Flow meters are a device designed for measuring non-linear or linear flow rate. They measure the volumetric or mass flow rate of gases or liquids. The accuracy of the metering is advancing along with the technology, generally speaking custody transfer meters are the most accurate. Basic water turbine or paddle units are available for irrigation, potable water and hot water processes pipes.
Variable area flowmeters are like cylindrical clear tubes used in small bore gas or liquid process. Meters can now be supplied with “smart” technology or retrofitted to existing older pulse designs to give drive by wi-fi readings. More advanced technology such as “Mag flows” require a conducting fluid and a nonconducting pipe liner give very accurate results.
Ultrasonic meters use ultrasound to give extremely accurate readings once calibrated to their specific pipe works. Even handier this type of unit can also be portable hence can be used for verification of other metering on sites such as checking turbine meters or processes that may have equipment failure.
Coriolis Meters
Coriolis meters use the Coriolis effect that causes a laterally vibrating tube to distort, and a direct measurement of mass flow can be obtained which is particularly suited to natural gas measurement.
Basic metering ranges from 15nb to 800nb with threaded of flanged connections. Mag flows, Ultrasonic and coriolis meter sizing is variable due to the nature of their operation. A full range of accessories is available to suit each individual type of unit.
Vortex Meters
Vortex Flow Meters have the ability to measure not just flow but pressure and temperature options. They are popular on steam service however they can be used on gas and liquids.
Ultrasonic Meters
Untrasonic meters for clean liquids can be portable and inline primarily used on water but other media like fuel etc.
Turbine Meters – AKA Impeller Meters
Turbine meters are the traditional metering for clean liguid service such as water. The impeller rotates giving the flow reading on the dial and totalizes the flow over time since its installment. Some of these are now with digital readouts. Reed switches or now more modern pulse capsules can be added along with M Bus, Wireless or Radio feedback options. Remember though over time (usually a couple of years) batteries have to be replaced where feedback options are added. The basic dial readout does not require power to operate.
The WP series is for liquids up to 50 Deg C and there are both screwed BSP and Flanged versions. Threaded units are brass body and flanged have a cast iron body
For hot water service the G series are single jet (sizes DN 15 and DN 20 for indoor use) with multi-jet versions in DN20 to DN50 threaded flanged from DN50 to DN250. The standard unit can operate with temperatures up to 90 Degrees C. Threaded units are brass body while flanged units have a cast iron body.
For temperatures to 120 Deg C there is a heavy duty model in both threaded in flanged. It is more robust, built with internal components to handle the increased temperatures. Data to follow or contact our office for details.
The variable area flowmeter is a thermoplastic unit with clear tubing used in chemical dosing / water treatment plants etc.
Sight Flow Indicators
Sight Flow Indicators can be either dome, single window or double window types. They may have the plain window or have a paddle / flap or even rotor impeller types that make it easy to view flow particularly on clear gas or fluids. Care has to be taken when selecting to ensure the media and pressure ratings match the materials of construction. Size ranges from DN 8 to DN 450 (1/4″ to 18″) are available. Connections can be BSP NPT or flanged. When it comes to flanged we have DIN ANSI and JIS. Body Materials can be brass bronze plastic steel and stainless steel.
Steam sight glasses / flow indicators have reinforced glass or borosilicate glass and are more robust to handle the increased temperatures and pressures.
These small compact stainless steel rotor impeller types are economical and can be used in a wide range of industrial applications from 1/4″ through to 2″ sizes with threaded connections.
AUSTRALIAN MADE
Buying the Australian made Sight Flow Indicators / Sight Glasses without question costs more however the materials and quality of manufacturing is superior and on specials in particular deliveries are quicker. The payback comes from a maintenance perspective with spares available for the last 30 years off the shelf. The items are far cheaper to maintain than replace.
Australian made cast steel flanged and threaded from DN 15 to DN 300 in straight through design up to class 150 as standard and ANSI 300 with double lenses for the higher pressure ratings. Angle versions are also available as well as body materials in SG iron, 304 or 316 stainless steel.
Bronze Flow indicators also Australian made in sizes from DN 15 to DN50 are also available as off the shelf items.