Clamp-on Ultrasonic Flow Measurement

Clamp-on ultrasonic flow measurement is a non-invasive technique to measure the flow rate of liquids, gases, and steam in pipes without cutting into the line or interrupting the flow. In this method, ultrasonic transducers clamp onto the outside of the tube, and they emit and receive ultrasonic waves that travel through the pipe wall and into the flowing fluid.

The ultrasonic flow meter works based on the principle of the Doppler effect, which states that the frequency of a wave changes when the source and receiver move relative to each other. The ultrasonic transducers emit high-frequency sound waves that travel through the pipe wall and into the fluid flowing inside the pipe. These waves reflect to the transducers when they encounter particles in the fluid, such as bubbles or solid particles.

When the fluid is moving, the frequency of the sound waves changes slightly due to the Doppler effect. The speed and direction of the fluid flow are determined by measuring the frequency shift of the reflected waves. The ultrasonic flow meter uses this information to calculate the velocity of the fluid and, ultimately, the flow rate.

Clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters are versatile and used in various applications, including liquid flow measurement in water treatment, wastewater treatment, and chemical processing. They also measure gas flow rates in pipelines and are often in the oil and gas industry for custody transfer applications.

One of the benefits of clamp-on ultrasonic flow measurement is that it is non-intrusive and does not require any cutting or drilling into the pipe, making installation more accessible and less disruptive to ongoing operations. Additionally, the lack of moving parts in the flow meter reduces the need for maintenance and calibration.

FLEXIM is a company that specializes in designing and manufacturing a variety of non-intrusive ultrasonic flowmeters for both liquid and gas. They offer different types of flowmeters, including the permanent FLUXUS, which is available in a wide range of models and configurations, such as Mass and Thermal Energy Measurement Systems. Additionally, they have the F601 portable flowmeter and the FLUXUS H20 family of portable flowmeters designed explicitly for municipal applications.

Classic Controls, Inc.

https://classiccontrols.com

+1 863-644-3642

FLEXIM's Disturbance Correction Overcomes Challenging Straight Run Requirements

In the often limited space of industrial process plants, recommended straight-run requirements can be challenging to find. Due to restricted pipework, it's not always possible to carry out the optimum installation as advised, away from valves, bends, and other inline components that could cause excessive and problematic turbulence. Clamp-on flow meters usually require an inlet length of at least ten diameters for accurate measurement. 

Thanks to FLEXIM's disturbance correction, good accuracy is achieved even at non-ideal in-flow conditions reducing the required inlet length from 10 diameters to just two diameters. This innovation means installation happens in even the tightest spaces without process interruption. The disturbance correction is applicable for all path configurations compensating for cross flow. These are reflect-path and cross-path configurations. 

As part of the development, FLEXIM collaborated with the highly respected PTB on a research project focusing on the exact determination of flow profiles and how they influence the measuring accuracy of clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeters. Calibration determined the disturbance corrections implemented in the meter, firstly under undisturbed conditions and then under disturbed conditions. This allowed the disturbance correction to be obtained from the ratio of the two results, and the procedure was repeated for all types of disturbance that require a correction function to be put in place. Following correction, the uncertainty depends on the number of measurement planes installed, the distance to the disturbance, and its character. 

Analyzed by CFD, the effect of different bend radiuses found in industrial piping is included in the uncertainty. The disturbance correction applies to all fluids, no matter their state of aggregation or the diameter of the pipe. And although the disturbance correction is optimized for 90-degree bends and double bends, it also improves the accuracy of other types of disturbances. Because FLEXIM's flow disturbance correction reduces the required inlet length from 10 diameters to just two diameters, accurate measurements are guaranteed, even with non-ideal installation conditions. Maximum flexibility and cost savings are delivered for both planners and users alike.

