5 Things to keep in mind when installing a flow meter

Installation of EMFM

Install the flow meter yourself

Following the purchase of a flowmeter, proper installation and calibration are the subsequent stages in maintaining the equipment over its lifetime and lowering the cost of ownership to maximize the total facility’s cost savings.

Once you’ve decided on the ideal flowmeter for each fluid and application, making sure that it is installed correctly, is crucial for accurate flow readings. If your flowmeter “doesn’t function,” it’s likely that it wasn’t installed correctly.

Let’s have a look at some typical installation suggestions to help you save money and get the most out of your flowmeters.

1- Check the measuring fluid conditions

Make sure the fluid you’re measuring is a single-phase fluid, which means it’s either a gas or a liquid. If the fluid is two-phased, the flow meter must be selected with the expectation of measurement under such conditions in mind. Also check the conductivity of the fluid, because some flow meters work well only in a certain range of conductivity. The fluid type is important and needs to be checked, as in cases like steam flow measurement, the steam user has to be clear about whether the steam is saturated or superheated. In the case of hydrocarbons, only certain types of flow meters work. The same thing is true for the measurement of gas flow, where only specific types of flow meters like Thermal Mass Flow Meters work.

 

2- Check Flow Meter orientation

The orientation of a flow meter’s installation can have a significant impact on the meter’s performance and accuracy. A straight run of at least 10 diameters upstream and 5 diameters downstream is required in most installations. Figure-1 shows ideal locations for flow meter installation.

 

3- Check if the flow pipeline is fully filled

Even if there is no flow, the flow meter should always be put in a position where it is filled with fluid when installing a flow meter. Figure-2 shows suggested pipeline modification if a partial flow condition exists.

 

 

 

 

4- Installing pipeline to avoid bubbles

Gas escapes the liquid solution due to a sudden pressure drop in the flow line. Valves with sudden variations in diameter are prone to gasification. This can create problems in flow measurement. Therefore, it’s critical to build the pipe in such a way that bubbles don’t form. Piping design experts need to be consulted when there is a complex piping network.

 

5- Flowmeter calibration

When it comes to determining efficiency, performance, and cost savings, your flow meter’s measurement accuracy is crucial. As a result, the more precise your flowmeter is, the more reliable data you’ll have to make cost-cutting decisions. So, before you install the flow meter, make sure it’s calibrated for accuracy. It is advisable to get all the flow meters on the field calibrated periodically.

 

You can ensure the optimum functionality of your flow meter now that you’ve learned about the most critical guidelines for installing a flow meter.

If you require any additional information, please contact us at digimark@manasmicro.com or visit our website at www.manasmicro.com.

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