How Does an Ultrasonic Flow Meter Work?
Industries such as oil and gas, chemical, pulp and paper, mining, and energy need to measure liquids and gasses without coming into contact with the materials. The requirement for non-contact flow measurement may be due to factors like hazardous conditions, low-pressure environments, or limitations on maintenance. Ultrasonic flow meters are ideal in these applications. This guide answers common questions about ultrasonic flow meters, such as: "How does an ultrasonic flow meter work?" and "What is an ultrasonic flow meter?"
What is an Ultrasonic Flow Meter?
An ultrasonic flow meter is an instrument that measures the flow rate of a liquid or gas. Ultrasonic flow meters are distinct because they use acoustic vibrations to non-intrusively measure the flow of the material. They are ideal for situations that require low maintenance, chemical compatibility, and low-pressure drops. Ultrasonic flow meters are non-invasive, meaning they do not come in contact with the material they measure.
How Does an Ultrasonic Flow Meter Work?
Ultrasonic flow meter technology is a non-contact means of measuring the velocity of a fluid. They are clamp-on devices that attach to the exterior of the pipe (and fit a variety of pipe sizes) and enable measurement of corrosive liquids without damage to the ultrasonic sensor.
There are three types of ultrasonic flow meters: Doppler, transit time, and hybrid flow meters.
Transit time ultrasonic flow meters measure the time it takes for an ultrasonic signal transmitted from one transducer to cross a pipe and be received by a second transducer Ultrasonic signals transmit between the transducers, flow is calculated by measuring the time the signals travel between the two transducers. T Withflow, the soundsmove will travel faster in the direction of the flow and slower against the flow. . If there is no flow, the signal travel time is the same in both directions.
Doppler ultrasonic flow meters use sound waves to measure a liquid or gas. When using a doppler Flow meter, a liquid process must contain gas bubbles or particulates. The transducer creates an ultrasonic signal that travels through the pipe's walls and into the flowing liquid or gas. The reflected signal is detected by the receive transducer. The flow meter compares the transmit & receive frequencies & computes the frequency shift. This frequency shift is proportional to the liquid’s flow velocity & is known as the Doppler’s effect.
Hybrid ultrasonic flow meters cross-correlate data between upstream and downstream transducer sets to measure the flow. These types of flow meters help switch between modes like "clean" and "dirty" material measurement.
Ultrasonic Flow Meter Principles of Operation
The working principle of ultrasonic flow meter is, it uses sound waves to resolve the velocity of a liquid within a pipe. There are two conditions in the pipe like no flow and flowing. In the first condition, the frequencies of ultrasonic waves are transmitted into a pipe & its indications from the fluid are similar.
Choosing the Right Ultrasonic Flow Meter
Ultrasonic flow meters are ideal for applications requiring low-maintenance instrumentation with nopressure drop. They offer several advantages, including high temperature and high-pressure limits, flow measurement without obstruction. To choose a suitable ultrasonic flow meter, determine whether or not you need a portable or permanent device.
A portable, clamp-on-flow meter is ideal if the intended use includes servicing and maintenance activities. A portable ultrasonic flow meter like the FLUXUS F601 is designed for multifunctional use. Measurements are ready in less than 5 minutes, even under difficult flow conditions. The instrument offers a high degree of flexibility for energy metering, data logging, various In-/Outputs, and external pressure data recording. For portable gas flow measurement, the FLUXUS G601 offers maximum flexibility. This ultrasonic flow meter uses the transit-time correlation technique to measure bi-directional flow at operational and standard volume flows.
A permanent ultrasonic flow meter is ideal if the application requires continual monitoring. The FLUXUS F721 features a breakthrough hardware design and powerful digital signal processing for liquids. It surpasses any other non-intrusive ultrasonic flowmeter in terms of accuracy, reliability, and versatility. For gasses, the FLUXUS G721 is the comparable model.
Some industrial applications require specifically designed ultrasonic flow meters. Hydrocarbon processing requires a specific type of ultrasonic flow meter, and the FLEXUS H721 is an industry-leading model. The FLEXUS F808 is an ideal solution if the application involves hazardous materials.
Contact your TechStar expert for a full range of Ultrasonic liquid and gas flow meters. TechStar is your one stop shop for all your instrumentation and analytical products along with automation capabilities, including training and service. For a full range of TechStars Ultrasonic Flow Meter solutions, visit TechStar today.