Classic Controls, Inc.

https://classiccontrols.com

+1 863-644-3642

FLEXIM’s Thermal Energy Meters Support Your Efforts Towards More Energy Efficient Buildings and Facilities

Reducing energy consumption and costs is a significant priority for all industries. Energy efficiency usage has never been more critical than now, whether to meet energy regulations and standards or to improve the company's carbon footprint and bottom line. 

ISO 50001 or EMAS Energy Management Systems are the most powerful organizational tools for achieving efficiency. However, implementing and maintaining an energy management system can be challenging to obtain accurate energy consumption data. 

Measuring is the first step toward achieving efficiency. 

To improve efficiency, it is necessary first to assess the current situation. Measurement entails data points to learn about the energy flows from the boilers, chillers, and air handlers that serve the system's consumers. 

Installing data acquisition tools can become a massive and even overwhelming task given the various types of energy flows in heating and cooling systems, compressed air lines, steam supply, and high-temperature heat transfer oils. Each has its own set of characteristics and requirements when it comes to metering systems. 

The Transit Time Measuring Principle – One for All 

The ultrasonic, non-invasive transit time principle FLEXIM is the ideal solution for all of these tasks. This measuring principle is a one-size-fits-all solution because it applies to liquids, gases, and steam and can handle temperatures ranging from -40°F to 465°F and even higher.

LEARN MORE ABOUT FLEXIM ENERGY MANAGEMENT HERE

Classic Controls
https://classiccontrols.com
+1 863-644-3642

Non-Invasive Flow Measurement of High-Temperature Steam

The FLUXUS ST-HT is the world's first and only clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeter for high-temperature steam. The new measuring system precisely records volume and mass flow rates of saturated and superheated steam at 750 °F. 

FLUXUS ST-HT is a non-invasive steam flow sensor. Using simple clamp-on ultrasonic transducers, installing and testing in minimal time and no pipe penetrations are required. Non-invasive steam flow measurement means measuring flow without breaking the integrity of the pipe. 

The FLUXUS ST-HT, an extension of FLEXIM's existing steam flow meter FLUXUS ST, offers a wide turndown ratio up to 25:1. It has exceptionally high measuring dynamics and functions independently of the flow direction. While the FLUXUS ST can withstand temperatures up to 360 °F, the new FLUXUS ST-HT can be used up to 750 °F in pipes up to 35.5" in diameter. 

For more information contact Classic Controls. Call them at 863-644-3642 or visit their website at https://classiccontrols.com.

Stationary Ultrasonic Clamp-On System for Flow Measurement of Compressed Air and Other Industrial Gases

Compressed air is a costly source of energy due to its efficiency. For each joule of mechanical work performed with a pneumatic instrument, it takes approximately 20 times the electrical power to produce and store the air. However, despite this low yield, compressed air is indispensable in many industries due to its production-related advantages, which makes it all the more crucial that the compressed air's use is as efficient as possible.

Calculation of energy use is essential. By accurately detecting current air volume flow, a device's pneumatic components can be assessed cost-effectively by quickly and accurately identifying potential overloads (such as when air velocities are too high) or piping network malfunctions. The precise distribution of consumption proportions to individual output stages provides possibilities for fact-based, economic decisions. Moreover, the volume-flow calculation shows the amount of compressed air lost due to leaks – a significant financial consideration - as every third air compressor in place is only there to compensate for air losses.

The compressed air flow meter FLUXUS G721 CA from FLEXIM is the perfect solution. FLEXIM's non-invasive clamp-on ultrasonic technology is remarkable in that it works at low pressures (down to 3bar on steel lines and atmospheric pressure on plastic pipes).  The FLUXUS G721 CA reliably captures minimal flow rates, allowing the discovery of the smallest leaks.

In Florida call Classic Controls to discuss any compressed air or gas flow application. Call them at +1 863-644-3642 or visit their website at https://classiccontrols.com.

Process Analytics by Inline Refractometry

Refractometry - in other words, the measurement of light refraction - is a well-established method of choice for determining the concentration, density and purity of many liquids.

