Liquid Flow Meter: The Best Water Quality Instrumentation

Today, it has become of great importance to measure liquid flow rate in a dependable, precise, and even economical way. If you are running an industry, a liquid flow meter will help quantify the monitored fluid and detect leakages that can assist in stopping wastage. So, you need to get accurate results when it comes to flow rates. Any incorrect flow rate data from an erroneous liquid flow meter will lead to significant losses.

But why get losses from inaccurate fluid flow rates when many devices in the market have made flow measurements easy and possible? Just understand the nature of the fluid to be monitored and go for a suitable liquid flow meter. The best device for your application will solve all flow metering issues in your industry.

You will find many types of liquid flow meters in the market, but not all of them will suit your unique application. To get the most appropriate flow meter, you will have to consider various factors. These include understanding characteristics of the liquid-like viscosity, temperature, and pressure. It's also important to compare both buying and installation costs of the liquid flow meter before settling on a particular device.

Significant types of liquid flow meter devices you may consider

A differential pressure flow meter

It's one of the most common flow meters used in industries today. The DP flowmeter consists of primary and secondary components. Within the primary component, the kinetic energy is changed, while the second part measures the differential pressure. In that process, a signal is produced that helps to gauge the flow rate. You can always use the DP liquid flow meter for both routine and highly essential liquid measurements.

Many designs of DP liquid flow meters are available, but they vary based on application. Do you seek to measure the flow rate of liquids with high pressure? You can go for a liquid flow meter with a metallic body to withstand high pressure. Some meters are fitted with magnet-powered indicators, while others have tubes lined with PTFE to help measure the flow rate of corrosive fluids. A low flow switch with a single set-point for activating home water heaters may also suit your application. So, you have many options when it comes to a liquid flow meter.

The differential pressure flow meters are fitted with installation piping and can tolerate some dirt in the flow. That's is possible because of an aperture that opens wider based availability of pressure in the flow system.

Electromagnetic and ultrasonic flowmeters

When choosing a liquid flow meter, it's vital to look for a device that doesn't obstruct fluid flow along the pipe. That will help to avoid pressure drop, which affects the accuracy of the liquid flow rate. With ultrasonic and electromagnetic flow meters, you will achieve such an aim with ease.

The electromagnetic type of liquid flow meter has a high ratio of minimum to maximum controllable flow. Besides, it comes with a full array of pipe diameters, reduced energy consumption, and low-pressure drop. These benefits make it the best liquid flow meter to measure paper pulp, sewage, and slurries.

Have you decided to buy the ultrasonic flow meter? It uses sound pulses to gauge the rate of fluid flow. The meter applies transducers to pass ultrasound pulses that move with and against the channel of fluid flow. So, the difference in time between the two pulses gives the needed flow rate.

Mass flowmeters

While other liquid flow meters measure volume or velocity and use electronics to change velocity to volume flow, the mass flow meter works differently. It measures mass flow instead of calculating it. Furthermore, you can use a mass flow meter to independently measure the fluid's density and use the results to calculate volume flow. You can rely on mass flow meters for accurate results when it comes to flow rate.

Among the benefits of using a mass flow meter is that it is a self-draining device. Besides, the meter doesn't need an inlet nor outlet. Many other flow meters are affected by a change in pressure and temperature. But the mass flow meters will always give accurate results despite the difference in the fluid characteristics.

Vortex liquid flow meter

This flow meter uses natural oscillations from fluids that flow past a blockage to measure the flow rate. Once water flows through the bluff, vortices are produced, but the frequency of generating the vortices depends on the bluff body's shape and size. If you seek to buy a liquid flow meter with a low maintenance cost, you can try vortex devices. It has no moving parts, which minimizes tear and wear.

Besides the low cost of maintaining a vortex flow meter, you will enjoy long-term accuracy results. Even when the thermal parameters of the monitored fluid change, the volumetric flow rate of the vortex device is not affected.

Positive displacement flow meters

The PD liquid flow meters measure flow rate by examining the amount of liquid passing from the inlet and goes out through the outlet. For an accurate flow rate to be determined when using this flow meter, there should be no loss or spillage in the system. If the fluid you intend to measure is of high viscosity, the PD flow meter will be the most appropriate to use. You can depend on this type of meter for accurate results. But the liquid monitored should not have solid materials. String matter may also make the internal mechanism jam which affects the accuracy of the flow rate.

Conclusion

A liquid flow meter offers a unique solution to flow metering problems. Whether you are operating an industry or seek to monitor water usage at home, a suitable flow meter device will give an accurate flow rate. Many types of flow meters are available and work differently. Ensure to inquire from your supplier before the final decision of any specific flow meter.