Nitrogen Data logging - existing installation

[RaccoonV]

Hi,
I would like to understand the nitrogen consumption of my customers: their nitrogen flow profile (peaks and average consumption), to understand their possibilities of going for on-site nitrogen generation and proper sizing of a system.

For this, I was thinking of installing a flow meter at a point of their existing pipe, to be able to measure nitrogen flow data (CFM, m3/h) for one week (I need weekends to understand their overall consumption). And once I logged that data, read that data on my computer through any software.

Anyone with experience on this? Any brand/product you could recommend me to use?

Thank you, appreciate any type of help!

 

[SwinnyGG]

Depending on what process they are feeding with N2, one week may not get you the peak value you have to cover.

Average usage rate is very easy - how often are they replacing bottles, or taking delivery of liquid and in what quantities - but in order to capture usage peaks you need to look at their actual process.

 

[danw2]

I think Flexim now has a transit time clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter that can handle gases. I don't think Panametrics or Siemens can measure gas flow. Be aware that most other clamp-on brands are fairly new and do liquids only.

Potential Issues:
- detection at client's flow rates and pressure
- Power: AC available? battery power available?
- data collection/storage: on-board/internal logging or separate data logger?

 

[RaccoonV]

Thank you very much danw2, did not know about Flexim and his clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter. I will be contacting them to check on this.

 

[RaccoonV]

SwinnyGG,
Thank you for your response. This is how we usually calculate it. But I wanted to have a more accurate flow profile.