Flow

Types of Flow Meters

Selecting the right flow meter depends on your specific application, fluid type, accuracy requirements and installation conditions. Each flow measurement technology offers distinct advantages:

Electromagnetic Flow Meters

Electromagnetic flow meters use Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction to measure conductive liquids. With no moving parts and minimal pressure drop, these water flow meters are ideal for clean and dirty liquids including water, wastewater and corrosive chemicals.

Ultrasonic Flow Meters

Ultrasonic flow meters measure flow using sound waves transmitted through the fluid. Available as clamp-on or inline versions, these non-invasive flow sensors work with liquids, gases and steam without interrupting your process.

Coriolis Flow Meters

Coriolis flow meters directly measure mass flow rate by detecting the deflection of vibrating tubes as fluid flows through them. These flow measurement devices provide exceptional accuracy and can measure density and temperature simultaneously.

Vortex Flow Meters

Vortex flow meters detect vortices created as fluid passes an obstruction in the flow path. Suitable for measuring liquids, gases and steam, these flow sensors have no moving parts and offer reliable performance across a wide range of applications.

Thermal Mass Flow Meters

Thermal mass flow meters measure gas flow by detecting heat transfer from a heated element. These gas flow meters directly measure mass flow without requiring pressure or temperature compensation.

Variable Area Flow Meters

Variable area flow meters, also known as rotameters, provide simple visual flow indication. The float position inside a tapered tube indicates the flow rate, making these flow measurement devices ideal for straightforward monitoring applications.

Differential Pressure Flow Meters

Differential pressure flow meters measure flow by detecting the pressure drop across an obstruction such as an orifice plate or pitot tube. These proven flow measurement devices work with liquids, gases and steam in demanding industrial environments.

Choosing the Right Flow Meter

When selecting flow measurement devices for your application, consider these key factors:

Fluid Type

Different flow meters suit different fluids. Water flow meters for clean liquids differ from those needed for slurries or corrosive chemicals. Gas flow meters require technologies specifically designed for compressible fluids.

Accuracy Requirements

Process control applications may require high-precision flow sensors, while simple monitoring tasks can use cost-effective flow measurement devices with standard accuracy.

Installation Conditions

Consider pipe size, material, accessibility and whether you can interrupt the process. Clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters install without cutting pipes, while inline flow sensors may require process shutdown.

Maintenance Needs

Flow meters with no moving parts, such as electromagnetic and ultrasonic types, typically require less maintenance than mechanical flow measurement devices.

Our experienced team can help you select the most suitable flow meter for your specific application. Contact us to discuss your flow measurement requirements.