Turbine Flow Meters

Turbine flow meters measure the rate of flow in a pipe or process line via a rotor that spins as the media passes through its blades. The rotational speed is a direct function of flow rate and can be sensed by magnetic pick-up, photoelectric cell, or gears. 

Flow meters types can be either volumetric or velocity.  Volumetric turbine flow meters measure flow rate in units of volumetric flow, for example, mL/min.  Velocity turbine flow meters measure flow rate as in units of velocity, for example, ft/sec. 

Turbine flow meters can be configured to either measure liquid or gas flow.  Measuring the flow of liquids and gases is a critical need in many industrial plants. In some operations, the ability to conduct accurate flow measurements is so important that it can make the difference between making a profit and taking a loss. In other cases, inaccurate flow measurements or failure to take measurements can cause serious (or even disastrous) results.

Important parameters to consider when specifying turbine flow meters include velocity flow rate range, liquid volumetric flow rate, operating pressure, fluid temperature, material density, and material viscosity.  Velocity flow rate range applies only to those turbine flow meters that are velocity flow sensors or meters.  It is the range of flow in distance/time. Liquid volumetric flow rate applies only to those turbine flow meters that are liquid volumetric flow sensors or meters.  It is expressed as the range of flow in volume/time.  The operating pressure is the maximum head pressure of the process media the meter can withstand.  The maximum temperature of the media that can be monitored is usually dependent on construction and liner materials. Depending on the flow meter technology used, material viscosity can be an important material factor to consider. The higher the viscosity, typically the higher the pressure drop. Pipe diameter is also important to consider, especially when specifying specific mounting options. 

Mounting options for turbine flow meters include insertion types, in-line flanged, in-line threaded, and in-line clamp.  Insertion flow meters are inserted perpendicular to flow path. They usually require a threaded hole in the process pipe or other means of access.  In-line flanged flow meters are inserted parallel to the flow path, usually inserted between two pieces of existing flanged process pipes.  In-line threaded flow meters are inserted parallel to the flow path, and threaded into two existing process pipes.  NPT is the most common thread type.  In-line clamp flow meters are inserted parallel to the flow path, and clamped between two existing process pipes. Output options for turbine flow meters include analog voltage, analog current, frequency or pulse, and switch.

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