By measuring the refractive index directly within the process, PIOX® R allows for a highly accurate measurement, long term reliability and continuous quality management either in hygienic and ultra-clean sanitary or harsh industrial environments with high process pressures, temperatures and corrosive media.

Unlike other available measurement technologies, FLEXIM’s PIOX® R employs its patented transmitted light principle and thus never bears the risk of measurement drift and false readings from deposit build up at the prism.

The unrivaled design and the integrated diagnostic tools moreover allow for very cost effective and predictive maintenance intervals.

Benefits:

• Patented transmitted light measurement principle - offers completely drift free, precise and long term stable measuring
• No flow velocity needed - which is required from conventional technologies
• Highly precise optical measurement technology offering laboratory accuracy in real-time
• Measurement unaffected by gas bubbles and turbidity as well as the media‘s viscosity
• Internal self-diagnostic tools for predictive and very cost effective maintenance efforts
  
  

DOWNLOAD THE PROCESS ANALYTICS BY INLINE REFRACTOMETRY BROCHURE HERE

For more infomration about using inline refractometers for process analytics, contact Classic Controls. Call them at 863-644-3642 or visit their web site at https://classiccontrols.com.

The World's Only Clamp-on Steam Meter from Flexim

FLUXUS G601 ST

FLEXIM presents the world’s ONLY clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeter capable of  measuring volume and mass flow of saturated and superheated steam at temperatures up to 180 °C / 356°F. FLUXUS G721 ST is the stationary flow meter for steam and offers a variety of digital communication interfaces such as Profibus, Modbus RTU, TCP and others. The FLUXUS G601 ST is the new state-of-the-art portable Flow and Energy meter for all Flow and Energy applications found within the industry.

The new measuring system offers the same advantages as FLEXIM’s well known flowmeter series FLUXUS: Reliable and accurate flow measurement from outside the pipe, free from pressure loss, wear and tear, and maintenance. The installation requires minimal effort, no pipe work, and never affects operation and supply.

FLUXUS G721 ST

With FLUXUS ST, for the first time ever, it is possible to capture all steam usage from very low to very high flow rates with one meter size. The acoustic measuring method proves to be impressive with its exceptionally high measuring dynamics, is highly sensitive even at very low flow velocities and functions independently of the flow direction. Due to this large flow range (flow velocities from 0.003 ft/s up to 200 ft/s, there is no need to reduce pipe diameter to fit an inline meter’s requirement of minimum flow velocity. Moreover, the non-invasive measurement does not cause any pressure loss. The transducer mountings can be completely insulated to reduce any heat loss to the environment.

For more information on the FLEXIM FLEXUS ST contact Classic Controls by calling 863.644.3642 or by visiting https://classiccontrols.com.

Precision Ultrasonic Flow and Thermal Energy Meters for Building Energy Optimization

The controlling, balancing, and monitoring of thermal energy flows is of utmost importance in times of rising energy prices, environmental regulations and financial benefits of energy efficient buildings.

FLEXIM, the leading manufacturer of non-intrusive, clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeters, offers thermal energy meters that make it easy to implement a system for more energy efficient buildings and facilities.

FLEXIM’s energy meters combine the attributes of non-intrusive ultrasonic flow measurement with superior temperature monitoring into an integrated energy computer. All flow transducers and temperature sensors are connected to one unit.


Applications/Uses

• Chiller Plants
• Heating Plants
• HVAC
• Metering & Verification
• Retrofits
• Billing
• Water Control / Leak Detection
• Combined Heat and Power / Cogeneration Plants

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Download the Flexim Precision Ultrasonic Flow and Thermal Energy Meters for Building Energy Optimization Brochure from this web page.

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Clamp-On Ultrasonic Flow Meters: Measure from the Outside of the Pipe

Conventional measuring systems such as differential pressure meters, electromagnetic flowmeters, vortex meters or Coriolis mass flowmeters require costly pipe modifications and experience increased wear resulting in frequent maintenance intervals. FLEXIM is the technology and market leader in the field of clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeters that eliminate the need for pipe entry points, eliminate wear,  and does not require shutdown for maintenance.

