Flowmeter checking and calibration

[Alvaro_M]

Hi Forum, first time on this site.

I have to check and, if it's necessary, calibrate some magnetic flowmeters. I need help to find a method suitable for this devices and I don't know where to start.

Thanks

 

[mk3223]

Did you try to contact the vendor for calibrating this Mag flowmeter for you?

 

[Alvaro_M]

Thanks for the reply. The Company wants to do it on it's own, at least for now.

 

[EdStainless]

Yes, but you should know the methods that the manufacturer uses.
This is not a casual activity. How much metrology and calibration work do you do now?

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
P.E. Metallurgy

 

[LittleInch]

Sorry don't really understand this without some context.

To chack or calibrate a flow meter, you need some other , presumably more accurate, method of measuring the flow.
Do you have this available?
If not figure out how you're going to check and calibrate the meter.
a test bench or master meter or timed volumetric flow into a tank or vessel could work. No idea hat size, flow, fluid you're looking at here. Give us something more to go on if you want any more assistence.

Then digout the manual.
Often settings like this can be modified, but need to be in "supervsior" or "engineer" level which sometimes needs a pass word or even bespoke software. Or sometimes you do it all from the meter front plate.
But you really really need to understand what it is you're changing before you do so.
Hence this is why most people get the vendor in or some other specialist if the result could be $$$$ difference.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[eea]

I assume this is a large diameter / high flow situation? Absolutely contact the vendor, especially since you mentioned calibration. If it were a smaller flow, you might try the a simple fill test. We've done that with residential water services. Larger scale tests might use a reaction basin or holding tank that would allow for a measured fill time as well, but that is very installation specific.

 

[cvg]

I performed meter calibration testing for a while during my undergrad. we used a test bench which included a pump, venturi, volumetric tank/sump, and return piping of various sizes in a closed system(s) specifically built for testing irrigation and jet fuel flow meters. this was part of the university engineering research center. precise setup and measurement of the temperature, volume / mass, time and calculated flow rates was made. there was no adjustment of the meter, just a data sheet with certified test results. this was not something that could be easily done by the owner which is why they contracted with the university to do it for them.

 

[hacksaw]

Magmeters measure the millivolts produced by a conductive fluid in cross-flow.
Calibration, only consists of a millivolt test of the transmitting electronics.

Beyond that, meter problems usually involve, dirty electrodes, poor grounding, and such.

Meters do have a minimum flow requirement, and only work properly in liquid full piping, good luck.

 

[Alvaro_M]

Thank you all for your answers. I have a better idea now of what to do.

 

[Mconlon]

What is the line size?

 

[Nickco]

How did you calibrate the magnetic flowmeter? or is that not relevant anymore...

Nick
Ducon Environmental Systems

https://www.DuconEnv.com

 

[LittleInch]

So what are you going to do?

We like to know what the result/ action is not just "thanks and goodbye"

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[Alvaro_M]

To everyone who like to know. At the end after asking the provider and endless meetings, the company will make a diagnostics schelude (with the internal diagnostics function of each flowmeter) and checking with an portable ultrasonic flowmeter installed upstream the pipeline. The comparison difference should be less than 5% to be considered ok. If there's any error message or the difference criteria is failed we will call an specialized services.

The short answer is when the boss realized that calibration is not and easy task and will requiere specialized equipment and study decided to invest money on the problem.

thanks and goodbye

 

[LittleInch]

Thank you for sharing that with us. It sounds like a workable plan. Just be aware the portable U/S meters need some straight lengths and need pipes 100% full and no bubbles. As you show, they also have limited accuracy.

For this 5% difference is quite tight - you may want an intermediate zone of 5 to 10% before you call the specialists out.

Good luck.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.