Category: Flow Control

Even After a Century, Rotameters Still Measure Up

Posted on by Vitalii Prokopiv

Even After a Century, Rotameters Still Measure Up | Flowmetrics

Numerous modern industries touching every aspect of day-to-day life utilize sophisticated liquid flow systems at some point during the manufacturing process. Rotameters, or variable area flow meters, are important tools used to measure the volume of flow for liquids. Though simple in design compared to other advanced metric equipment, rotameters are economical and accurate in measuring flow rates ranging from low to very high volume, and they are staples for quantifying production methods in many industries. 

 

Simple Design That Delivers Precise Results

 

The first rotameter was invented in 1908, and though the original design has been improved, the basic operation is still the same after more than a century. A rotameter consists of a tapered tube, usually made of clear glass, with a float, which is actually a shaped weight, inside. When fluid flows through the tube, the weight is pushed up by the force of the liquid’s movement, thereby allowing quick and easy assessment of the overall flow volume.

 

There are distinct advantages to using these effective meters. Rotameters require no electricity or external fuel, and they can be produced in large quantities using relatively inexpensive materials. Their low manufacturing cost makes them available for widespread use, and the materials used to make them are resistant to shocks and chemical reactions.

 

They can be installed quickly and easily, and their accuracy is dependable. Furthermore, their measuring scale is approximately linear, making readings simple to understand and quantify.

 

Industries That Depend on Rotameters

 

Some vital industries that use rotameters include:

 

  • Energy
  • Aerospace and aviation
  • Food
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Chemical and petrochemical
  • Laboratory
  • General

 

Design Variations Improve Basic Operations

 

Modern design variations greatly expand the range of useful applications for rotameters. Their versatility, accuracy, dependability and cost-effectiveness make rotameters invaluable tools for measuring liquid flow rates in most facilities.

 

Some of the sophisticated modefications include:

 

  • Durable seals and shields
  • Heavy-gauge steel frames
  • Customizable measuring scales
  • Volume alarms

 

Why Rotameters Enjoy Enduring Popularity

 

The bottom line is that rotameters are simple yet accurate and dependable tools for measuring the liquid flow rate during many manufacturing and research processes. Today’s dynamic industries require efficient yet cost-effective ways to produce high-quality products according to strict schedules. Rotameters make it possible for them to do just that.

 

They are affordable and simple for any company to install, and they can withstand thermal shocks, temperature changes and chemical reactions alike and still deliver accurate readings. They are dependable and deliver repeatable results without drawing on any external power source.

 

Rotameters may seem simplistic in today’s fast-paced, increasingly complex technological world, but it is their elegant simplicity that makes these meters indispensable. From basic models that provide accurate measurements of flow volume to innovative designs that include alarms and custom scales, rotameters work well for most industries, as they have for more than 100 years.

 

While the design has been somewhat modified to meet modern production needs, rotameters still operate on the same basic principles that allow them to provide fast, accurate measurements. They help manufacturers ensure that daily processes are safe and efficient today and in the years to come.

 

If you are reading this on any other blog than Flowmetrics it is stolen content. Follow us on Twitter@Flow_metrics. Come and visit our blog at https://flowmetrics.com/blog/.

The Art of Calibrating

Posted on by Vitalii Prokopiv

The Art of Calibrating | Flowmetrics

Basic calibrations of sensors combine a known environment tied to an output of that sensor. If a pressure sensor outputs a value of 2 psi when in a vacuum and 102 psi when placed inside a space with known pressure of 100 psi, the operator can calibrate the sensor to output 2 psi less than it currently does. Usually a sensors output is a linear affair between the stimuli and the reading it provides, and in these cases calibration is simple. By calibrating in this way the operator is introducing errors if they are off in any way.

If the testing situations are not accurately known any readings after calibration will have the same discrepancies. The use of a “golden unit” or a standardized unit of measurement to calibrate all sensors against can vastly reduce this type of error.

The calibration procedure should produce consistent results. If the operator can use the same procedure and calibrate the same sensor multiple times to the same end value then a sensor is much more likely to be accurate. If the sensor has varying levels of offset at the end each time, something must be fluctuating between calibrations.

 

Click here for the full article by Jim McCarty.

