Portable Flow Meters

[jbuchyns]

I am going to purchase a portable (battery-powered, fits in the trunk type) flow meter/datalogger for recording flows at pumping stations, reservoirs, and watermains accessed via underground chambers. Typical diameters are 600-1800mm (24"-72&quot at v's up to 2.5 m/s, with reverse flows a definite possibility out in the system.

I'm thinking of going with an insertion meter(either mag or turbine), as there isn't always room to use a clamp on in some of the chambers.

Can anyone who has had experience in field flow measurement using portable meters give me a heads up on what to look for, what their experiences have been, and what products do or do not work well?

Thanks,

Jeff Buchyns
City of Toronto Water Supply

 

[quark]

Jeff!

If affordability is not a problem mag flow meters are good choice, for they can also detect reverse flow conditions. Generally mag flow meters come with minimum 15 turn down ratios. Sizing of the meter is very important. Incase of mag meters if your conductivity is morethan 5 microsiemen/cm you can use mag flow meters. If you have specific questions I will try to answer.

Regards, Even the hardest of the problems will have atleast one simple solution. Mine may not be one.

 

[Ahmedv]

Hi
If you are looking for a reliable and simple "intrusive" meter, I recommend a vane type, which I use for measuring gas and liquid flow. Ive even used it to measure the flow of sub atmospheric steam.

http://www.hoentzsch.com/English/body_english.html

Good Luck

Ahmed Vawda
Process Engineer
Al Khaleej Sugar - Dubai
avawda@aksugar.co.ae

 

[zakialhassan]

To measure flow in pipes using current technology quite tricky sometimes. To buy insertion type is good but please make sure it will work for all your location before you buy it. Insertion normally works good for gravity flow. I hope you just need only one type of portable flowmeter.

good luck.

 

[PUMPDESIGNER]

SeaMetrics has a good insertion turbine, battery powered.
1-1/2" pipe thread insertion.
Lithium battery lasts around 5 years by our experience.
Sapphire bearings allow accuracy down to about .3 feet per second by our experience and by specifications, which is much superior to many insertion paddlewheel or turbine meters.
Very simple programming, entry of K factor, units, etc.
Digital display.

Homepage for SeaMetrics:

http://www.seametrics.com/

Model TX201B-04 is the turbine, FT-415 is the battery powered display.

We sell them if you want one.
rn@irrigationcraft.com

PUMPDESIGNER

 

[glennpan]

Jeff,

You mentioned that reverse flows are a possibility. Do you want to measure the reverse flow?

As far as technologies go:

1. Mag meters are going to be extremely expensive at the very large pipe sizes. They will work well however, and are a good selection.

2. Transit time ultrasonic flow meters are probably the best choice and will give you the best bang for your buck at those sizes. The only problem is as you stated, if you don't have the room to clamp on the sensors, it can't be used.

3. Most insertion paddlewheel or turbine style sensors (including the one listed above in a different post)are not able to be used in pipe sizes greater than 36".

4. Target style insertion meters may also be a possibility.

Hope this helps.

Glenn