There are many working parts that go into a pipeline system. One essential part of how a pipeline system works is a flow meter.
As the name suggests, a flow meter measuring the flow rate of liquids or gases within a pipeline. They work by measuring the volumetric flow rate of water or another liquid moving through a pipeline. These meters must be installed properly to work efficiently and to allow the pipeline to operate optimally.
Why are Water Flow Meters Important
Measuring the flow rate within any pipeline, whether gas, water or some other fluid, is very important, to make sure that the system is working properly. Industrial applications of water flow meters are extremely accurate and must be in order to ensure the pipeline is working as efficiently as possible.
5 Tips for Flow Meter Installation
1. Use Adequate Pipe Sizes
When installing water flow meters, you must use adequate pipe sizes. Failure to do so can cause damage to the pipeline and can decrease efficiency of pipeline operations.
Choosing the proper pipe size is dependent on the type of flow meter being installed. Positive displacement meters measure the flow rate directly, as it passes through the meter. Ultrasonic flow meters measure the rate at which the liquid flows with sound. It does this by measuring the time it takes for the sound to travel between two transducers.
2. The Meter Tube Should be Filled with Water at All Times
Another important part of flow meter installation is to ensure that the meter tube is filled at all times, this ensures that you get the most accurate measurement.
In order for flow meters to work properly, the fluid must be able to flow through the pipeline without any disruption. If anything disrupts the flow of water, it will decrease the accuracy of the meter.
The meter tube is where the orifice plates are installed. The orifice plates are used to actually measure the orifice flow rate. Orifice flow rate take the mass flow rate of the liquid or gas within a period of time. The tubes operate with the pipeline system to measure the rate of flow. These tubes must be installed properly to get the most accurate measurement possible.
3. Proper straight-pipe length
Another important part of the installation process is to ensure that the placement and length of the piping is correct. The pipe length needs to meet the required length to ensure that the flow sensors can measure the rate of flow in the pipeline accurately.
Not only should the straight-pipe length for both upstream and downstream pipes be correct, but the diameter of the straight-pipes is also extremely important. Errors in installation may impact the accuracy of the meter and lower the efficiency of operations in the piping system.
Many errors that occur in the flow meter installation process stem from the length and diameter of the pipeline.
4. Magnetic Flow Meter Installation
When you use electromagnetic flow meters, or magmeters, the length of the pipe is extremely important. Because this type of flow meter uses magnetic fields, transmitters, and sensors to measure the flow rate, having the right pipe length is important. Current recommendations for pipe length diameter are five diameters for upstream and three diameters for downstream pipeline systems.
5. Flow Meter Should be Properly Fitted
As stated previously, any disruptions to the flow of water will cause the meter reading to be inaccurate. Because of this, flow meters must be fitted properly to prevent air from entering the pipe.
Sudden changes in pressure is not only dangerous but will also negatively impact the operation of the pipeline. Properly fitting the water flow meter will decrease the chance of a dramatic or sudden shift in pressure in the system.
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