The Complete Guide to Volumetric Flow Rate

In industrial systems that involve fluids, flow measurement is quite vital. It helps users with information that will help to create effective products. Devices used to measure flow rate are called flow meters. These instruments are commonly used in pumps and valves. Anyone choosing to buy a glow meter needs to consider a few factors first.

Depending on what you want to measure in the flow rate, you can choose from several types of flow meters. Each meter has its benefits and drawbacks. Today, we are going to focus on volumetric flow rate, and the types of flow meters used to measure this unit. Before discussing that, let’s first look at several kinds of flow meters.

Flow Meter Technologies

When you need to get accurate reports and readings of flow rates, you need flow meters to measure, monitor, and control the flow rate in fluids. Meters are configured based on what they are going to measure. To optimize flow meter performance, it must be deployed properly. Let’s look at some of these flow meters.

Different Types of Flow Meter

Coriolis Flow Meter

This type of flow meter is used to measure fluid mass accurately in a different range of temperatures. Coriolis flowmeters are designed with an open flow design that is not obstructive, making it easy to measure flow rates in viscous fluids that are not conductive. The moment the user sets this meter up, little maintenance is needed since it doesn’t have to move internal parts.

Electromagnetic Flow Meter

With an electromagnetic flow meter, a user can measure any type of slurry or conductive fluids. This kind of flow meter also gives excellent repeatability, high turndown, and low-pressure drop. It is not affected by viscosity, pressure, and temperature if set up or used correctly. There is no flow obstruction and no moving parts.

Positive Displacement Meter

When measuring low flows, this meter is quite accurate. The cost of maintenance is low in this flow meter since it has only two moving parts. Compared to other flow meters, this one doesn’t need straight pipes.

Thermal mass

For low-cost flow meters, this type of meter will do quite fine. This flow meter is meant to measure clean gases with specific heat capacity and low-pressure gases that can’t be measured by a Coriolis flow meter.

Flow Meters Used to Measure Volumetric Flow Rate

There are two categories of flow meters used in industries. We have flow meters used for measuring mass and those used for measuring volumetric flow rate. Volumetric flow rate meters measure fluids passing through a given volume per unit of time. On the other hand, the mass flow rate refers to flow movement in a given time. Readings are given by the cross-sectional area, density, and velocity of the liquid flow. Here are examples of volumetric flow meters:

– Turbine Flow Meter

This is an ideal type of flow meter used to measure fluids that require high Accuracy, repeatable measurements, and fluids with high turnouts. This flow meter type is used to measure the volumetric flow rate since they produce a high-resolution pulse rate output signal. This signal is proportional to fluid velocity. A turbine flow meter is only meant to measure clean fluids, and they also require frequent service and recalibration.

– Oval Gear Flow Meter

This type of volumetric flow meter is among the latest in the market currently. It can measure the fluid’s actual volume directly. It has an extended viscosity range, a wide flow range, and minimal pressure drop. With an oval gear flow meter, a user can measure viscous and caustic liquids with high temperature and Accuracy.

– ImpellerFlow Meter

An impeller flow meter is suitable for measuring a large diameter water distribution system. This flow meter has attributes such as measuring directly volumetric flow rate with the aid of a visual indicator, universal mounting, fast response with good repeatability, and low cost.

What Criteria is Used to Identify Flow Meters

Before selecting a flow meter, there are criteria you need to observe. Some of them include the liquid’s flow profile, characteristics, Accuracy, and flow range. The user’s pick is also affected by output connectivity and mechanical restrictions. The key factors to be observed selecting a flow meter include:

Desired Accuracy What specifies the Accuracy of a flow meter is the percentage of actual reading (AR), or percentage of full-scale (FS), percentage of calibrated span (CS) units. It is usually given as the maximum, normal, and minimum flow rates. The user needs to understand these requirements clearly to get proper readings when the flow meter is working in full range.

– Process Media

Liquids and gases are classified as fluids. What separates liquids and gases is their relative compressibility. Gases are highly compressible compared to liquids. When measuring gas or changing its state while processing, you need a specific flow meter that can read substances in both statuses.

– Setting Up Requirements

A lot goes into setting up a flow meter. The user needs to know the line size, pipe direction, and flange-pressure rating, material of construction. When installing a flow meter, complications due to equipment accessibility can happen; therefore, the user needs to identify this also.

– Flow Rate Information

Determining whether the flow rate data is totalized or continuous is a vital factor when choosing a flow meter. Flow rate should provide vital reports of a liquid or gas flowing a channel or pipe in a given time.

Conclusion

When measuring the volumetric flow rate in fluids, you need to have proper monitoring and controlling devices. Fortunately, these flow meters are categorized according to the application, type of fluid, and the nature of the fluid. We trust that you are going to consider these factors when selecting proper flow meters as it will determine whether the flow meter works as desired or not in that specific industry.