Damage on Clamp on Sensors of Non contact ultrasonic clamp on Flow Meter

[charz]

The sensors of Flow meter (Non-contact ultrasonic clamp on) got damaged on the sensor face. It worked well for six months after installation, however, it suddenly got damaged on the sensor face. Nobody touched it after initial installation. What could be the possible reasons for this damage? Pics attached

How about the following possibilities?
1. The sensor rails were tightened more than required
2. Expansion of pipeline

 

[IRstuff]

Is the "damage" you refer to the cracking and breakage of the yellow stuff? What is the yellow stuff, and what are the operating conditions to which it was subjected?

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[charz]

The yellow stuff is the sensor face which is mounted on the pipe which transmits and receives the sound waves. The operating temperature was around -20-degree celsius before 2 months and now it is 25-degree celsius.

 

[ScottyUK]

Chemical attack? What has been on the outside of the pipe, either in the atmosphere or through leakage or washdown?

 

[charz]

The pumped liquid is just the raw water. There is no possibility of any chemical attack. It seems that physical force can be one of the reasons why the sensors were damaged, but I do not know why it got the physical force

 

[IRstuff]

What is the yellow stuff made of? Was it semi-liquid when applied? I see other yellow stuff that looks like remnants of a grease-like material.

Perhaps you can provide more details, like the installation process, materials, make/model.

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[charz]

It is a mineral grease applied on the face of the sensor to increase the conductivity of the sound waves. It is a block of plastic/ nylon material.

 

[IRstuff]

Do you have a datasheet for the material?

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[btrueblood]

" Nobody touched it after initial installation."

The nobody who touched it doesn't want to admit that he touched it.

 

[IRstuff]

Certain nylons tend to deteriorate on their own. The coupler used between the collet head and motor in a Dremel tool is one such. They last about 5 years and then crumbles under load.

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[georgeverghese]

If I remember correctly, the last time we installed these US clamp on meters, we installed chain guard fencing around each of them, since they were located close to grade. We also paid the meter supplier to install and commission these into service.