Readings on Ultrasonic Flowmeters

One of the most surprising developments in flowmeter technology in the past some years has been the rapid growth in ultrasonic flowmeters. More and more users are recognizing the benefits of the nonintrusive technology that ultrasonic flowmeters offer.

Advantages Of Ultrasonic Flowmeters

Ultrasonic flowmeters have a distinct advantage. Unlike Coriolis meters, ultrasonic flowmeters do well in large pipe sizes. More than half the Coriolis meters are sold for pipe sizes of two inches or less, while some Coriolis meters have successfully been used in four inch and six-inch lines. For pipes six inches and larger, ultrasonic flowmeters generally are a better choice.
Ultrasonic flowmeters have an advantage over magnetic flowmeters in that they can be used to measure the flow of nonconductive liquids, gases and steam.
Ultrasonic flowmeters have an advantage over vortex flowmeters in that they can meter low flows with better accuracy.
Ultrasonic meters are also less intrusive, with the exception of insertion meters.

Ultrasonic flowmeters have an advantage over differential pressure (DP) flowmeters in that they are non-intrusive, with them exception of insertion meters. The intrusiveness of DP flowmeters varies with the primary element used.

Ultrasonic flowmeters claim several advantages over turbine meters. They are either less intrusive or non-intrusive, depending on the model. Also, they do not have moving parts that are subject to wear.

Ultrasonic Flowmeter Technology

Transit-time flowmeters utilise two transducers, which function as both ultrasonic transmitters and receivers. The transducers are clamped to the outside of a closed pipe at a specific distance from each other. This distance is calculated by the flowmeter after all pipe and medium parameters have been entered into the instrument.

Ultrasonic flowmeters utilize two different technologies: Transit time and Doppler. Both are primarily used for closed pipe applications. Transit time ultrasonic flowmeters have two transducers that send two acoustic signals from one side of the pipe to the other. One transducer is a sending transducer and the other is a receiving transducer.

Transit time flowmeters are mainly used on clean liquids. For dirty liquids, e.g., liquids containing particles or bubbles, Doppler ultrasonic flowmeters are used. Doppler flowmeters also have two transducers that act as sender and receiver.

Application

Transit-time Ultrasonic flowmeter is designed to work in clean liquids. They are used in a variety of applications and environments as listed the Tables 1 and 2 below. Over the years, the technology has also found applications in 'dirty liquids'. The applicability of a TUFF to dirty liquids is often manufacturer dependant.

Industries Using Ultrasonic Flowmeters

The water and wastewater industry has traditionally been the leading industry using ultrasonic flowmeters. In 1996, well over one-third of the ultrasonic flowmeters sold worldwide were sold into the water & wastewater industry. Much of this use is by municipalities that use ultrasonic flowmeters to measure water coming into and leaving water treatment plants.

A Look Ahead

Ultrasonic flowmeters have become the fastest growing flowmeter, outpacing even the rapid growth rate of Coriolis mass flowmeters. This growth rate is expected to increase even further as more users become familiar with the advantages of ultrasonic flowmeters. Many companies wait until they hear success stories from other users to adopt a new flowmeter technology, and today those success stories are becoming more commonplace.

Ultrasonic flowmeters utilize two different technologies: Transit time and Doppler. Both are primarily used for closed pipe applications.You need More visit at: Readings on Ultrasonic Flowmeters