Ensure Accurate Measurements With Secure and Dependable Totalizers

Posted on by Vitalii Prokopiv

Ensure Accurate Measurements With Secure and Dependable Totalizers | Flowmetrics

Many industries that touch every aspect of daily life use advanced fluid flow systems. The materials in these flow systems must be measured and tracked, and the simplest way to do this is with totalizers. Basically, totalizers are efficient and advanced counters, and they can be used in several ways to provide accurate statistics and information. Most commonly in fluid flow systems, they can measure the amount of liquid moving through a particular system and keep track of and count operational cycles. Totalizers are an integral part of today’s complex fluid flow systems.

 

Industries That Need Totalizers

 

A number of modern industries that support the nation’s infrastructure need totalizers to keep track of flowing liquids. The agriculture industry uses totalizers to measure the least amount of water needed to support crops. Totalizers can be used in residential settings to track water usage by a particular house. Industrial applications need them to measure expensive fluid products to keep waste at a minimum and, in some cases, to ensure mixtures are combined in the proper proportions so that the final products are safe and efficacious.

 

Key industries that use totalizers include:

 

  • Energy
  • Chemical and petrochemical
  • Laboratory
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Food
  • Aerospace and aviation
  • General

 

The Importance of Advanced Design

 

In today’s complex industries, advanced technology and careful planning in all aspects of operation are imperative, including in the way that liquid products are measured. The best totalizers provide high accuracy and efficiency, fast reset times, multiple modes, easy-to-read displays and security features such as lockout modes.

 

When the first totalizer was invented in 1913 by George Alfred Julius, this mechanical aid to calculation was a marvel of engineering that revolutionized industrial metrics. Through the decades, totalizers have evolved. From the first version of a mechanical counter, modern versions of this important regulating tool are intricate and complicated. Advanced features include:

 

  • Multiple display options
  • Separate scaling for multiple inputs
  • Security options such as passwords and lockouts
  • Fast readouts

 

The Bottom Line

 

Totalizers are needed in so many of today’s dynamic industries because they provide fast, accurate information, measurements and feedback on flow movement and composition. At a glance, to-the-minute analyses and conditions can be recorded and studied to ensure maximum efficiency. Some companies even use totalizers to prevent the release of potent greenhouse gases such as sulfur hexafluoride into the atmosphere.

 

In addition to measuring gaseous outputs to help keep the environment safe, these advanced counters ensure that life-saving medicines are mixed and measured correctly and quickly, that the precious resource of water is not wasted and that materials in so many products people use daily continue to flow so that production can continue.

 

There are many important applications for these advanced monitors and measurement tools. From more basic operations to powerful tracking, signal transmissions and alarms, totalizers have become integral parts of modern industrial operation and production. Their fast and accurate monitoring help ensure that daily processes are safe and that overall output is maximized, both today and in the years to come.

 

If you are reading this on any other blog than Flowmetrics it is stolen content. Follow us on Twitter@Flow_metrics. Come and visit our blog at https://flowmetrics.com/blog/.

Tell Your PLCs from Your IPCs

Posted on by Vitalii Prokopiv

Tell Your PLCs from Your IPCs | Flowmetrics

Before the personal computer, operation controllers had PLCs, programmable logic controllers, to manage what machinery was doing. Now we have PACs and IPCs to add to the mix, and the confusion over which does what and where each is best grows.

A PLC is the origin of control specific machinery, built to last through extreme environments and relaying on/off instructions to machinery based on input from sensors. The most applicable situation is amusement park rides. An operator pushes the command to execute the ride, and the PLC takes over from there. Some can be as simple as automating the order of events of one precise schedule, and some can manage variables to adapt the schedule as needed. 

PACs are programmable automation controllers, and these do much the same as PLCs but without the option of inputs. A PLC can function as a PAC, but usually the reverse is not true.

An IPC is an industrial personal computer, and these carry out much more computationally heavy tasks. One common situation that IPCs excel at is mixes of materials that vastly change properties at different ratios. 

 

Click here for the full article by Dan Herbert.

Aerodynamic Flow Control for Vehicles

Posted on by Vitalii Prokopiv

Aerodynamic Flow Control for Vehicles | Flowmetrics

Pressure Systems International, PSI, has been developing a dynamic actuator system to improve the aerodynamics of semi-trucks for fuel conservation. A new investment with Plasma Stream Technologies will lead to widespread distribution of the fuel saving system.

The new innovation uses plasma actuator technology to reduce aerodynamic drag on semi-trucks and trailers, resulting in fuel savings. The active flow control system that manipulates airflow around the vehicle, offers aerodynamic benefits without the added weight and maintenance issues associated with bolt-on aero devices.

