CHECKING FLOW RATES AND TOTAL VOLUME OF LIQUIDS: FLOWMETERS

A majority of manufacturing plants deal with liquids in some way. These liquids could be a part of the manufacturing process itself, or they could help in the plant’s upkeep.

But no plant can do without liquid involvement. Liquids, like water, could cause colossal damage if left unchecked. Their flow and amount have to be monitored accurately to ensure just the right amount is allowed to flow; this is where a flow meter comes in handy.

WHAT IS A FLOWMETER?

A flowmeter for water or any liquid monitors and controls the flow of liquids and even gases (depending on the model in use). One can find a flowmeter for water and other fluids in almost all manufacturing plants.

These meters gauge the rate of flow and the total volume flowing. The flow rate refers to the speed at which the liquid or gas is moving and the amount moving at a given time. The total volume refers to the liquid’s or gas’s actual amount that has to flow or has flowed so far.

These meters can calculate linear, non-linear mass or even volumetric flow of the given liquid or gas.

CHOOSING A FLOWMETER

Several companies are manufacturing countless models of flowmeters, and the company should carefully evaluate its decision on which flowmeter to buy.

Flowmeters are available in any price range, but their prices reflect their purpose and features. Trying to be cost-effective and buying a low-priced flowmeter will not help the process and may even hinder it.

So it is better to spring for a costlier meter if it will fulfil the purpose properly, to ensure there are no future costs such as damages or repairs.

Characteristics

The first step in choosing a meter is to understand the fluid or gas that it will measure. Characteristics such as pressure, temperature, viscosity, conductivity, safety information (e.g. toxicity or handling), etc., should be accounted for beforehand.

The fluid or gas may react differently to materials and may undergo processes that change its characteristics, for example, heating water to boiling point. If any such changes may occur before it is measured by the flowmeter, One should also consider the range (minimum and maximum) of this possible change before deciding.

Installation Area and Expertise

Another essential factor to consider is the space available within the plant. The flow meter should handle the fluid or gas, and the space it is installed in should be manoeuvrable by the fluid/gas.

This flow meter’s piping requires sufficient space for installing the flow sensor, which is a matter of utmost importance. It is also pertinent that the staff be qualified to handle the flowmeter and understand its working procedure. They should also be aware of the safety information and handling instructions.

Information and Data Collection

Perhaps one of the more important considerations is the role the flowmeter plays in the manufacturing process. A flowmeter for water and other liquids can display their information/data in any value, but it is pre-programmed, and therefore should be agreed upon beforehand.

Read Also: How Often Should a Septic Tank Be Pumped?

Also, flowmeters can display data either locally or remotely; if remotely, then the format (digital/analogue) is another consideration.

Additionally, the manner of quantification also matters. The company should decide whether the data has to be quantified totally or continuously, and if continuous, then one should also take the frequency of data-updates into account.