A water flow meter is a device that accurately measures the amount of flowing water through a pipe in an industrial facility or plant. It enables system operators to be sure of a certain amount in the current flow when operating an engine.
It is important to use a water flow meter since various industrial equipment pieces require different rates of flow. One can choose the best water flow meter to use depending on their applications, costs, level of accuracy, etc.
Water flow meters can measure the flow of cold, hot, dirty, and clean water, and even slurries. The four major types of water flow meters are;
1. Vortex Flowmeters
Vortex flow meters measure the flow rate of water using a shed of vortices where there is always the production of swirls that develop into vortices at any time the fluid bumps past an obstruction. Water flow rate frequency comes about when the sensor tab flexes at the time in which the vortices flow past it.
Multivariable vortex flowmeters measure up to five different variables in one application. The variables are; temperature, pressure, density, flow rates, and mass flow. Vortex flow meters are best suited with large pipes.
2. Mechanical Flowmeters
Mechanical flow meters, also known as turbine flow meters, are the most affordable and common water flow meters which many people use. The flowmeter operates using a paddle, propeller, or shunt design that rotates around the pipe where the water flow rate is equal to the speed the blades make during the rotation process.
Mechanical flow meters are limited to measure only clean liquids since they can get clogged with dirty water or slurries and may have a high cost on maintenance.
3. Ultrasonic Flowmeters
Ultrasonic flow meters measure the water speed passing through a pipe using ultrasound technology. They come in two main types, i.e., clamp-on and transit time ultrasonic meters. Clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters shoot a sound through the pipe wall to receive flow measurement when you put them on outer pipe walls.
Transit time ultrasonic flow meters, on the other hand, determine the water flow rate by comparing the two signals between the downstream and upstream flow.
4. Magnetic Flowmeters
Magnetic flow meters, also known as electromagnetic meters, work under the principle of Faraday’s law of magnets which states that when a liquid or water passes through a magnetic field, there will be a generation of voltage. The increased flow rate will lead to a higher generation of voltage. The volumetric flow rate is then found by converting the voltage signal from the electronic system of the device.
Magnetic flowmeters cannot measure the flow rate in pure or clean liquids because pure liquids do not have ions for voltage generation or production.
Factors to Consider When Selecting a Water Flow Meter
Choosing a water flow meter for a specific application requires one to have proper knowledge of various types of water flow meters, how they operate, etc. Consider the following factors;
1.The operational requirements.
2.The accuracy of the water flow meter.
3. The range of the flow that the flow meter can sustain.
4. The total cost of the flow meter.
5. The life span of the flowmeter.
6. The maintenance requirement of the flow meter.
Conclusion
Obtaining the right water flow meter may have a positive impact on your application, thus increasing the output. System operators or engineers can help choose the best water flow meter depending on your budget and the requirement operation.
