Rotameter Characteristics

A very wide range of liquids can be handled by the rotameter. A wide choice of tube, float, end fitting, and packing or 0-ring materials are available for the particular service being considered. Even liquid metals like mercury and liquid lead can be metered. Since these metals are more dense than the stainless steel float, they are metered by an inverted rotameter. In this case, the flow is from top to bottom. When the meter is full of the liquid metal but there is no flow, the stainless steel float is buoyed up by the heavier liquid and rests at the inlet which is at the top. When there is l f ow, the flow forces the float down against the net buoyant force and the float takes a position related to the flow rate.