Comparing Flow Meter Technology - Choosing The Meter

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Comparing Flow Meter Technology: Choosing the Meter

by Maggie Schmidt | Jun 7, 2016 | Flow, Measurement Instrumentation
Maggie Schmidt
Flow Marketing Communications Manager / Blogger
 
After exploring how each flow meter works the way it does, learn more about which is the best fit
for your needs and why. The price of the meter technology is one aspect to consider as well as
installation and life cycle costs for the total ownership cost (includes factors such as footprint, flow
conditioning, maintenance and calibration requirements).
For a brief overview of the different types of flow meters, click here!
Coriolis – $$$, total cost $$
Accuracy 0.05%
Advantages
Best measurement accuracy

Measures mass flow, liquid density and temperature
Flow profile insensitive
Unaffected by changes in temperature and pressure
Best rate of turndown
Suitable for gas, liquids, or slurry measurement
https://www.emersonautomationexperts.com/2016/measurement-instrumentation/comparing-flow-meter-technology-choosing-the-meter/ 1/10
Able to measure high viscous fluids

Bi-directional
Low maintenance
Highly repeatable
Reliable
Disadvantages
Pressure drop might be higher (appropriate sizing mitigates)

Susceptible to severe system noise
Limited in large line sizes (>12″)
Low flow rates may result in lower measurement accuracy
Typical Applications
Custody transfer by mass and/or volume, precision batching, filling/dispensing, loading/unloading,

continuous process control/monitoring, mass balance, density and/or concentration
measurement, blending, utility metering, chemical injection, allocation, fuel consumption
Magnetic – $$, total cost $

Accuracy 0.15%
Advantages
• Not constrained by Reynolds number or flow profiles
• Immune to process variable changes such as temperature
• High range of turndown
• Negligible pressure loss with no obstructions
• Able to handle large particles and chemicals
• Not sensitive to variation in fluid velocity
• Large line sizes
• Variety of wetted path materials
• Low power
• Bi-directional
Disadvantages
Unable to measure gases and hydrocarbons

Typical minimum fluid conductance of 5 microsiemens (µS) required
Low conductivity versions available for fluid conductivities as low as 0.1 microsiemens (µS)
Electronics must be on same ground potential as the process

Use caution if installing near high voltage equipment to ensure proper meter isolation and
process reference
Potential issues with electrode coating
Conductive fluids in batching, filling/dispensing, continuous process control, utility metering,
loading/unloading
Positive Displacement (PD) flow – $$, total cost $$
Accuracy 0.1%-2.0% depending on type
Advantages
Well understood and widely used technology

High turndown capacity
Suitable for high pressure applications
Relatively inexpensive and easy to install
Disadvantages
Frequent maintenance required

Potential for back flow from larger particle block
Inaccuracies
Custody transfer by volume, batching, dispensing, allocation, chemical injection, fuel
measurement, high pressure, hydraulic testing
Turbine – $, total cost $$
Accuracy 0.25%
Advantages
High accuracy and repeatability with clean fluids

High pressure and temperature tolerance
Fast response rate
Disadvantages
Two-phase flows may cause inaccuracies

Frequent maintenance required
Installation in small areas can be difficult
Wear out with non-lubricating fluids
Accuracy impacted by fluid characteristics (i.e. viscosity)
Custody transfer by volume, batching, filling/dispensing, mass balance, blending, allocation,
process control/monitoring
Ultrasonic – $$$, total cost $$$
Accuracy Wetted: 1% -2%, Non-invasive: 3% -10%
Advantages
Measures both liquids and gases

Reduced maintenance
No pressure drop
High turndown
Bi-directional
Large line sizes
Disadvantages
Partially filled pipes cause signal loss and lead to difficulty measuring
Transducer coatings can deflect beam and corrupt measurement
Process temperature can affect sound velocity and ultrasonic beam angle
Multiphase flow can cause error
Custody transfer by volume, precision batching, loading/unloading, continuous process control,
mass balance, blending, utility metering, allocation
Vortex – $$, total cost $
Volumetric flow accuracy: 0.65% (liquid), 1.0% (gas)

Mass flow accuracy (temperature compensated): 2.0%
Advantages
2-wire configuration means lower cost

25%-40% reduced installation expense
Performs in extreme conditions
No field calibration required
Less leak potential, so fewer emissions
Wide flow range accuracy
No moving parts
Disadvantages
Not for low flow applications

Unsuitable for high viscosity fluids
Inaccurate in high vibration environments
Steam, gas and liquid measurement in batching, filling/dispensing, continuous process control,
utility metering
Differential Pressure (DP) flow – $, installed cost $$
Accuracy 1%
Advantages
Well understood and widely used technology

Established custody transfer and flow measurement standards
Wide variety of primary elements for multiple application suitability
Cost effective
Easy to calibrate in the field
Disadvantages
Consumes a large amount of available line pressure

Potentially difficult to install with flow conditioning straight pipe runs
Increased pumping and compression costs
Possible leak points due to traditional configuration
Custody transfer by volume, batching, filling/dispensing, mass balance, blending, allocation,
process control/monitoring, allocation
A variety of factors must play into flow meter choice, as processes that require more precision
should rely on a meter with finer accuracy, and if upkeep is a concern then low maintenance
meters should be chosen. And–while you have to keep to a budget, choosing cost effective or more
comprehensive meters–up front costs aren’t always as impactful as they seem, as savings over time
will more than make up for the initial investment.
Consider the advantages and disadvantages and compare to the specific dynamics of your process
when choosing the best Emerson flow meter for your company.
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7/31/23, 6:17 PM Comparing Flow Meter Technology: Choosing the Meter

Comparing Flow Meter Technology: Choosing the Meter

Coriolis – $$$, total cost $$

Best measurement accuracy

Able to measure high viscous fluids

Pressure drop might be higher (appropriate sizing mitigates)

Custody transfer by mass and/or volume, precision batching, filling/dispensing, loading/unloading,

Magnetic – $$, total cost $

Unable to measure gases and hydrocarbons

Electronics must be on same ground potential as the process

Positive Displacement (PD) flow – $$, total cost $$

Accuracy 0.1%-2.0% depending on type

Well understood and widely used technology

Frequent maintenance required

Turbine – $, total cost $$

High accuracy and repeatability with clean fluids

Two-phase flows may cause inaccuracies

Ultrasonic – $$$, total cost $$$

Accuracy Wetted: 1% -2%, Non-invasive: 3% -10%

Measures both liquids and gases

Vortex – $$, total cost $

Volumetric flow accuracy: 0.65% (liquid), 1.0% (gas)

2-wire configuration means lower cost

Not for low flow applications

Differential Pressure (DP) flow – $, installed cost $$

Well understood and widely used technology

Consumes a large amount of available line pressure

Valve Actuator Automated Driving Reliability Improvements

Improving Pulp and Paper Mill

Emerson Automation Experts Comment Policy

What do you think?

G Join the discussion…

LOG IN WITH OR SIGN UP WITH DISQUS ?

 Share Best Newest Oldest

Reduce Process Noise Without

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