There are numerous types of flow meters and controllers available in the market today. What sets them apart from each other are their functions, price, and accuracy. One of the most expensive categories of flow meters is ultrasonic sensors. These types of flow controllers are non-invasive and measure flow rates in more than one variable. If you want a liquid flow controller whose price is on the lower end but still measures flow rate accurately, then the turbine flow meter is the best option. 

If you are dealing with higher viscosity liquids, the best option is to use the single-use flow through disposable ultrasonic sensors. This article will explain the various types of flow rate meters and controllers used in the market today. Before that, however, let’s look at what you need to consider before choosing a flow meter.

Considerations Before Choosing a Flow Meter

  • Type of Flow Measurement – This refers to the kind of readings you are looking for. Normally, readings are given in velocity, volume, and mass flow measurement. 
  • The Type of Measured Media – This refers to the state of the substance you are planning to measure. It can either be steam, gas, liquid, or slurry substance. 
  • The Condition of the Media – You need to know the substance’s temperature and pressure and whether this will change or stay the same always. 
  • Flow Range – The user needs to know the measurement range required in terms of max and min. 
  • Accuracy – The expected measurement accuracy also needs to be known. 
  • Environmental Considerations – This mostly for installation, and the user needs to know if the liquid flow controller will require special installation requirements.

Types is Digital Flow Meters 

Digital Turbine Flow Meter 

This is a single-use type of flow meter used in high hygiene applications. When the CIP option doesn’t work, the turbine flow meter is the best option when your plant deals with food, biopharma, or semiconductor fabrication. Invasive flow sensors that come into contact with the measured fluid are disposed of after each use. There are also non-invasive versions don’t come into contact with the working fluids, making them reusable. 

In single-use digital flow meters, the working requirements include sensor reliability, typical working fluids, compatibility, and accuracy. If the accuracy levels required are quite high(<1%) for single-use, then the Coriolis flow meter is the best option. Coriolis flowmeters are the most expensive flow meters in the market. 

Coriolis Digital Flow Meters 

There are two designs of Coriolis flowmeters that give out true mass flow measurement. One of them is the single tube Coriolis, and the other one is the double tube Coriolis liquid flow controller. At a reference frequency, Coriolis flowmeters use an oscillation induced in the tube(s). According to Newton’s Second Law of Motion (F = m x a), the oscillation frequency will change if there are any changes in the fluid flow rate. 

Coriolis flowmeters provide very high accuracy levels of all the flow meters available. That is why they are chosen as ideal flow meters in the oil and gas industries. They are also common flow meters used in pharmaceuticals, wastewater, nuclear facilities, treatment facilities, custody transfer, and natural gas measurement.

Differential Flowmeter for Water

To determine flow velocity, DP flowmeters measure pressure changes. These flow meters are designed with flow-restrictive orifices or laminar flow elements that use the restriction to determine the pressure drop. The flow rate is proportional to the pressure drop between upstream and downstream points. DP flowmeters work better where moving parts are not needed. They also work well if the measurement requires an ultrafast response time. Some of the industrial applications that differential pressure flow meters are used include specialty chemical manufacturing, aquafarm, and measuring jet fuel output. 

Magnetic Flow Meters/Magmeters 

There are two design styles of magnetic flow meters. They include fill-bore and insertion. These flowmeters have coils that produce a magnetic field. These flow meters are used to measure conductive liquids which go through them, creating a voltage. The created voltage is directly proportional to the flow rate. 

The technology used to design magnetic flow meters does not include moving parts. This means that the maintenance cost is pretty low. The full-bore version of mag meters does not cause any intrusion in the flow stream. These flow meters are relatively expensive and are used in industries such as pulp and paper manufacturing and food & beverage processing plants. 

Conclusion 

The efficiency and lifespan of flow meters depend on proper installation and matching them with the right applications. These devices do more than just measuring gas and liquid substances; they ensure safety is and accuracy is attained in the entire process. They also help companies know whether they are making losses or profits.