For more information, contact Classic Controls.
https://classiccontrols.com
863.644.3642

Clamp-on Ultrasonic Flow Measurement of Natural and Process Gases

FLEXIM‘s ultrasonic gas flow meters use the proven clamp-on transit-time correlation technique also employed for the F series liquid meters. Special ultrasonic transducers are simply clamped onto the outside of the pipe and never come in contact with the gas.

FLUXUS® G represents the ideal solution for non-invasive gas flow measurement. FLEXIM’s non-invasive technology is an advantageous and cost-effective alternative to conventional methods, particularly with chemically aggressive, poisonous or high pressure media. With their extremely wide turn-down ratios, the instruments of the FLUXUS® G series register even the smallest flows.

Non-invasive Measurement

• No contact with the medium, therefore no possibility of chemical attack. No need for expensive special materials (sour gas applications for example)
• No wear and tear, even with high flow velocities or with gas containing particles
• No clogging of small bore impulse lines with deposits, condensate, inhibitors, oil vapors, dust (as happens when using impulse lines in the measuring system)
• Insensitive to dust and humidity

Classic Controls, Inc.
https://classiccontrols.com
863-644-3642

The Flexim FLUXUS F/G721 Ultrasonic Clamp-on Flow Measurement for Liquids and Gases

New hardware design and improved, powerful digital signal processing gives the Flexim FLUXUS F/G721 superiority over other non-intrusive ultrasonic flowmeters in terms of accuracy, reliability and versatility.

Markets:

• Oil & Gas
• Chemical Industries
• Water & Wastewater
• Pharmaceutical
• Food & beverage
• Semiconductor

For more information contact:
Classic Controls
https://classiccontrols.com
863-644-3642

Ultrasonic, Transit-time Flowmeters

Ultrasonic flowmeters measure fluid velocity by passing high-frequency sound waves along the fluid flow path. Fluid motion influences the propagation of these sound waves, which may then be measured to infer fluid velocity.

Transit-time flowmeters, sometimes called counter propagation flowmeters, are an alternative to Doppler ultrasonic flowmeters. A transit-time ultrasonic flowmeter uses a pair of opposed sensors to measure the time difference between a sound pulse traveling with the fluid flow versus a sound pulse traveling against the fluid flow. Since the motion of fluid tends to carry a sound wave along, the sound pulse transmitted downstream will make the journey faster than a sound pulse transmitted upstream:

The rate of volumetric flow through a transit-time flowmeter is a simple function of the upstream and downstream propagation times:

Where:

Q = Calculated volumetric flow rate

k = Constant of proportionality

t_up = Time for sound pulse to travel from downstream location to upstream location (upstream, against the flow)

t_down = Time for sound pulse to travel from upstream location to downstream location (downstream, with the flow)

An interesting characteristic of transit-time velocity measurement is that the ratio of transit time difference over transit time product remains constant with changes in the speed of sound through the fluid. When this equation is cast into terms of path length (L), fluid velocity (v), and sound velocity (c), the equation simplifies to Q=2kv/L, proving that the transit-time flowmeter is linear just like the Doppler flowmeter, with the advantage of being immune to changes in the fluid’s speed of sound. Changes in bulk modulus resulting from changes in fluid composition, or changes in density resulting from compositional, temperature, or pressure variations therefore have little effect on a transit-time flowmeter’s accuracy.


Reprinted from "Lessons In Industrial Instrumentation" by Tony R. Kuphaldt – under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License.

Non-invasive, Clamp-on Flowmeters for Boiler Feed Water, Fuel Oil, and Natural Gas Feeds in Power Plants

Clamp-on Flowmeters in Power Plants

Natural gas fired plants burn the gas to heat boiler feed water up and convert it to steam for subsequent electricity generation. It is critical for the safety and performance of the power plant to monitoring and control the flow of boiler water feed lines.

