Are you in control of your flow measurement?

From heat supply over food production to cooling systems and life science, flow measurement is more important than ever before.

Enhanced safety procedures, process optimization, increased demands for quality and environmental impact are just some of the factors that make flow measurement a necessary measure in most industrial applications.

Flow measurement is a complex matter

Many technologies have been used over time to measure flow. Many have been discontinued, and many new ones have emerged. However, the fundamental principle of flow measurement is a determination of the flow of a medium in either a closed or open environment. This in itself sounds like a simple maneuver, but the fact is that flow measurement is as complex a matter as the application on which the meter is installed.

Therefore, there are a multitude of things to consider when choosing the right flow meter. Below, we have listed some of the most important criteria regarding the choice of flow meter.

Media in flow

Which flow meter will be ideal for your application primarily depends on which medium you need to measure. For it is not irrelevant whether it is liquids, gases, or compressed air. None of the technologies used for flow measurement are capable of measuring all media with all outputs and similarly low uncertainty.

Furthermore, the nature of the medium must always be considered. Depending on whether the medium has high or low viscosity, is conductive or non-conductive, aggressive or non-aggressive, the affected parts must naturally be able to handle the medium.

Volume or mass flow?

A flow meter determines, as mentioned, the movement of different media in, for example, pipe installations. Some flow meters are thus designed to measure the speed of the substance, others its volume, while others measure mass flow. Which output you need to measure depends on your application.

Overall, there is a distinction between two types of flow measurement: volume and mass flow. Volume is most often measured in l/s, l/h, or m3/h, while mass flow is measured in either kg/h or t/h.

Uncertainties and calibration of your flow meter

All flow measurement is associated with a degree of uncertainty. Therefore, it is not only important to choose the right meter. It is also essential to ensure that your flow meter is maintained correctly. Regular calibration is, in this context, crucial.

In addition to the above, it is also important to ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you need a local or external display on the flow meter?
• What outputs should your flow meter have: analog, digital, pulse, frequency, and/or alarms?
• What is the min/max flow, pressure, and temperature?
• Which pipe dimension should the meter be installed in? And what is the distance to various bends?
• Can the flow meter be mounted directly on the pipeline, or should it be mounted as clamp-on?
• What IP rating should your meter have?
• Do you need a meter that is ATEX approved?

The choice of flow meter is therefore never a question of asking the right question, but a question of asking all the right ones! Fortunately, at Hans Buch A/S, we are always more than ready to guide you regardless of the nature of flow measurement.