Posted on: June 14, 2017 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

It is always essential to identify the right type of flow meter for a process or plant. Choosing flow meters to measure flow rates can be a daunting task. There are various factors that need to be considered such as the type of fluid, application environment, technology, parameters like pressure and temperature, accuracy requirements, installation, reliability and maintenance.

Some flow meters are more suitable for clean water rather than waste water environments. Others offer more accuracy while some require less maintenance and last longer. This is why you need to have a clear understanding of what you need for your situation.

Looking Beyond Costs

When selecting a flow meter, all criteria should be considered instead of paying attention to one aspect such as cost. Focusing on a low-cost purchase alone may cause you to overlook essential features like performance, life cycles and cost of maintenance. It is important to consider the overall cost of owing the device, which accounts for the purchase price, installation, calibration and maintenance.

There are cases where an affordable flow meter with basic features can handle the job. This works for situations that involve simple applications and performance is not crucial. However, for many processes and plants, sophisticated solutions are highly sought after.

Applications and Specifications

Develop an evaluation tool when you want to choose flow meters. This is a good way to make comparisons between applications and specifications. Invest some time in comparing different flow meters to particular criteria. This will enable you to fully understand the type of fluid that will be measured and the plant or process environment within which the flow meter will operate.

Requirements

  • Proper management requires accurate measurements and buying the wring meter is likely to be an expensive mistake. All measuring devices and methods need to be carefully selected, properly installed, utilized and maintained.
  • Monitoring the flow of fluid through vessels and pipes and regulating the total rate of production are among the applications that are considered for a flowmeter. Flow meters provide a cost-effective way to monitor applications with accurate and configurable solutions for tracking, recording and controlling processes.
  • The initial cost of the purchase is one only one aspect of flow meter operations. While the purchase and installation costs are essential, actual costs cover years of operation.

 

 

 

Operating Parameters

It is also important to consider operating parameters, which include temperature, pressure, fluids, flow rate, accuracy requirements and ease of use. The behavior of fluids under different or expected conditions also needs to be known.

Chemical Compatibility

Users should take chemical compatibility of fluids that will be measured with the materials of the flow meter into account. Flow meter components usually consist of gears, bearings, ceramic magnets and turbine. Such components need to be evaluated separately wile using dependable chemical compatibility tables.

Operating Conditions

Consider the system parameters or operating conditions where you plan to use the flow meter. Operating conditions include the possible presence if hydraulic shocks, stable temperature and whether the flow can exceed design rate.

Being aware of potential extremes of all the systems parameters will help to prevent problems and additional costs. Online resources are useful for reviewing a variety of flow meters and choosing the proper device according to your needs.

Bio

Carl Smith is a professional writer who has worked with various established organizations for more than a decade. He is passionate about information technology and the role that it continues to play in the dissemination of information. Visit the site for more about flowmeter.

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