FLEXIM, a manufacturer of clamp-on transit-time ultrasonic flowmeters, offers it's high temperature clamp-on WaveInjector mounting fixture as a very accurate and reliable device that accurately measures flow, even at pipe wall temperature of 400 °C / 750 °F. Since the measurement system is completely non-invasive, there is no concern about the pressurization levels within the pipe. Furthermore, Flexim's component design doesn’t cause any pressure drop and eliminates the need for process shut-downs for installation or service. Flexim also offers a unique integrated technology they call "HybridTrek mode" which can detect steam entrainment in the feed water flows – a clear cause for decreased plant performance.

Another area where non-invasive, clamp-on flowmeters are advantageous on fuel oil or feed gas supply. Flexim "Flexus" meters are also ideal to measure and monitor the flow of fuel oil or gas to the boilers to achieve the optimum efficiency.

Ultrasonic flowmeter for harsh environments.
(Flexim)

Historically, fuel oil feed lines are either monitored by the use of orifice plates and differential pressure or positive displacement meters, both of which require hours of maintenance due to wear and tear by the abrasive and partially clogging medium. A non-invasive ultrasonic clamp-on flow meter technology offers a much better solution. No pipe cutting or welding, zero contact with the process medium, matched and paired transducers, sophisticated high-speed flow calculations and very rugged stainless steel construction make the Flexim flowmeter an excellent choice, even in this harsh
environment.

For gas feed lines, FLEXIM developed a special transducer technology called Lamb wave transducers to offer the most accurate clamp-on flow measurement possible. The clamp-on measurement system is independent from pipe dimensions, material and wall thickness.  There are no upper pressure limits and even on very low pressure lines, the flow meter is capable of carrying out a bi-directional flow measurement over a wide turndown range. By factoring in pressure and temperature (as well as the individual gas composition if needed), the FLUXUS gas flow meter outputs normalized flow rates.

For more information on applying non-invasive ultrasonic clamp-on flow meters in power plants, contact Classic Controls by visiting https://classiccontrols.com or by calling 863-644-3642.

University Campuses Greatly Reduce Energy Costs Retrofitting with Clamp-on Thermal Energy Meters

Flexim Clamp-on Thermal Meter

The cooling and heating of a university campus is one of the primary areas where better energy management, including improved efficiency and energy reduction, brings some of the highest returns.

Every university to some extent is now engaged in this process, and one of the first things that has to be addressed is the metering of distributed thermal energy. To effectively begin energy reduction initiatives, accurate and reliable thermal energy metering has to be in place.

Today, there is high priority for understanding that we need to be better stewards of energy consumption. Poor energy consumption harms the environment and creates much higher operating costs. Universities have become very involved in the move toward greener energy. Many universities began metering long ago while some are just beginning. Most are in the middle of the process.

Installation of clamp-on thermal meter (click for larger view).

Installation in under 4 hrs. (steps from image above):

• Step 1: Cut insulation where transducers and RTD will be located.
• Step 2: Install stainless bands around pipe under insulation.
• Step 3: Install transducers and RTD.
• Step 4: Cover transducers and RTD with insulation and tape.

There are many different types of meters, and often, many of these choices turn out to be unreliable. In order to achieve real accountability for energy usage at campus buildings, energy managers at leading universities are applying a “utility model.” In the utility model, building managers responsible for campus buildings are billed at utility grade costs for the thermal energy consumed. This creates an environment where focus falls to thermal energy conservation. It’s also vital that inefficiencies are identified and corrected through metering.

Many universities have gone through an evolution of trying to meter thermal energy consumption throughout their campus. The success of these ventures can be elusive when the meter chosen for the job doesn’t live up to expectations. Examples include insertion meters that over time will foul and meters that cannot respond to low velocities that are prevalent during off-peak metering.

On proven alternative is FLEXIM’s Thermal Energy / BTU Flow Meter. The technology, based upon FLEXIM's ultrasonic clamp-on meters, do not require shutdown and are very cost effective to install.

