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What to consider when choosing a flowmeter
Here’s how Fagerberg improves the everyday for the process industry.
Which flowmeter is right for your process? This depends on what you need to measure, your process conditions and the requirements of the measurement.
Here, we guide you through the key factors to consider and provide an overview of different measurement principles and where they are best suited.
1. Start with the medium
Whether you are measuring liquids, gases or steam is a good starting point. Electromagnetic flowmeters are suitable for electrically conductive liquids, vortex flowmeters can be used for liquids, gases and steam, while Coriolis is an option when highly accurate mass flow measurement is required. Viscosity, conductivity and particles in the medium also influence the choice.
2. Different measurement principles have different strengths
Electromagnetic flowmeters have no moving parts and cause minimal pressure loss. Coriolis flowmeters measure mass flow directly and with high accuracy. Vortex is a robust measurement principle for applications involving steam and gas, while clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeters allow measurement without cutting into the pipe.
3. Consider your process data
Flow range, temperature, pressure and pipe diameter help determine which measurement principles and designs are suitable. At high temperatures or pressures, materials, process connections and pressure ratings also become important.
4. How accurate does your measurement need to be?
Requirements vary depending on whether the measurement is used for basic monitoring, process control, dosing or custody transfer. Coriolis is often a suitable option when high accuracy is required, but the level of accuracy should always be based on how the measurement will be used.
5. Consider installation and process conditions
Pipework, straight pipe runs and available space can affect both the choice of flowmeter and the measurement result. Corrosive media, hygienic requirements and hazardous areas may also place specific demands on materials, design and certifications.
6. Which measurement principle is right for your application?
A brief overview of our different measurement principles.
Electromagnetic flowmeters
Suitable for electrically conductive liquids, such as water and many process liquids. They have no moving parts and cause minimal pressure loss.
Coriolis mass flowmeters
Measure mass flow directly with high accuracy and are suitable for both liquids and gases. They can also measure properties such as density and are an option for high-viscosity media.
Ultrasonic flowmeters
Used to measure the flow of liquids and gases. Clamp-on models are installed on the outside of the pipe, allowing measurement without interrupting the process.
Variable area flowmeters
A simple, well-established measurement principle for liquids and gases. Particularly suitable when local indication and straightforward flow readings are sufficient.
Vortex flowmeters
Suitable for liquids, gases and steam, and commonly used for steam measurement. A robust measurement principle with good repeatability.
Thermal mass flowmeters
Primarily used for gas flow measurement, determining mass flow based on heat transfer. Suitable for compressed air and other industrial gases.
Differential pressure flow measurement
A well-established method for measuring the flow of liquids, gases and steam. Flow is determined by measuring the pressure difference across a primary element.
Flow switches
Used when the main requirement is to monitor whether flow is present or remains within a specified range, rather than continuously measuring the flow rate.
Mechanical flowmeters
Use mechanical movement to measure flow and are primarily used for liquids. An option for many basic measurement and monitoring applications.
The most suitable measurement principle depends on the medium, your process conditions and how the measurement will be used.