Good mass flowmeter required 2

[CARF]

Hi all,

From the past I remember massflowmeters used to be quite sensitive for mechanical vibrations.

1) How are the current massflowmeters performing on this?
2) Good / bad experience with which manufactures?
3) I want to measure a "foamy fluid", is this possible with a massflowmeter?

Thanks for sharing knowledge,
MVD

 

[741976]

It is better to go with positive displacement type flow meter. Accuracies upto 0.1% can be achieved.What is liquid you want to measure.

 

[CARF]

I want to measure apple juice with all and seeds fibres in it. It may contain some bubbles as well.

MVD

 

[saxon]

MVD, Check with Micromotion and Foxboro, regarding their Coriolis Mass Flow devices. This type of flow measurement device whould be a perfect fit for your application.

Hope this helps.
saxon

 

[CARF]

Thanks,

Seems to be the best.

http://www.emersonprocess.com/micromotion/

Especially with "MVD" technology ; )

 

[ICman]

Coriolis meters have improved substantially in the vibration area. I remember having to mount them in concrete footings, separated from the main flooring. They are much less sensitive to external vibration now.

They will work with foam, but I don't know about the seeds. Enough solid particles may effect the vibration.

You might want to consider ultrasonic flowmeters. I've had excellent results with those.

 

[CARF]

Thanks all,

Do massflowmeters require any specific installation / hook-up ???

(I know from magflow meters vertical pipe with upwards flow is recommended.)

Please let me know your findings,
MVD

 

[brianslater]

Hi MVD
IMHO you really need to spec out your process fully first before the good people here can offer you informed opinions.
Apple juice is a new one on me, but then I am petrochem.
I am puzzled as to why you need massflow, what is your line size ?
presumably because you have a frothy process fluid?
but what accuracy do you need - <1%, 5%, 10%? Is there a way you can deflocculate. The corriolis meter may offer a good solution, but apple pips? can you removes these first (cyclone separator?) or place the meter somewhere else.
I mention these because you can often find a better place to make your measurment which then reduces your problem.
One guy I knew specialised in making turbine meters and meter provers for the beer brewing industry (its more expensive than petrol and has higher duty).

 

[CARF]

Hi, thanks for thinking with me,

Yes, we have very frothy fluid. We now measure with hygienic magnetic flowmeters, but they give bad readings because of the foam. (As. you know magflowmeters in fact measure fluid/foam velocity and convert to volume flow by multplying wit the pipe cross sectional area.)

Turbine meters are not an option because they are not hygienic, mis-measure with frothy fluid as well and they might block with these fibry, sticky fluids.

We have DN65 and DN100 pipes. A mass flowmeter will give density as an extra output, we can use this information very well.

Money is no problem, we're looking for reliable and accurate stuff.

Regards,
MVD

 

[navvin]

Straight tube Coriolis meters must be better than U-tubes & S-tubes, for your application, considering the apple seeds. Emerson has a straight tube Coriolis meter with titanium (food grade) tubes, which seem to suit your application.

 

[SantoshKPG]

Hi MVD,

Mass flow meters technology has improved considerably and as long as you do the proper supporting there should not be any problem .Further it is advisable to have a vent valve at the downstream side so that if there is any water hammer effects then it can be taken care .

The mass flow meter can be definately used for flow measurement of foamy solutions with an accuracy of +/- 0.1% of flow rate .

Santosh1KPG

 

[selvarani]

Dear sir,
1.There are many types of mass flow meters available,in which coriolis mass folw meters are working based on the attenuation in the vibration of the measuring tube basically,so it is not suitable for vibration areas and you cant give any support to the flowmeter which itself affects the accuracy.but thermal mass folwmeters are suitable for vibrating areas.
2.in my field experiece rosemount micromotion is better choice for coriolis type mass flowmeter.
3.for foaming liquids mass flowmeter will not give expected results,you should have some flow conditioners before the flowmeter.

 

[SantoshKPG]

Dear Selvarani,

To answer your questions

1.0 When the liquid flows through the mass flow meter tubes,there is a twist in the tubes due to Coriolis forces which are generated in the tube .In case there is lot of vibrations in the line you can go for remote mounting of meter .When I say supporting it means line supporting .

2.0 Micromotion is a brand name and are pioneers in this technology .

3.0 Flow conditioners are required for Volumetric flow measurement .In case of coriolis meters we are measuring mass flow .Hence I do not agree with you .

Thanks .

 

[CARF]

Hi still reading your posts, thanks,

Tommorow I invited Emersson to have a chat.
Anybody has a smart question for them?

Cheers,
MVD

 

[jsummerfield]

The foaming application is not likely suitable for a coriolis meter. I think that they must be liquid full. Consider asking the manufactures if installing the flow meter in a low point with an increase in elevation downstream may be sufficient for the foaming application.

In addition to the manufacturers mentioned in this thread, several other manufacturers exist. There are other mass flow technologies such as thermal. Check with FCI to see if their technology fits the foam application.

John Summerfield, PE

 

[shobi]

You should also look into Endress & Hauser coriolis meters. We use them in our plant extensively and find them very reliable and maintenance free (we did not get very good results from Micromotion though). Anyway talk to as many vendors as you can and compare.

 

[jae3806]

DEfinately a job for coriolis meters. See that Rosemount have issued a paper on how to check the calibration of these units onsite without the need to send away for recal. Their idea has merit.