Flow Meters
Devices used to take measurements of the flow rate of liquids, gases, or steam in a variety of industrial applications are called flow meters. For decades, the most widely used devices for this purpose have been the variable area (VA) or glass tube flow meter. In the last decade, however, more sophisticated devices with improved capabilities have come to dominate the marketplace. These smart devices measure the flow of fluids with great precision and offer a diverse set of features. They are referred to as smart flow meters and consist of mass flow meters, which measure the mass of the fluid to achieve the necessary level of precision, and volumetric flow meters.
Devices for measuring fluid flow—flow meters—are used to monitor flow rates and pressure in applications such as water treatment, chemical processing, and HVAC systems. They have been engineered to deliver continuous, reliable flow measurement with high accuracy and repeatability, even under demanding conditions.
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More Information about Flow Meters
Flow meters provide accurate flow measurements of fluids and gases over a very wide range of flow rates. The types of flow meters that are used most often in industry include orifice plate flow meters, ultrasonic flow meters, vortex flow meters, and magnetic flow meters. Each type of flow meter has its own characteristics and advantages, which make it suitable for particular applications.
When it comes to measuring liquids or gases, temperature, pressure, and the properties of the fluids being measured are the all-important variables that can—if not controlled—devastatingly impact the performance of an application. Flow meters are the unsung heroes in this regard. They govern improved process control, efficiency, and energy cost reductions in such crucial industries as oil and gas, water treatment, and manufacturing.
Mag Flow Meter Basics
Flow meters measure the flow of a substance through a pipe. Based on the size of the pipe, the flow meter measures the volume of the substance and how fast it is moving through the pipe.
Mag flow meters measure voltage levels of a liquid that is flowing through a pipe. The Mag flow meter is installed in line with the pipe and the diameter of the pipe should be the exact same size as the pipe carrying the liquid. Within the flow meter piping, there are two field coils located on opposite sides of each other. These field coils will generate an electromagnetic field over the entire cross section of the measuring pipe of the flow meter. Two electrodes that measure voltage are installed in the flow meter on opposite sides of the field coils. These electrodes measure any voltage present in the fluid flowing through the mag flow meter. When fluid starts to flow through the meter, the electromagnetic field will apply a force to the charged particles in the fluid. The positively and negatively charged particles begin to collect on opposite sides of the flow meter piping, forming an electrical voltage. The voltage will be directly proportional to the flow moving through the piping. The higher the voltage, the higher the flow velocity in the pipe. With this information, as well as the cross-sectional size of the pipe, the total volume of fluid that is flowing through the pipe can be calculated.