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What is a liquid flow meter and its types?

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Naman Modi
What is a liquid flow meter and its types?

Advancement in technology has eased various industrial applications in today’s world. The use of flow meters helps measure the flow rate of substances in oil, chemical, food and beverage, fuel industries, etc. A liquid flow meter measures the linear, non-linear mass and volume of a fluid flow rate.

One calculates the liquid flow rate by measuring the velocity of the liquid flowing in the pipe. The application of your fluid flow meter type will determine the best liquid flow meter for you. It would help if you inquired from the engineers how the liquid flow meters operate, their advantages and disadvantages for you to choose the best.

Liquid flow meters are classified according to what type of liquid they measure and how they operate. We will see some of the classes, their areas of applications, advantages, and disadvantages on each.

Types of liquid flow meters

1.Velocity flowmeters
The system operators determine the flow rate by calculating the speed at different points and integrating it into the whole area where the flow takes place. Some examples under these flow meters are; electromagnetic, ultrasonic, turbine flow meters, etc.

Applications of velocity flowmeters

i)Used in treating wastewater.
ii) Used in oil refinery industries.
iii) Used in the generation of power.
iv) Used in chemical industries.

Advantages
i)Velocity flow meters are made of various materials hence can measure the flow rate of many different types of liquids or fluids

ii) It can measure the flow rate of the pulse since it has a lower rotor mass, enhancing quick response on the flow.

iii) You can use one meter to measure many liquid flow rates.

iv) Velocity flow meters are cheap to purchase and install.

v) Turbine flow meters provide the most accurate results of liquid flow measurement.

Disadvantages

i)Less downstream pressure of the flowing liquid may lead to bubbles or flashes, interfering with the measurement readings.

ii) Velocity flow meters can lead to drops of immense pressure.

iii) There should be lengths of straight pipes to enhance the downstream and upstream measurements.

2. Differential pressure flow meters
Differential pressure is a type of liquid flow meter which measures the flow rate of liquids. It uses its primary and secondary parts where the natural part changes the energy movement, thus leading to differential pressure within the pipe. In contrast, the second part determines the fluid flow by calculating the differential pressure and giving out the signal on the results.

Some examples of differential pressure flow meters are; flow nozzles, venturi tubes, flow tubes, orifices, etc.

Applications
Differential pressure flow meters measure the flow rate of various substances in the refinery, gas, and oil industries.

Advantages
i)Differential pressure flow meters can measure highly viscous liquids since they come in various versions

ii) They can measure the flow rate of liquids, steam, and gases.

iii) You can use them under extreme pressures and temperatures.

iv) It determines the change in liquid flow ranges.

Disadvantages

i)Differential pressure flow meters have more extended inlet and outlet sections.

ii) It has a smaller life span due to the square root relationship between the differential pressure and the flow rate.

iii) They are expensive to purchase and install.

iv) Differential pressure requires frequent maintenance costs, which may be difficult for some people.

3. Mass flowmeters
System operators use mass flow meters to measure the mass flow rate of liquids in pipes. These examples include; Coriolis and thermal mass flow meters. They also measure the flow rate of liquids whose viscosity varies with their velocity. Mass flow meters provide an accurate mass measurement of chemical reactions and heat transfer.

Applications
Mass flow meters measure the mass flow rate in various applications such as; mining, pharmaceutical, wastewater, and power industries.

Advantages
i)Mass flow meters provide highly accurate results on liquids measurement.

ii) They can measure the flow rate of fluids that are difficult to handle.

iii) Mass flow meters do not require regular maintenance since they have no moving parts.

iv) They do not require straight pipe lengths since they operate independently on flow profile, turbulence, and density changes.

Disadvantages

i)Detecting results in high-pressure drops requires high-velocity flow.

ii) Mass flow meters make it challenging to measure the mass flow rate of gases under low pressure.

iii) They cannot measure the flow rate under large pipes.

iv) Mass flow meters are more expensive than other flow meters.

4. Positive displacement flow meters
Various positive displacement flow meters are; oval gear, reciprocating piston, rotary vane, and nutating disk meters. They work by directly measuring the liquid flow rate in the pipe using fitted rotors where the spinning of the rotors is directly proportional to the volume of the liquid displaced.

Applications
Positive displacement flow meters measure the flow rate of adhesive, paints, and petrochemicals in the power, pharmaceutical, chemical, and food industries.

Advantages
i)Positive displacement flow meters require low operation costs.

ii) They provide highly accurate results.

iii) They have a longer service life than other flow meters.

Disadvantages
i)Positive displacement flow meters are limited to liquids of high viscosity.

ii) They are heavy and expensive to purchase, especially in large diameter pipes.

Conclusion
One should choose the best type of liquid flow meter by considering their applications. In addition, open channel flow meters are also types of fluid flow meter that measure the flow rate in open channels like rivers, streams, lakes, etc.

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