The new design will be more adaptable and compatible with more door mechanisms than current boat-tail designs making this technology a better fit for transportation and freight shipments.

 

Click here for the full article by Fleet Equipment.

Aviation Technology Innovations Predictions

Posted on by Vitalii Prokopiv

Aviation Technology Innovations Predictions | Flowmetrics

Technology is always improving and here are some of the most likely improvements coming to the aviation industry soon;

  • Drones as commonplace workhorses
  • Ultra-high bypass from turbofans for fuel savings
  • Natural laminar flow and flow control also for fuel efficiency
  • Space exploration and travel for a lucky few passengers
  • Augmented reality will replace modern HUDs

 

Click here for the full article by Graham Warwick.

Ratemeters Help Modern Business Go With the Flow

Posted on by Vitalii Prokopiv

Ratemeters Help Modern Business Go With the Flow | Flowmetrics

Modern industries are extremely advanced with demanding manufacturing schedules. Liquid product flow must be tracked and measured thoroughly and accurately throughout every process. To accomplish this vital task, manufacturers depend upon ratemeters. These instruments work in tandem with totalizers to monitor, measure and analyze liquid flow rates in many industrial production applications. Ratemeters are a pivotal part of many essential production processes.

 

Industries That Need Ratemeters

 

Ratemeters and totalizers are modern measurement tools that are critical to numerous production routines and schedules. Sometimes one instrument can perform the tasks of both devices. The agricultural industry measures the minimum amount of water necessary for sustained crop life while general industrial production requires accurate measurement and tracking of expensive liquid products and components.

 

Some critical industries that utilize ratemeters include:

 

  • Pharmaceutical
  • Food production
  • Aviation and aerospace
  • Energy
  • Petrochemical and chemical
  • Theoretical laboratory research
  • General production

 

The Necessity of Superior Design

 

The complexity of modern manufacturing demands exceptional equipment to initiate and monitor every step of the process. Accurately measuring liquid product flow is essential for making a high-quality end product, and ratemeters with sophisticated features are fundamental components of today’s manufacturing processes.

 

Ratemeters work in tandem with totalizers to monitor and measure liquid flow. The first electronic counter was created in 1913 by Australian engineer George Julius, and in just over a century, ratemeters have evolved into highly sophisticated measurement tools with intricate functions that include:

 

  • Fast readouts
  • Easy-to-read displays
  • Multiple input capabilities
  • Security features such as passwords and locking

 

Tracking liquid product flow movement and composition is so vital to so many industries that ratemeters have become standard equipment in manufacturing facilities. Because they are extremely important, there are numerous models ranging from those with basic operations to sensitive and precise versions that can detect tiny leaks or miniscule anomalies in flow patterns. With this many choices, there is a ratemeter that will work for any and every budget and project scope.

 

The End Products of Exceptional Planning

 

Excellent ratemeter design has evolved over the decades in order to meet today’s needs. Ratemeters are necessary components of almost all modern manufacturing processes, but they are also crucial in many other important applications, including research projects, radiation monitoring and measurement and healthcare. Just as their design has evolved, the practical functions of ratemeters have increased exponentially—they help manufacturers ensure that important medicines are safely made and delivered on schedule; they keep nuclear power plants safe and help companies conserve water.

 

Programmable ratemeters provide quick, easy-to-read measurements that are real-time accurate. Such precise monitoring is crucial in today’s cutting-edge production processes. The best ratemeters easily deliver basic functions but then add to their value by offering additional innovative options such as transmissions, alerts and alarms and tracking.

 

Modern industrial processes depend on accurate, timely monitoring to keep production safe and efficient. Sophisticated equipment such as a ratemeter with multiple, programmable functions is a vanguard of secure, optimized manufacturing, both today and in the future.

 

If you are reading this on any other blog than Flowmetrics it is stolen content. Follow us on Twitter@Flow_metrics. Come and visit our blog at https://flowmetrics.com/blog/.

How to Calibrate a Flow Meter

Posted on by Vitalii Prokopiv

How to Calibrate a Flow Meter | Flowmetrics

Flow meters are used in many industries to measure and control the movement of gases or liquids. Accuracy is crucial in order to ensure that the manufacturing process is going smoothly. Precise measurements are key to many kinds of manufacturing, processing and transfer processes. For this reason, manufacturers look for the highest quality flow meters available on the market.

