NEW-TECHNOLOGY FLOWMETERS

Multivariable
Coriolis Magnetic Ultrasonic Vortex differential
pressure

Paradigm Clean, Clean, Clean, swirl- Clean, low- Clean liquids

case medium- to conductive free liquids viscosity, (L), steams
application high-speed liquids flowing and gases of swirl-free, (S), and gases
liquids and through a full known profile medium- to (G)
gases in pipe high-speed
pipes of 2 fluids
inches or
less

Fluids L, G, S L L, G, S L, G, S L, G, S

Disadvantage Price; Doesn't meter Transit time Affected by Permanent

limited line nonconductive requires vibration; pressure drop-
sizes fluids relatively somewhat depends on
clean fluids intrusive primary
element

Advantage Accurate Nonintrusive; Nonintrusive; Minimal Reduced cost;

minimal minimal pressure integrated
pressure drop pressure drop drop; solution
accurate

Principle of Mass flow Flow rate Flow rate Flow rate Measures mass
operation proportional proportional to determined proportional flow by
to amount amount of by difference to number inferential
of twist in voltage in time it of vortices method,
tube generated takes an generated measuring
when liquid ultrasonic by bluff pressure and
moves through pulse to body temperature
a magnetic travel
field upstream vs.
downstream

TRADITIONAL-TECHNOLOGY FLOWMETERS

Differential Positive Open Variable

Turbine Thermal
Pressure Displacement channel area

Paradigm Clean Clean, Clean, Clean, free- Clean gases Clean

cases liquids, noncorrosive steady, flowing of known liquids
steams, and liquids and medium- to streams or heat and gases
gases gases high-speed partially capacity where
flowing filled pipes high
liquids or accuracy
gases is not
required

Fluids L, G, S L, G L, G L L, G L, G

Disadvantage Permanent Moving parts Moving Weirs and Limited use Low
pressure subject to parts flumes for liquids; accuracy;
drop- wear; requires subject to require low to many do
 depends on clean fluids wear; obstruction; medium not have
primary requires pressure accuracy output
element; clean fluids loss
orifice plates depends on
subject to technology
wear

Advantage Low cost; Accurate: Reliable; Limited Low cost; Low cost;
well measures low well accuracy, measures many do
understood flow rates and understood depending mass flow not
viscous flows on require
technology power

Principle of Flow rate Fluid trapped Flow rate Level or Flow rate Flow rate
operation proportional into proportional depth used proportional indicated
to amount of compartments to speed of to to speed by how
pressure of known spinning determine with which high the
drop created volume and rotor flow with heat fluid lifts a
by emptied; flow weirs and dissipates in float
constriction rate flumes; area the fluid
in pipe determined by velocity
counting how measures
often this flow rate
happens and level or
depth

Source: Flow Research, Inc. (www.flowresearch.com)

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