Guide to Selecting the Right Flowmeter for Different Operating Conditions

Selecting the appropriate flowmeter is crucial for accurate flow measurement. Even under similar operating conditions, choosing different types of flowmeters can result in significant variations in the final measurement outcomes. Here is a short guide to general model selection by Kaifeng Oasis Instrument Co., Ltd. We are a professional manufacturer with experienced technical and service personals, we offer our expert services to our clients worldwide.

If a flowmeter is improperly chosen at the beginning, it could even lead to inaccurate measurements or damage to the instrument. Therefore, it is essential for instrumentation and maintenance personnel to understand the correct selection process. A clear understanding of the basic selection methods will help avoid mistakes when choosing the right flowmeter.

Choosing the Right Flowmeter Based on Operating Conditions

To ensure optimal and accurate performance of flowmeters in production environments, the choice of flowmeter should generally depend on the medium being measured.

Below are some common operating conditions and recommended flowmeter types:

Wastewater, Pulp, and Other Turbid Liquids

Recommended Flowmeters: OUF series Ultrasonic Flowmeters and OMF series Smart Electromagnetic Flowmeters. When choosing an electromagnetic flowmeter, ensure that the liquid contains minimal air or bubbles.

Oil Products (e.g., Petroleum, Diesel)

Recommended Flowmeter: OLTF Series liquid turbine flowmeters, Positive displacement flowmeters, Coriolis Mass Flowmeters, Differential pressure flowmeters.

High Concentration, Solid-Particle Content (e.g., Mortar, Cement Slurry)

Recommended Flowmeter: Coriolis Mass Flowmeters, OMF series Electromagnetic Flowmeter

Municipal Water (High Flow Rates)

Recommended Flowmeters: OMF series Smart Electromagnetic Flowmeters, OUF series Ultrasonic Flowmeters. Other options such as Vortex Flowmeters and Venturi Flowmeters are also viable.

Gas Media

Recommended Flowmeters:

Ultrasonic Gas Flowmeter

Vortex Flowmeter

Thermal Mass Flowmeter

Liquids Containing Many Bubbles

Recommended Flowmeter: Ultrasonic Doppler Flowmeter. This type performs exceptionally well when measuring fluids with some bubbles.

Low Conductivity Media (e.g., Purified Water, Desalinated Water)

Recommended Flowmeter: OUF series Ultrasonic Flowmeters. It is well-suited for measuring such fluids.

Highly Corrosive Liquids (e.g., Acidic, Alkaline Solutions)

Recommended Flowmeters:

Electromagnetic Flowmeters with Acid/Alkali Resistant Linings

OUF series Ultrasonic Flowmeters

Additional Considerations for Selecting a Flowmeter

Option 1: For water temperatures below 80°C, conductive water, and wastewater that does not accumulate or form sludge in pipes, an OMF series Smart Electromagnetic Flowmeters is a suitable choice. It is a mature technology, highly resistant to electrical interference, requires minimal maintenance, and offers a moderate price point.

Option 2: If measuring non-conductive liquids, a vortex flowmeter is recommended but be mindful of flow velocity. At low flow rates, accuracy can decrease. If dealing with wastewater, precision may be lower, but reaching 1% accuracy is still acceptable.

If the non-conductive liquid is clean without particles, OUF series ultrasonic flowmeter and OLTF series liquid turbine flowmeter can also be used.

Kaifeng Oasis Instrument Co., Ltd is a professional manufacturer of the flowmeters mentioned above, our service team are ready to help clients whenever needed. If you have questions, please send us an email anytime!