Why Regular Calibration Is a Must

However, even the most durable and sensitive meter can become imprecise and lose accuracy after prolonged use. Some common causes are regular wear and tear, exposure to moisture or corrosion due to chemicals. Flow meter function can also become disrupted due to accumulation of dirt, impact or faults in the installation process. Regular inspection and calibration of your flow meter is necessary in order to ensure consistently precise readings. To ensure that your calibration of your flow meter achieves the results you want, it is smart to follow the following best practices.

Use Accurate Testing Equipment

First of all, make sure that your testing equipment is up to standard. This means that before you can start using your standard to test your flow meter’s measurements, you must take care to test your standard against another recognized standard and document the results. This will help you maintain a high degree of accuracy when checking the precision of your flow meter’s measurements.

Test Your Testing Equipment

In addition to comparing your standard’s accuracy to that of an already known standard, make sure that its measurements are sufficiently accurate. When you are using a standard to calibrate your flow meter, your standard typically needs to be four times as accurate as the meter you are testing. In some cases, the accuracy requirement can be different based on the specific type of calibration.

Ensure Typical Environment

Now that you have checked your testing equipment, you need to make sure that the testing environment is conducive to precise results. If you want to know how your flow meter is operating on a daily basis, you should test it under conditions that are as similar as possible to its typical environment. The type of substance whose movement is measured by the meter can affect operation, so be sure to test using the same substance. Factors such as heat, density and rate of movement can also affect operation; thus, for optimal testing accuracy, these should also be similar to the regular operating environment.

Consistent Flow

When testing, it is important to keep the flow rate steady. In a typical testing scenario, you will be making a real-time comparison between the flow rate of your meter and your testing standard. Thus, variations in system flow can lead to imprecise results and suboptimal calibration.

Eliminate Variations in Heat and Volume

For best calibrating results, your testing unit will need to measure everything your flow meter regularly measures, simultaneously. This means that it is important that there not be any variations in temperature or volume during the testing process. Before beginning the calibration, check the system for leaks or other irregularities that could compromise test results.

If you find that you are unable to calibrate your flow meter successfully, it may be time for a repair or an upgrade. Flow meters can lose function when they are being used in applications where a particular type or model is not optimal. Improper installation can also lead to damage that may not be easily fixed by recalibrating.  Consult your manufacturer as to the best type of flow meter for your purposes.

 

If you are reading this on any other blog than Flowmetrics it is stolen content. Follow us on Twitter@Flow_metrics. Come and visit our blog at https://flowmetrics.com/blog/.

Signs of a Poorly Constructed Valve System

Posted on by Vitalii Prokopiv

Signs of a Poorly Constructed Valve System | Flowmetrics

  • Bolts that are too long: If engineers are wasting money on excessively large bolts, they must be cutting corners somewhere.
  • Non-isolated control valves: Maintenance is always required, if there is no way to easily remove a valve then maintenance is not being done on the valve.
  • Lack of pressure gauges and connections: At some point it will be necessary to monitor the pressure at the valve. Build with future needs in mind.
  • No air vent caps: Valves that reduce pressure will buildup air pockets during operation, if this air is not vented you can bet a costly repair will be needed soon.

 

Click here for the full list of signs by Mark Gimson.

Hydraulic Valves Preventative Maintenance

Posted on by Vitalii Prokopiv

Hydraulic Valves Preventative Maintenance | Flowmetrics

Hydraulic systems are dependent on every part within the system, any small leak or failure from one piece will bring the system to a grinding halt. The fluids used in particular systems can even harm personnel nearby or the environment in the occurrence of failure. Valves are critical to hydraulic systems as they control the flow of hydraulic fluid through the system to perform work. A preventative maintenance program should focus on valves more thoroughly than any other component.

Reactive maintenance expects to run components to failure, often valves fail first, and then enact repairs while productivity is zero and then make up for lost production time later. This process is costly and usually fraught with high tensions. A preventative maintenance schedule uses time or specific conditions to “schedule” repairs and replacements. This scheduling process can be in terms of time; i.e. replacing seals and gaskets every 2 years, or it may be based on operations; i.e. after every 5,000 cycles, or both depending on which “schedule” comes first. 

Industry data shows that performing maintenance on a scheduled basis is three to five times less expensive than the same repair being made on a reactive basis.

 

Click here for the full article by Mickey Heestand.