Flow Rate
Ultrasonic Flow Meter – Some Basic Principles
Ultrasonic flow meter technology has much improved over the last few years and now forms a viable flow measurement technique compared to other methods such as turbine and electromagnetic type systems. The first Doppler ultrasonic flow meter units became available in the early 70’s. To begin with, as with all new technologies they were not very accurate, difficult to install and costly. However, the newest Time of Flight ultrasonic flow meter and Doppler types are proving to be both reliable and accurate. Accuracy has improved significantly with most ultrasonic flow meter manufacturers claiming 0.5% accuracy if the meters are correctly installed.
With these two technologies, which ultrasonic flow meter should you use?
Although Doppler ultrasonic flow meters use an older technology, they are ideal for liquids with air bubbles or slurries with significant solid particles. They determine the flow using the Doppler shift method, by measuring the change in frequency created by an object moving towards, or away from the measurement point. Normally liquids with a minimum of 100ppm concentration at 100microns particle size or bigger would be suitable for a Doppler ultrasonic flow meter. One stumbling block of most Doppler ultrasonic flow meter systems is that they are less accurate in low flow conditions.
A transit time ultrasonic flow meter is ideal for clean fluids such as water and oil. These meters are more advanced than Doppler ultrasonic flow meter types due to the advanced calculations used to determine the flow rate. Two transducers are used, the first sends an acoustic signal which is bounced off of the bottom of the pipe, the second transducer receives the signal. The ultrasonic flow meter is then able to determine flow by calculating the time it takes to receive the signal.
Portable ultrasonic flow meter kits are now available for plant wide surveys with minimal fuss and no down time. The first portable ultrasonic flow meter units were heavy and quite large, basically a luggable design. As ultrasonic flow meter design has improved over time, the instruments have become much smaller, lighter and more power efficient and are truly hand portable. Also many ultrasonic flow meter models now have integral data loggers, allowing the user to leave the meter on site so it can record average flow rates and flow totals.
An ultrasonic flow meter will be most accurate when fitted on a long, straight piece of pipe, free from obstructions such as elbows and valves. Also, any rusty pipes should be cleaned before using an ultrasonic flow meter. Ultrasonic jelly should also be smeared under the sensor to ensure a solid contact on the pipe.
The biggest advantage to using an ultrasonic flow meter is maintenance. Older insertion meters usually require the plant to be shut down while installing. However an ultrasonic flow meter can be installed without stopping the process. Also as an ultrasonic flow meter has no moving parts it cannot wear out.
Both Doppler and transit time portable ultrasonic flow meter kits are available from Omni Instruments for hire or purchase.
By Richard Burgess
OmniInstruments.net
———
About the Author
Jim Furness is CEO of Omniinstruments Ltd, specialists in data logger and other instrumentation solutions such as Ultrasonic Flow Meter.
EK-BAY SPIN Reservoir Flow Rate Tests
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Lockheed L-1011 Aircraft Rate Of Fuel Flow Indicator P/N 8DJ170LWA1 $35.00 |
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(2) Rate Flow Regulators Braun, IV., #V5922, NEW, Sealed, Exp 3-2013, Medical, $28.50 |
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FLOW RATE TRANSDUCER Aviation Parts $59.99 |
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Waterway spa Super Hi Flo COVER suction 5″in 642-3630V $9.99 |
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01-10 Chevy / GMC Duramax Diesel FASS HD Series Fuel System – Flow Rate 260 gph $877.80 |
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01-10 Chevy / GMC Duramax Diesel FASS HD Series Fuel System – Flow Rate 150 gph $687.80 |
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01-10 Chevy / GMC Duramax Diesel FASS HD Series Fuel System – Flow Rate 220 gph $854.05 |
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High Flow Rate Dispensing Peristaltic Pump + 2 pump heads, Brand New w/ Warranty $1,300.00 |
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MAX MACHINERY INC MAX 710-205 b645036 10 FLOW RATE & TOTAL INDICATOR $750.00 |
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WATER SHO RATE FLOW METER 1.0-4.0 GPM 100PSI MAX @160F 48456 $29.99 |
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BROOKS 1358CC1C1CAS 8810-3G2B1CC SHO RATE WATER FLOW METER 0.2-2.5 GPM LPT 48455 $49.99 |
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High Flow Rate Dispensing Peristaltic Pump, Brand New w/ Warranty $1,175.00 |
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110V AC PIUSI PANTHER 56 DIESEL PUMP. FLOW RATE – 15.GPM $222.04 |
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CKD-Solenoid VacuumValve withHigh Flow Rate-HVB51-12F-5 $39.95 |
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MICRO MOTION FLOW SENSOR, REMOTE TRANS. DIG RATE TOTA $1,999.99 |
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HEDLAND STAINLESS FLOWMETER 1/2” FLOW RATE .3 TO 2.0 $199.99 |
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NEW Dr Weil Baby Silicone BPA FREE Nipples-Choice of Flow Rate $9.99 |
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100L/min Flow Rate Air Pneumatic Pressure Regulator $25.45 |
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DURANT/EATON DIGITAL RATEMETER TOTALIZER FLOW RATE METER 57751-426 (S5-4-106) $17.99 |
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DURANT/EATON DIGITAL RATEMETER TOTALIZER FLOW RATE METER 57751-426 (S5-4-106) $19.99 |
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Lake Monitors Visi-Rate Model VRB-BH-05 Flow Monitor $24.99 |
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1994-1998 Dodge Cummins 45 PSI FASS Fuel System 220gph flow rate $892.05 |
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1994-1998 Dodge Cummins 45 PSI FASS Fuel System 90gph flow rate $787.55 |
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1994-1998 Dodge Cummins FASS Fuel System 95gph flow rate $493.05 |
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New Brooks Sho-Rate Purge Flow Meter, 1355EHB3CJA1H $148.00 |
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BROOKS INSTRUMENT 1355EH1BCNG1B SHO-RATE 0-150MM FLOW METER ***NNB*** $229.00 |
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BROOKS INSTRUMENT 1355FHJ8CNG1B SHO-RATE 7.74-77.4MM FLOW METER ***NNB*** $199.00 |
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Hoffer Flow Rate Indicating Meter – P/N ACC32-2-C-D-X-2 $140.00 |
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Flow Rate Indicating Meter – P/N – C11838B $299.00 |
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Brooks Sho-Rate 1358CB1B1CAA Flowmeter flow sight NEW $250.00 |
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PTI FILTER MODEL # FXMO 10 HG-BLOUHN, MAX PSI 4000, MON. FLOW RATE 10 GPM, NNB $100.00 |
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360degree H flow rate nipple’s poultry,chicken drinker $1.56 |
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