Inline flow meters are flow meters that display the flow rate on the site and are always installed permanently in the pipeline through which the fluids flow steadily to the display point. The inline water flow meter does not need many straight runs to display and record the flow rate measurements in the tube.
The inline flow meters are categorized into mechanical and digital flow meters, where many industries commonly use the digital to measure the inline flow rate in various substances. There are various types of inline water flow meters you can purchase at different-2 costs. Read this article for more information about the inline water flow meter.
Characteristics of inline flowmeters
i) Inline flow meters have got a remote type system.
ii) Inline water meters have a local LCD that displays the flow rate.
iii) Inline water meters can measure the flow rate of gases or liquids flowing in a pipe.
iv) When using an inline flow meter, you can choose special materials or objects depending on the area of application and working conditions.
v) The output signals in the inline flow meter are 4-20mA, pulse, and analog.
Types of inline flowmeters
There are various types of inline flow meters. System operators should choose the best type suitable for a specific operation to ensure the first and efficient measurement of the fluids in a tube, pipe, or channel. The most common types include;
1. Ultrasonic flowmeters
An ultrasonic flow meter is a digital inline flow meter that system operators use to measure the flow rate of viscous, clean, loaded, and highly loaded liquids except for highly viscous ones.
How ultrasonic flow meters work?
Ultrasonic flow meters work by measuring the velocity and the volume of fluids passing through the tube using a sound wave. Then there is little or no flow. The transmitted ultrasonic waves in the pipes and their reflections from the flowing substance are always the same. When the fluids are flowing, the doppler effect makes the frequency of the reflected wave differ.
Applications of ultrasonic flowmeters
i) Used in paper and pulp industries.
ii) Used in chemical industries.
iii) Used in mining industries.
iv) Used in pharmaceutical industries.
v) Used in food and beverage processing.
vi) Used in metal industries.
Advantages of ultrasonic flowmeters
i) Ultrasonic inline flow meters give the most accurate results when they are installed and mounted in the right way.
ii) Ultrasonic inline water meters have less maintenance cost due to their long-lasting capability. Their batteries last longer and consume less power.
iii) Ultrasonic flow meters have no moving past that can cause loss of pressure and blockage in the pipe sites.
iv) There is a wide range of ultrasonic flow meters such as analog and digital options which can record measurements in real-time operations.
Disadvantages of ultrasonic flowmeters
i) Ultrasonic flow meters cannot measure the flow rate of highly contaminated liquids and slurries, thus limits the measurement of some substances.
ii) Ultrasonic flow meters are more expensive to purchase and install than other types of flow meters; hence many system operators cannot afford them.
2. Turbine flow meters
A turbine flow meter is a type of digital inline flow meter that measures the cumulative and instantaneous flow of gases and liquids. They are also known as the impeller flow meters.
How turbine flow meters work?
Turbine flow meters work by measuring and calculating the flow of liquids and gases where one places a turbine in the flow line. The rotation speed of the turbine under the fluid flow is always proportional to that of the fluid in the pipe. This makes them suitable for large volumes of fluid flow.
At low volumes, the turbine usually takes longer to record accurate measurements. They require frequent maintenance since they operate at high temperatures and pressures where they offer less flow response to variations of the fluid flow.
Application of turbine flowmeters
i) Used in the treatment of water.
ii) Used in laboratory dispensing of chemicals.
iii) Used in testing the cleanliness of particles.
iv) Used to monitor the flow input in an analyzer.
v) Used in beverage processing industries.
Advantages of turbine flowmeters
i) Turbine flow meter is easy to purchase and install as compared to other flowmeter types.
ii) Turbine flow meters can measure both liquids and gases.
iii) Turbine flow meters provide highly accurate results.
iv) One can use turbine flow meters in many different applications.
v) Turbine flow meters are easy to install and operate.
Disadvantages of turbine flow meters
i) Turbine flow meters require regular check calibrations.
ii) High viscosity samples can cause errors in turbine flow meters.
iii) Turbine flow meters require dry and clean gases or liquids.
3. Vortex flowmeters
Vortex flow meters are digital inline flow meters that measure the flow of liquids, gases, and steam. They can work with loaded and unloaded fluids where a lot of maintenance practices are required. Vortex flow meters are suitable for measuring fluids with high rate than a low. At low flow rates, the measurement results are always inaccurate.
How does a vortex flowmeter work?
The vortex flowmeter works by forming some vortex at the downstream part of the pipe where the vortices similar to the vortex are placed into the fluid, and a pressure sensor then detects the pulse in the vortex detachment. The flow rate is always proportional to the number of fluid flow vortices.
Applications of inline vortex flowmeters
i) Used in irrigation system operations.
ii) Used in the distribution of drinking water.
iii) Used doctors in hospitals to dissolve some drugs.
iv) Used in industrial water applications.
v) Used in the building of water pipes.
Advantages of vortex flowmeters
i) The vortex flow meters give high accuracy in flow rate measurement.
ii) Inline vortex flowmeters have a wide range of flow measurements.
iii) Vortex flow meter causes minimum loss of pressure.
iv) The measuring component of the inline vortex flow meter is simple and has no moving parts; hence can last longer.
v) Heated parameters cannot affect the volumetric fluid rate flow measurements.
Disadvantages of vortex flowmeters
i) Vortex flow meters cannot measure low flow rate fluids.
ii) The destruction of the flow path leads to low-pressure mediums.
4. Electromagnetic flowmeters
Electromagnetic flow meters measure the electrical conductive liquids flow rate, both abrasive and highly loaded ones, where the voltage of the flow of fluid is proportional to the flow rate introduced in the electrodes. They require no maintenance since they have no moving parts and are always moderately priced despite the high accuracy level.
Advantages of electromagnetic flowmeters
i) Electromagnetic flow meters can measure the reverse flow of liquids.
ii) It provides a quick response in case of any changes in the liquid flow.
iii) There can be optimization in the measuring ranges of the fluid.
Disadvantages of Electromagnetic Flowmeters.
i) Electromagnetic flow meters are expensive to purchase and install.
ii) The inclusion of gases can cause errors.
iii) It cannot measure the flow rates under low velocity.
Conclusion
System operators use inline water flow meters to perform various applications; the type of application will determine which inline water meter to use. One can choose the other types such as thermal mass flow meters, variable area flow meters, etc.
