Ultrasonic flow meters are volumetric flow meters that use ultrasonic technology to measure the flow velocity of flowing media. They primarily come in inline pipe-mounted and non-invasive clamp-on configurations. 90% of ultrasonic flow meters are suitable for clean liquid media. A small number can be used for gas flow measurement and the measurement of liquids containing impurities.
Sino-Inst supplies transit-time and Doppler ultrasonic flow meters in various configurations. We have stock available for immediate delivery, ensuring shorter lead times!
Ultrasonic flow meters mainly consist of ultrasonic generators, ultrasonic receivers, electronic circuits, flow displays, and accumulation systems.
There are many types of ultrasonic flow meters. Depending on the classification method, they can be divided into different types of ultrasonic flow meters. Let’s take a brief look at them:
In closed pipes, the two most commonly used ultrasonic measurement technologies are the propagation time method and the Doppler method.
Among them, the time difference ultrasonic flowmeter uses the principle that the time difference between the propagation of sound waves in the fluid downstream and the propagation of sound waves in the fluid is proportional to the fluid velocity to measure the fluid flow rate. It is widely used in clean liquid flow measurement.
Ultrasonic flowmeters based on the Doppler effect principle measure the sending and receiving frequencies of ultrasonic signals when pointing to moving particles or bubbles in a pipe or duct. Doppler flowmeters can measure the flow rate of liquids with impurity particles or bubbles.
There are two types: gas and liquid.
There are relatively few ultrasonic flowmeters that can be used to measure gas.
Commonly used channels include single channel, dual channel, four channel, and eight channel. In recent years, three-channel, five-channel and six channel have also appeared. Multi-channel configuration plays a great role in improving measurement accuracy.
It can be divided into two types: movable installation type and fixed installation type.
The movable type includes portable and handheld types.
The fixed type includes wall-mounted and modular types.
Ultrasonic flowmeters are divided into three types: external clamp-on type, insert type, and pipe section type.
Benefits of Ultrasonic Flow Meters
Non-contact flowmeters can be used to measure flow rates in difficult-to-reach and difficult-to-observe fluids and large pipes.
Do not alter the fluid’s flow state, do not generate pressure loss, and are easy to install.
Can measure the flow of highly corrosive and non-conductive media.
Ultrasonic flowmeters have a wide measurement range, with pipe diameters ranging from 6 mm to 6 m.
Ultrasonic flowmeters can measure the flow of various liquids and wastewater.
The volumetric flow rate measured by ultrasonic flowmeters is unaffected by thermophysical parameters such as temperature, pressure, viscosity, and density of the measured fluid.
They offer flexible structural options and can be manufactured in both fixed and portable configurations.
Clamp-on Ultrasonic Flow Measurement
Clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters are the oldest, most familiar, and most widely used ultrasonic flow meters. They install the transducer without interrupting the flow in the pipe; it’s ready to use. This exemplifies the simple installation and ease of use of ultrasonic flow meters.
Pipe Segment Ultrasonic Flow Measurement
Some pipes, due to poor sound conductivity, severe corrosion, or gaps between the lining and the pipe interior, can severely attenuate the ultrasonic signal. This prevents proper measurement with clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters, leading to the development of pipe segment ultrasonic flow meters.
Pipe segment ultrasonic flow meters integrate the transducer and measuring tube into a single unit, addressing a measurement challenge with clamp-on flow meters. They also offer higher measurement accuracy than other ultrasonic flow meters. However, they sacrifice the advantage of continuous flow installation with clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters, requiring the pipe to be cut open for transducer installation.
Insertion Ultrasonic Flow Measurement
Insertion ultrasonic flow meters fall somewhere in between the two aforementioned methods. They can be installed without interrupting the flow. Installation is completed by drilling a hole in the pipe with specialized tools and inserting the transducer into the pipe.
Since the transducer is inside the pipeline, its signal transmission and reception only pass through the measured medium, but not through the pipe wall and lining, so its measurement is not limited by the pipe quality and pipe lining material.
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Like electromagnetic flowmeters, ultrasonic flowmeters have no obstructions in their flow path, making them non-obstructive. They are well-suited for solving difficult flow measurement challenges, especially when measuring large-diameter flows.
Sino-Inst offers a wide range of ultrasonic flowmeters, widely used in waterworks, chemical plants, and more. If you’re considering using ultrasonic technology for flow measurement, please feel free to contact our sales engineers!