Clamp-on ultrasonic meters have been doing the job of BTU-metering for decades and the Flexim thermal energy meters are leading the effort towards more energy efficient buildings and facilities.

More than 150 colleges and universities throughout the country are using the FLEXIM product as their preferred thermal energy meter and attest to FLEXIM’s performance, reliability and support.

For more information on Flexim thermal energy products, contact Classic Controls by visiting https://classiccontrols.com or by calling 863-644-3642.

Application of Non-Invasive Flow Meter Technology to Extreme Temperature Lines

One configuration of Flexim WaveInjector, allowing
non-invasive flow measurement at extreme temperatures.
Image courtesy Flexim Americas Corp.

The development of condensate in super heater and re-heater drains can lead to trouble in combined cycle and cogeneration plants with heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs). The need to reliably detect and measure condensate in these drain lines has emerged as an area needing attention.

The Problem

Heat recovery steam generators were never designed for cyclic service. The move toward renewable energy resources (such as wind and photovoltaic), in tandem with the ability of the combined cycle plant to start-up and stop quickly, is expanding the role of the combined cycle plant as a backup source of power. With frequent starts/stops condensate management can be challenging. Draining the condensate is critically important for the safe and reliable operation of the boiler. While the problem of condensate drainage has been around for years, the problem is greater now in installations with a higher frequency of cycling. The importance of finding a good solution for detecting condensate in the HRSG drain lines is growing.

Boiler manufacturers address this situation through the use of condensate pots, level instruments, site glasses, and valves. None of these technologies provide a satisfactory combination of reliability, economy, and efficiency. Knowing when steam converts to water is difficult with this approach. Plus, over cautious systems sometimes release steam instead of condensate, wasting energy. A more reliable and consistent way to sense the presence of water in drain lines had to be found.

The Solution

By designing specialized mounting and tooling, modifying their sensing diagnostics, putting in hundreds of hours of field testing, and investing hundreds of hours improving their firmware for water detection, the manufacturer Flexim developed an ultrasonic flow meter that elegantly and reliably solves the HRSG drain line problem.

These clamp-on sensors work by measuring the transit-time difference of an ultrasonic signal, at varying flow velocities, through the process media. Ultrasonic, clamp-on flow meters have no moving parts, are not affected by density, and are mounted directly to the pipe in a non-invasive fashion.

The most challenging aspects of this application are the exposure of the sensing units to high temperature and the thick-walled pipes with small diameters commonly used for drains. To handle the high temperatures, specialized mounting and tooling were developed for the sensor allowing for pipe temperatures up to 750 deg. F. To overcome the small diameter / thick pipe issue, Flexim engineers reconfigured the sensor’s firmware to change from measuring flow rate, and instead measure noise (decibels) as an innovative way to distinguish steam from water.

Flexim’s unique ability to measure the presence of liquid in condensate drain pipes is a revolutionary development. This valuable solution helps customers run longer and safer, minimizing downtime. Share your measurement challenges with process measurement specialists, leveraging your own knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop an effective solution.

HVAC Energy Management - Thermal Metering With Non-Invasive Technology

Ultrasonic flow measurement is an optimal choice
for thermal metering, with it non-invasive installation.
Image courtesy Flexim Americas Corp.

The modern business climate has, for some time now, been spooling up demand for accountability and, even more so, efficiency. Whether you think of efficiency as "doing more with less" or just avoiding the expenditure of financial, human, or natural resources the end result is the same and calls for similar prerequisites.

We live in a society of buildings, each with a mapped out function. Most buildings are predominantly occupied by people, bringing a requirement to maintain temperature, relative humidity, and air quality at levels of suitable comfort for human occupants. The energy consumption involved with providing that level of comfort stands as a bold line item in the operating expense ledger for any building. That is where accountability and efficiency come in. It is in the building stakeholders' interest to have knowledge regarding rates and quantity of thermal energy usage, as well as efficiency measures of delivered output per unit of input energy.

HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) primarily is an endeavor that generates and moves thermal energy throughout an enclosed space. Commercially available technology now allows a building operator to accurately measure that movement of thermal energy throughout a system or building. The process is generally called BTU metering and has a number of justifiable benefits.

• Real time equipment performance measurement.
• Sub metering can indicate specific areas of consumption.
• Ability to directly bill multiple tenants in a single building for their thermal energy usage.
• Monitor and balance energy flows.

BTU metering essentially involves inlet and outlet temperature measurement of heat transfer liquids, along with their flow rate. While the principle is simple, the intricacies of the measurement methods and equipment accuracy can have a substantial impact on the accuracy, and thus the benefit, of the measurement data. Additionally, adding more instrumentation to an already complex system can create an additional on-going maintenance and calibration burden to retain the necessary levels of accuracy and function. Success at gaining the benefit of the performance data while minimizing the additional maintenance burden due to the instrumentation should be the goal.

One solution calls for the use of clamp on ultrasonic flow meters to measure liquid flow, coupled with temperature measurement in a single unit that will perform necessary calculations and provide output data in useful engineering units. An overarching benefit of the clamp on meter is its non-invasive nature, allowing its retrofit to in-place systems with no disturbance to existing piping. Here are some other characteristics of a highly effective BTU measurement unit:

• No wear mechanism as part of the flow measurement unit
• Traceable accuracy of flow and temperature measurements
• Simple installation in new or retrofit applications without disruption to system operation
• Reliable and maintenance free operation
• Accurate measurement from near zero flow rate to maximum system flow
• Stable sensing with no zero drift
• Communications protocol to match building energy management system
• Large storage cache for data, in case of communication failure
• Common output signals, 4-20 ma or other, usable with selected ancillary equipment

Selecting the right equipment or instrumentation is the most important step along the path of adding measurement capability to increase efficiency. Without a solid stream of reliable data, useful decisions become difficult. Contact a product application specialist and share your goals and challenges. Leverage your own knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop an effective solution.

BTU Metering Using Non-Invasive Flow Measurement from Classic Controls, Inc.

Flow Measurement in Subsurface Pipes

Ultrasonic flow measurement, properly configured, can be the preferred solution for flow measurement in water and wastewater pipes, especially those in subsurface locations. Demands for increased monitoring of system flow at numerous points throughout a network or system create a need to install flow measurement instrumentation on existing pipes that are unlikely to have built-in accommodations for the needed sensors.

Ultrasonic flow measurement transducers are mounted on the exterior of existing piping and require no pipe cutting or service interuption to install. The rugged transducers are suitable for subsurface installation and provide long term uninterupted operation. Ultrasonic flow measurement functions over a wide range of flow, providing accurate data during normal, peak, and off-peak hours. The data derived from the measurements can also be used for leak detection. Data output from the instrument can be used locally or transferred by a number of methods to remote monitoring stations for system wide analysis.

The video provides some additional application advantages of ultrasonic flow measurement for subsurface pipe applications. Share your flow measurement challenges of all types with process measurement specialists. Leverage your own knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop effective solutions.

Ultrasonic Clamp-On Flowmeter with SIL 2 Rating

FLUXUS F/G70X and F/G80X series meters
Image Courtesy Flexim

Measuring the flow quantity of gases and liquids is a common industrial processing task. There are numerous technologies available for measuring fluid flow, each with its own set of advantages and drawbacks for any particular application. Some of the technologies and methods have been in use for a very long time, with recent enhancements provided by electronics or smart sensor designs.

Ultrasonic flow measurement devices employ a comparatively recent technology to measure gaseous or liquid flow. Whether the transit time differential or Doppler method is utilized, ultrasonic flow meters have a distinctive characteristic in that they can be deployed in a form factor that does not require contact with the the process fluid, nor insertion in the fluid flow path. A common installation method is to clamp the ultrasonic transducer assembly onto the exterior of a process pipe. This makes the technology attractive for applications that involve adding a flow measurement point to an existing piping system.

