Transit Time Differential Ultrasonic Flow Measurement - How It Works

Ultrasonic flow meter, transducer and control unit
Courtesy Flexim

The measure of flow is a pervasive task in fluid process control. There are several differing technologies employed for measuring fluid flow, each with its own set of performance and application attributes that might make it the advantageous choice for a particular operation.

Ultrasonic flow measurement uses several methods for determining the average velocity of a fluid. One of those methods employs the difference in the transit times of ultrasonic pulses travelling with the flow direction and against the flow direction. The flow velocity of the media will offset the transit times between the flow and counterflow measurements. The measured difference in transit times can be used to determine average flow velocity and, with additional processing, mass flow.

Ultrasonic flow meters are accurate and provide repeatable results, making them suitable for custody transfer operations, as well as many other process control applications. Little maintenance is required and the units have no moving parts. Measurement instruments are available with in-line or clamp-on mounting, providing a high level of installation and application flexibility.

The short video below provides a clear explanation of how transit time difference measurement works. Share your flow measurement challenges and requirements with a product application expert, combining your process knowledge with their product expertise to develop effective solutions.

 

Use Nitrogen? How About Generating Your Own Supply?

Nitrogen is used extensively throughout industry

Nitrogen is utilized by industrial customers more than any other gas. In addition to being a part of every living thing on the planet, nitrogen is also the major component of atmospheric air at around 78% concentration.  It is incorporated as part of many compounds used to make a wide range of products. Nitrogen is also used as a cooling medium and as a means to isolate flammable or reactive compounds from oxygen.

There are several methods employed to generate or provide nitrogen, each with certain aspects making them advantageous to a certain range of applications. Convenience, reliability of supply, space, cost, energy consumption, purity, and a host of other factors can weigh on the decision for nitrogen supply.

Parker Balston, a globally recognized manufacturer of gas process equipment, authored a white paper making a case for considering in-house nitrogen generation for industrial processes. The article describes the three prevalent methods for producing highly purified nitrogen gas and compares their impact on the environment, as well as their suitability for users large and small.

The article, included below, is short and very informative, definitely worth reading. When considering your options for nitrogen supply, consider in-house production as a worthy alternative to the delivery of pressurized gas bottles. Share your requirements and challenges with a product application specialist, combining your process knowledge with their product expertise to develop an effective solution.

Comparison of Alternate Methods for Generating Nitrogen for Industrial Processing from Classic Controls, Inc.

Product Integrates Multiple Generator Condition Monitoring Functions in a Customized Unit

Multiple generator monitoring functions consolidated
in a single integrated console.
Courtesy E/One Utility Systems

Electric power generation involves enormous investment in fixed equipment operating at conditions requiring precision control of many variables. The availability of accurate real-time generator monitoring information can be the key element in maintaining precision equipment in good operating condition and avoiding downtime caused by failure.

E/One Utility Systems designs and manufactures a generator monitoring system combining multiple functions into a consolidated unit, fully engineered and coordinated for each application. Each customer can choose to incorporate functions as needed for their installation.

• Generator Auxiliary System
• Generator Gas Analyzer
• Generator Condition Monitor
• Generator Gas Dryer
• Auxiliary Systems

This flexible and cost efficient approach to gas monitoring and control systems for electric power generators capitalizes on the use of pre-engineered modules to reduce installation and on-site engineering burden.

More information is provided in the document below. Share your power generator monitoring and control challenges with product specialists and work together to develop effective solutions.

E/One Gas Station Integrates Multiple Generator Equipment Monitoring Functions from Classic Controls, Inc.

Asset Condition Monitoring Can Reduce Unplanned Outages and Improve Profitability

Model 3500 Rack Mount Monitoring Unit
Courtesy GE Bently Nevada

Lost industrial production and unplanned plant outages can be unbelievably costly.

Asset condition monitoring, as the name implies, is the process of continually monitoring a machine or piece of equipment with the intent to predict mechanical wear or failure point. Key indicators of failing equipment are changing values in vibration, noise, and temperature, all of which are measurable with the right equipment. Monitoring these variables, key indicators of machine operating health, provides valuable data which can be analyzed. By evaluating trends in the data, intelligent systems can provide useful information about the equipment and asset, such as early detection of possible faults or failures. The goal is to take preventative, less costly, measures, rather than clean up after an outright failure.

Continuously monitoring critical asset parameters such as vibration, temperature, speed, and numerous other condition indicators is a proven method for anticipating and preventing mechanical failures—proven in tens of thousands of industrial facilities around the world by delivering tangible benefits such as:

• Improved protection from catastrophic failures
• Better machinery reliability/availability
• Fewer process interruptions
• Enhanced maintenance/outage planning
• Lower maintenance and repair costs
• Longer intervals between outages
• Reduced insurance premiums

Implementation of asset condition monitoring is benefiting manufacturing plants and process industries such as chemical, petrochemical, pulp & paper, power generation, wind turbines, and oil & gas. Not only can it save money from protecting against unplanned outages, but condition monitoring also improves productivity, quality, and profitability.

GE's Bently Nevada 3500 Monitoring System provides continuous, online monitoring suitable for machinery protection and asset condition monitoring applications. It represents a capable and flexible system in a traditional rack-based design, offering numerous features and advantages not provided in other systems.

Share your equipment monitoring requirements and challenges, large and small, with application specialists. The combination of your process and facilities knowledge, with their product application expertise, will produce effective solutions.

Industrial Machinery and Asset Condition Monitoring from Classic Controls, Inc.

The Focus of 80 GHz Radar Level Instruments Applied to Bulk Solids

VegaPuls 69 - 80 GHz radar level transmitter for bulk solids
Courtesy VEGA

Level measurement of  bulk solids presents a range of challenges to process designers and operators. One instrument manufacturer, VEGA, has produced a video demonstrating a distinct advantage of utilizing 80 GHz radar level transmitters instead of those with lower operating frequencies. The demonstration shows actual instruments in use, along with displays of the actual output from the device. You should find it useful.

VEGA manufactures a wide range of instruments for measuring level, interface, density, and pressure for process control applications. Share your process measurement challenges with product application specialists, and combine your process knowledge with their product expertise to develop effective solutions.