Ultrasonic Flowmeter Installation Methods and Selection
Insertion-type ultrasonic flowmeter: A dedicated drilling device allows installation without stopping production. Typically single-channel measurement; for higher accuracy, a three-channel configuration can be selected.
Spool-piece ultrasonic flowmeter: Requires cutting the pipe for installation, but subsequent maintenance can be done without stopping production. Single-channel or three-channel sensors can be selected.
Clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeter: Capable of both fixed and portable measurements. Installed using a special coupling agent (room-temperature curing silicone rubber or high-temperature long-chain polymer grease) without damaging the pipe.
Portable ultrasonic flowmeter: Portable use, built-in rechargeable lithium battery, suitable for mobile measurements, paired with magnetic sensors.
Handheld ultrasonic flowmeter: Compact and lightweight, built-in rechargeable lithium battery, handheld use, paired with magnetic sensors.
Explosion-proof ultrasonic flowmeter: Used for liquid flow measurement in explosive environments, with combined explosion-proof and intrinsic safety. The converter is explosion-proof, and the sensor is intrinsically safe.
Flow measurement system: Comprises multiple ultrasonic flowmeters and a system master station. Suitable for centralized measurement of multiple pipelines.
Ultrasonic heat meter: Used for heat measurement in heating systems.
Battery-powered ultrasonic flowmeter: An integrated ultrasonic flowmeter powered by a single lithium battery. Suitable for locations without mains power supply; one battery can last up to ten years, with multiple measurement functions.
Spool-piece ultrasonic flowmeter integrates the transducers and the measuring tube into one unit, solving a difficult problem encountered with clamp-on flowmeters in measurement. Moreover, its measurement accuracy is higher than other ultrasonic flowmeters, but it sacrifices the advantage of clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeters that do not require interrupting flow for installation, as the pipe must be cut to install the transducers.
Insertion-type
The insertion-type ultrasonic flowmeter lies between the two above types. Installation can be done without interrupting flow: using a special tool, a hole is drilled in a pipe containing water, and the transducer is inserted into the pipe to complete installation. Since the transducer is inside the pipe, signal transmission and reception only pass through the measured medium, not through the pipe wall or lining, so measurement is not limited by pipe material or lining.
Selection of ultrasonic flowmeters
In addition to the types mentioned above, digital ultrasonic flowmeters using digital circuits have emerged in recent years, as well as integrated ultrasonic flowmeters that combine the transducer and converter into one unit. With so many types available, users should select appropriately based on actual conditions and measurement needs.
Doppler ultrasonic flowmeter
Can only be used to measure fluids containing particles or bubbles that can reflect ultrasonic signals, such as industrial effluent, untreated sewage, and factory process liquids with stable impurity content. Note that it has stringent requirements for the measured medium: it cannot be clean water, and the impurity content must be relatively stable for normal measurement. Moreover, different manufacturers' instruments have different performance and requirements for the measured medium. When choosing this type, it is essential to know the measured medium well and have a thorough understanding of the selected flowmeter's performance, accuracy, and requirements for the medium.
Portable ultrasonic flowmeter
Suitable for temporary measurements, mainly used for verifying the operation of other flow instruments already installed on pipelines, conducting fluid balance tests within an area, checking current flow conditions, etc. If not for permanent installation but for these purposes, a portable ultrasonic flowmeter is both convenient and economical.
Transit-time ultrasonic flowmeter
The transit-time ultrasonic flowmeter is currently the most widely produced and used type. It is mainly used to measure clean fluid flow, applied in water supply companies and industrial water fields. Additionally, it can measure uniform fluids with low impurity content (impurity concentration < 10g/L, particle size < 1mm), such as sewage, with accuracy up to ±1.5%. Practical applications show that selecting a transit-time ultrasonic flowmeter achieves satisfactory results for corresponding fluid measurements.
Spool-piece ultrasonic flowmeter
High accuracy, up to ±0.5%, and not limited by pipe material or lining, suitable for applications requiring high measurement accuracy. However, as pipe diameter increases, cost also rises. Typically, selecting a spool-piece ultrasonic flowmeter with small to medium diameter is more economical. Insertion-type ultrasonic flowmeter: A dedicated drilling device allows installation without stopping production. Typically single-channel measurement; for higher accuracy, a three-channel configuration can be selected.
Spool-piece ultrasonic flowmeter: Requires cutting the pipe for installation, but subsequent maintenance can be done without stopping production. Single-channel or three-channel sensors can be selected.
Clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeter: Capable of both fixed and portable measurements. Installed using a special coupling agent (room-temperature curing silicone rubber or high-temperature long-chain polymer grease) without damaging the pipe.
Portable ultrasonic flowmeter: Portable use, built-in rechargeable lithium battery, suitable for mobile measurements, paired with magnetic sensors.
Handheld ultrasonic flowmeter: Compact and lightweight, built-in rechargeable lithium battery, handheld use, paired with magnetic sensors.
Explosion-proof ultrasonic flowmeter: Used for liquid flow measurement in explosive environments, with combined explosion-proof and intrinsic safety. The converter is explosion-proof, and the sensor is intrinsically safe.
Flow measurement system: Comprises multiple ultrasonic flowmeters and a system master station. Suitable for centralized measurement of multiple pipelines.
If you need more information about ultrasonic flowmeters and Doppler ultrasonic flowmeters, please call Dayu Electronics hotline: 0591-28082552 or contact QQ: 2187169532.