Electromagnetic Flowmeter

Why use flow meters

What is a magnetic flow meter
How do they work
How are the different from other meters

Items that will impact the use of mag meters

Benefits of good measurements

Why use flow meters

Why Use Flow Meters

Accurate flow measurements eliminates
guess work in water usage measurements
Guess work includes, pivot package, PCC work,
acreage and crop water requirements

Provides only accurate means for

measurement on complex irrigation systems
Will help to better manage irrigation system
and save time, water and money

How do mags Work?

Any electrical conductor moving in a magnetic field will
have a voltage induced in it. (Faradays Law)
The induced voltage is directly proportional to the
strength of the magnetic field, and the speed of the
conductor moving through the field.
If the conductor is a fluid flowing through a fixed
magnetic field, the voltage induced in the conductor
will be directly proportional to the velocity of the
conductor (flow stream).
Flow detection is very dependent on the sensitivity of
the instrument that measures the weak induced
voltage.

Quick Physics Lesson

Faradays Law of Induction
E = constant X B X D X V

Operating Principle
Faradays Law
A conductor moving through a
magnetic field will induce an
electromotive force proportional
to the velocity of the conductor

E = constant X B X D X V

B = Flux Density
D = Diameter of Pipe
v = Velocity of flow stream

Typical Magnetic flowmeter Sensor

configuration

How do mags work

Why Does It Work So Well ?

Accuracy and Repeatability

FLOW

A Mag Meter averages the sum of the voltage

of all particles: The result - a Mag Meter will
produce superior accuracy and repeatability
and is significantly less affected by pipe
turbulences than force velocity type meter
technologies commonly found in agriculture.

The voltage induced is a

good average of the flow
velocity because:

Water is made up of
many particles.
Each particle
generates a voltage
based on its own
velocity.

Why are mags different then other

meters

Mags vs. Force Velocity meters

No moving parts = No mechanical failure
Minimal pressure loss across meter
Mechanical meters need enough energy in the
water to accurately measure flows
Low flow measurements = large errors in accuracy

Low flow measurements are accurately

measured with mag meters - velocity range 0.139 fps
Cost of mags are competitively priced with
traditional mechanical meters and will typically
last much longer

Items that will affect mag meters

Significant amounts of air entrained in the water.
Air and water have diabolically different conductive properties
and entrained air will change the velocity to induced volt
relationship

Stray voltage or harmonics

Sensors in the meter used to detect voltage change do not know
the difference in stray voltage induced change or conductive
fluid induced change in the magnetic field

Partially filled pipe flow

Assumption with all closed conduit measurement is that the
cross-sectional area is constant- Q = (Velocity)(Cross-sectional area)
Submergence must occur at all times for meter to work properly

Mag meter highlights

A. Operates based on Faradays Law of
electromagnetic induction.
B. Completely open flow tube design:

No moving parts
No wear
No maintenance

C. Not affected by the presence of solid

particles in the liquid. No strainer
required.

Highlights (cont)
D. Operates in any meter orientation as
long as the pipe is full

Horizontal
Vertical
Incline Piping

E. Minimum Head Loss: Equal to a section

of pipe of the same length.
F. Minimum Piping Requirements: Three
diameters of straight pipe upstream of
the meter and two diameters
downstream.

Highlights (cont)
G. Bi-directional flow measurement
capability.
H. Meter system includes two
components:

Detector (Flow Tube)

Signal Amplifier (Electronic Converter)

Benefits to Good measurements

Quality measurements = Quality Data

Initial cost is substantial but will reduce costs over time
for obtaining quality data.
Quality data will provide higher level of certainty in
overall management of water resources.
Data will allow users the ability to monitor irrigation
system with high degree of accuracy.
Data will provide feedback to users regarding wear on
irrigation system and the ability to plan in advance for
major pump and motor servicing.
Monitoring of pumping throughout a season will
provide feedback on aquifer response due to pumping
(drawdown in the well).