Which are the different types of flow meters?

Answer 1

Differential Pressure Flow Meters – Refinery and oil and gas industries are largely dependent on differential pressure flow meters for their liquid flow measurement applications. Like many other flow meter equipment, this unit also contains a primary and a secondary element. The purpose of the primary element is to introduce a constriction in the pipe that contains liquid. As a result of this constriction, differential pressure is created in the pipe. The secondary element in the unit measures this pressure differential, and accordingly determines the fluid flow. The fluid flow rate is then displayed on the monitor.Differential pressure meters are available in several types. These include; orifices, venturi tubes, flow tubes, flow nozzles, elbow-tap meters, target meters, and variable-area meters. Application users must select the right type after analyzing the pipe’s size, flow conditions, and nature of liquids.

Positive Displacement Flow Meters – This flow meter type offers unmatched service for measuring the flow of viscous liquids. It is brilliantly designed to directly measure the liquid flow as and when it passes through the flow meter. The unit entraps fluid when it is moving through the flow meter. This equipment is ideal to measure the flow of petrochemicals, adhesives, and paints.Some of the advantages associated with this unit include: high accuracy, low pressure drop, self-contained operation, low operating costs, and long service life. Positive displacement flow meters are largely utilized for precision flow meter applications in chemical, power, pharmaceutical, and food processing industries.There are several types of displacement flow meters available for industry specific applications. These include, reciprocating piston, oval gear, nutating disk, and rotary vane meters.

Velocity Flow Meters – These types of flow meters are largely procured for applications in power generation, waste water treatment, chemical and refinery industries. They can be directly connected to pipelines to operate linearly with respect to the flow rate. Directly attached to pipelines, these units are supplied with flanges or fittings. Some of the advantages of these units include: fixed pressure loss at all flow rates, outstanding accuracy when used with low-viscous fluids, reliable operation over a wide range of pressures and temperatures.Velocity meters are available in several types. These include, turbine and paddle wheel, ultrasonic, electromagnetic, vortex-shedding, and Doppler ultra-sonic flow meters.

Mass Flow Meters – When precise measurement of mass rate of a liquid is your requirement, then mass flow meters are the ideal solution. Unlike differential pressure meters, which measure volumetric flow, this unit measures the mass rate of the flow in a pipe. These flow meters are largely used for measuring liquids whose viscosities vary with velocity. Some of the advantages of these systems include: reliable operation over a wide range of pressures and temperatures, and extremely high accuracy.Mass flow meters are available in two types, namely, coriolis and thermal-type mass flow meters.

Open Channel Meters – As the name implies, these types are ideal for measuring liquid flow in open channels. These units enable continuous and precise flow rate monitoring in tunnels, partially filled pipes, canals, streams, and rivers. Some of the advantages associated with these units include, versatile modular system, unparalleled accuracy, easy-to-install design.