Picking the correct and fitting flow meter is vital for productive business operations and business processes.
Flow meters are leveraged by flow measurement experts to give results in many industrial applications, especially where precision and exactness is paramount. With that said, it is imperative to consider a few things before you decide on getting one.
Other than picking the correct flow meter, keep in mind that flow meter calibration is quintessential. Without it, there’s no guarantee that the results are accurate even if you use the best flow meter in your application. For a little help, here are tips to consider before picking a flow meter. Read on!
Know the Reason Why You Need A Flow Meter
As we’ve said, there are many flow meter options available in the market today, including open channel flow meters. The first thing to consider when choosing a flow meter is to learn why you need one.
You cannot just get one without knowing why you need it. The generally known applications for a flow meter includes real-time monitoring on the fluid flowing through a vessel or pipe. If a one-off, a simple test is all that’s needed, a vessel wherein the fluid can flow through, a stopwatch and a set of scales might be all you need to obtain the accuracy desired.
Likewise, the flow rate can be measured through a tapered tube with a simple float. However, this would require you with constant observation. Most companies get flow meters as they’re an economical option for flow measurement monitoring applications.
A flow meter provides a configurable, accurate solution which can record and monitor. Plus, it requires minimal attention.
Total Life Cost
The purchase cost is just one component of the fees of getting a flow meter. For instance, a turbine flow meter could be affordable to buy and install. However, the actual expenses might need to be thought about over the years of operation.
How many times will your operations have to disable while the flow meter is being re-calibrated? It might well be that a non-intrusive flow meter will be more affordable over the years in spite of the initial purchase price.
In cases where a product having a limited life, uses a flow meter, then a costly device might be effective. It’s crucial to keep in mind that selecting a flow meter is part of the overall costing and project design.
Operating Principles
Of course, the flow meter selection will rely on the accuracy, temperature, line pressure, ease of use, and flow rate requirements of your application. Additionally, it’s critical to know the behavior of the fluid under all conditions.
Chemical Compatibility
It’s extremely crucial to be certain that the fluid to be gauged or calculated is chemically compatible or suited with the components of the flow meter. Keep all the materials of the flow meter in mind, not only the body.
For the most part, a flow measurement device comprises bearings, embedded ceramic magnets, gears, a turbine, a rotor, an O-ring, and many more. All of these could potentially be affected by or affect the fluids that flow through.
Examine each material of the flow meter against a chemical compatibility table. Go over it the second time to ensure long-term durability.
System Parameters
Choosing the right flow meter will also depend on the application or system it’ll be part of. Is the pipeline cleaned? Does the air blow required during the process? Is the temperature well-balanced? Can the actual flow surpass the design rate? Are hydraulic shocks required?
If there are any changes or alterations in the process which would need a lower or higher flow range, could this be fulfilled with a single flow meter? Consideration and awareness of all the possible extremes of your system parameters can help you save expense and inconvenience later on.
Installation
Lastly, when choosing a flow meter, you must consider or think about the installation. You should know how and where the flow meter will be mounted because it can dramatically influence the precision and effectiveness of the device.
Consider the kind of flow meter you choose and if it would be influenced by any barriers in the vessel like bends that could create any interference in the flow. Installing the flow meter the right way will produce more precise results, and you’ll save more money as well.
Takeaway
Choosing, applying, and maintaining a flow meter device does not need to be intricate or difficult. There are a few considerations that you need to keep in mind to make the selection process much easier. The tips outlined in this article will surely help you out.
Author’s Bio:
Sylvia Hopkins is a writer and a blogger who specializes in email marketing campaigns and ghost blogging. She writes about flow measurement instrumentation, flow measurement application, and technology. When not working, Sylvia spends some quality time with her family and friends.