Flow Meters
A flow meter is an instrument used to measure linear, nonlinear, mass or volumetric flow rate of a liquid or a gas. Some flow meters measure flow as the amount of fluid passing through the flowmeter during a time period (such as 100 liters per minute). Other flowmeters measure the totalized amount of fluid that has passed through the flow meter. Selecting a Flow Meter The basis of good flowmeter selection is a clear understanding of the requirements of the particular application. Therefore, time should be invested in fully evaluating the nature of the process fluid and of the overall installation.
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There are some key questions which need to answered before selecting a flow meters :
- What kind of the fluid being measured by the flowmeter or flow meters (fluid, gas, water, air, stem, etc)?
- Is the fluid clean?
- What is the minimum and maximum flow rate for the flow meter?
- What is the minimum and maximum process pressure?
- What is the minimum and maximum process temperature?
- Do you require rate measurement and/or totalization from the flow meter?
- If the liquid is not water, what viscosity is the liquid?
- Do you require a local display on the flow meter or do you need an electronic signal output?
- Is the fluid chemically compatible with the flowmeter wetted parts?
- If this is a process application, what is the size of the pipe?