Low flow meter-A short report

Choosing the right Low flow meters is a very challenging task to fulfill because they measure the micro fluids where high precision is required. Mechanical flow meters can not measure the micro fluids. Electrical flow meters also have several problems like insensitivity and response time. For large scale industries (food and beverages, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, oil, and gases) many mechanical flow meters are already available. But for measuring the flow rate of the micro fluids that are in micro liters and pico liters mini flow meters are used.

Initially thee micro fluids are used in 1980 in developing the print heads of the inkjet printers but later its application is also increased.DNA chips, nano-electronic chips, micro thermal technology are some of the modern applications of micro fluids. All the applications require highly precise and accurate measurements to measure the flow rate. It is not easy to choose the appropriate flow sensor for the micro fluids since the micro fluids require highly accurate measurement to operate.

For more details refer to https://www.silverinstruments.com/

A low flow meter is used to measure different types of liquids some of them are

• Allyl Glycidyl Ether
• Aqueous Metabisulfite
• Acetic Acid
• Aluminum Hydroxychloride
• Blood
• Carbon Tetrachloride
• Condensate
• Blood Solution
• Casein
• Continuum AE 315
• Blue DEF
• Castor Oil
• Dextrose Solution
• Dimethylamine
• Ethyl Acetate w/ Active Polymer
• Diamine
• Dowtherm

Working Principle of a Low/mini flow meter

Like all other flow meters low flow meters are used to measure the volumetric flow rate of the liquids but with high accuracy than others. A low flow meter is attached inline with the flow of the micro fluids. It consists of two straight-through or looped flow tube with RTDs (Resistance temperature  detector) on one

Head and the other cooled one attached outside. The primary flow signal is calculated by the temperature differential between the two RTDs (Resistance Temperature  Detector). The temperature differential is lower at high flow rates as it removes the heat more rapidly. While, the temperature differential is higher at a low flow rate as it removes the heat more rapidly. Accurate flow measurement is obtained irrespective of the pressure of the fluid because the fluid flow through the mini flow meter flow continuously and has a homogeneous composition. The self-diagnostic features allow the system to detect problems automatically and generate fault codes that can be reviewed later by the user.

Technical specifications

• High accuracy: ±0.5FS
• Fluids temperature: -30~80℃
• Operation pressure: 5Mpa, optional high pressure
• Output: pulse output
• Max frequency: 0.03 ml/
• Power supply: 4-26V DC
• Process connection: stainless steel 316L
• Material: stainless steel 316L or anodized aluminum

Benefits of Low flow meter

• No moving parts
• Exclusive inline TU sensor
• High definition LED display indicator.
• Advanced signal processing electronics
• Field adjustable; easy onsite calibration adjustments
• Hazardous environment options
• Instantaneous movement with liquid
• Maintenance-free
• Easy installation
• Choice of wetted materials
• Cost-efficient.
• Long-term reliability
• Stores up to four calibration curves
• Extended temperature compensation
• Optional remote electronics configuration
• Easy to operate.
• Low maintenance.

Applications of low flow meter

• Pharmaceutical industry – in a pharmaceutical industry critical parameters are followed to produce life-saving medicines. To control these parameters flow meters are used to regulate the mixing of chemicals, coloring coating of pills, defining the size of pills, coating of medicine. A low flow meter is used to attain high-quality standards.
• Food and beverages industry - Electromagnetic and mass flow meter is used to regulate the flow of acids and liquids respectively with high accuracy in the food and beverages sector. The low flow meter is used to regulate the flow of gases.
• Oil and gas industry – At petroleum refineries where the raw oil is processed to produce various petroleum products like diesel, petrol, kerosene oil, wax, etc. Critical measurement and analysis of the volumetric flow rate are required to process petroleum and produce petroleum products. Specially designed flow meter helps in regulating the volumetric flow rate during refining process making is safer and easy to operate.

Points to be considered before choosing the right magnetic inductive meter for you

• Property of fluid
• Operating time of pipe.
• Compatibility of the fluid with the sensor
• Type of display required i.e. integral or remote.
• Type of output required i.e. digital or analog.
• Minimum and maximum flow rate required for the flow meter.
• Minimum and maximum temperature required for the flow meter.
• Minimum and maximum pressure required for the flow meter.

Types of Low/mini flow meter

• Calorimetric low-flow liquid flow meter.
• Hotwire low-flow liquid flow meters.
• Time-of-flight low-flow liquid flow meters.
• Mechanical low-flow liquid flow meters.
• Differential pressure low-flow liquid flow meters.
• Positive displacement meter low-flow liquid flow meters.
• Coriolis low-flow liquid flow meters.
• Cantilever low-flow liquid flow meters.
• Vortex low-flow liquid flow meters.
• Acoustic-Ultrasonic low-flow liquid flow meters.
• Electro-Magnetic low-flow liquid flow meters.