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What to consider when choosing an energy meter
Here’s how Fagerberg improves the everyday for the process industry.
How much heating or cooling energy does your process use? Measuring energy requires you to consider flow, temperature and the properties of the medium.
Here, we guide you through the key factors when choosing an energy meter and provide an overview of different solutions for energy measurement.
1. Start with what you need to measure
Heating, cooling and steam applications have different measurement requirements. In water-based systems, energy is calculated using the flow rate and the temperature difference between the supply and return lines. For steam measurement, the pressure, temperature and thermodynamic properties of the steam must also be considered.
2. Which measurements are needed?
An energy measurement system typically consists of a flowmeter, temperature sensors and a heat calculator that calculates the energy. For steam measurement, a flow computer is often used together with pressure and temperature measurements to compensate for changing process conditions.
3. Consider your process conditions
Flow range, temperature, pressure and medium all influence the choice of instrument. Whether the system uses water, a glycol mixture or steam also affects the calculation. The measuring equipment must therefore be suitable for both the medium and the operating conditions of the installation.
4. How accurate does your measurement need to be?
Requirements vary depending on whether the measurement is used for energy monitoring, process optimisation or billing. Accuracy depends on the entire measurement chain, from the flowmeter and temperature sensors to the calculation and installation. Additional approval requirements may apply to measurements used for billing.
5. Consider installation and communication
The positioning of flowmeters and temperature sensors is important for reliable measurement. Connections, power supply and communication with control and monitoring systems also need to be considered. Heat calculators can offer different interfaces for reading measurement data and monitoring energy consumption.
6. Which solution is right for your application?
A brief overview of our instruments for energy measurement.
Heat and cooling energy calculators
Calculate heating or cooling energy consumption based on measured flow and temperature difference. Used in heating and cooling systems where energy consumption needs to be monitored or allocated.
Flow computers for steam and energy measurement
Calculate mass flow and thermal energy based on signals from connected measuring instruments. Pressure and temperature compensation allow calculations to account for the current properties of steam and other media.
The most suitable solution depends on the medium, your process conditions and how the energy measurement will be used