Flexim, a globally recognized leader in ultrasonic flow measurement, offers a number of permanent and portable units for measuring liquid and gaseous flow rates. Some of their instruments have been certified as SIL 2 capable, along with a host of other third party certifications. The product range includes simple and accurate instruments designed for general industrial use, and extends to multi-beam units intended for applications, such as custody transfer of fluids, that require the highest accuracy and overall performance levels.

Share your flow measurement challenges and requirements with instrumentation specialists, combining your own process knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop effective solutions.

Ultrasonic Gas Flow Measurement from Classic Controls, Inc.

Flexim Wins Recognition for Innovative Flow Measurement

Flexim F704 Ultrasonic Flow Meter
Image courtesy Flexim Americas

Flow Control Magazine, which targets solutions for fluid movement, measurement and containment, handed out its annual Innovation Awards recently. Among those receiving honorable mention was Flexim Americas Corporation, for the Fluxus Cryo that provides noninvasive measurement of cryogenic fluids. Special design adaptations prevent ice build up on the measurement apparatus that that can plague other technologies.

Ultrasonic flow measurement offers some distinct advantages over other available methods, with high accuracy, no intrusion into the media, and no moving parts. While the award was specifically for a cryogenic application, Flexim ultrasonic flow measurement instruments are available for an extensive array of applications.

For more information, share your flow measurement requirements and challenges with process instrumentation experts, leveraging your own process knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop effective solutions.

In-Line Process Refractometer

Refractometry, a combination of physics, materials, and chemistry, is a measurement technique which determines the composition of known substances by means of calculating their respective refractive indexes (RI). RIs are evaluated via a refractometer, a device which measures the curve, or refraction, resulting when the wavelength of light moves from the air into and through a tested substance. The unitless number given by the refractometer, usually between 1.3000 and 1.7000, is the refractive index. The composition of the substance is then determined with a comparison of the measured RI to standard curves developed for the substance. There are four general types of refractometers: digital, analog, lab, and inline process. Although refractometry can measure a variety of substances, the most common group of known substances to calculate is liquids. Liquid based continuous processes benefit from the use of an inline process refractometer to provide real time data about process output or intermediate steps.

The ultimate focus of industrial refractometry is to describe what is in a final product or output of a process step. A field which relies directly on the results of refractometry is gemology. Gemological refractometry is crucial for accurately identifying the gemstones being classified, whether the gemstones are opaque, transparent, or translucent.

Other common examples of industrial refractometry uses include measuring the salinity of water to determine drinkability; figuring beverage ratios of sugar content versus other sweeteners or water; setting eye-glass prescriptions; understanding the hydrocarbon content of motor fuels; totaling plasma protein in blood samples; and quantifying the concentration of maple syrup. Regarding fuels, refractometry scrutinizes the possible output of energy and conductivity, and for drug-testing purposes, refractometry measures the specific gravity, or the density, of human urine. Regarding food, refractometry has the ability to measure the glucose in fruit during the fermentation process. Because of this, those in food processing can know when fruit is at peak ripeness and, in turn, also understand the most advantageous point in the fruit’s lifetime to put it on the market.

The determination of the substance composition of the product examples listed above all speak to the purpose of quality control and the upholding of standardized guidelines. Consumers rely on manufacturers not only to produce these products safely and in vast quantity, but to deliver the customer a consistent taste experience when the product is consumed. Brand marketing success relies on maintaining the standards for the composition of substances that comprise the product. One could argue that an in-line process refractometer is actually a marketing tool of some sort, at least to the extent that it is employed to maintain consistent product quality.

Equipment manufacturers have developed numerous refractometer configurations tailored to specific use and application. Each has a set of features making it the advantageous choice for its intended application. Product specialists can be invaluable sources of information and assistance to potential refractometer users seeking to match the best equipment to their application or process.