But where it is normal to measure electrical power consumption, it is often found that compressed air as an energy source is not measured and monitored.
A constant and reliable air flow at any point in the network is necessary to keep the process under control. Measuring the compressed air flow gives the control back to the operators, knowing how much air is consumed during which period of productions and how much air is actually needed.
SUTO iTEC flowmeters provide accurate and reliable flow and consumption measurement and come with various signal interface options (4-20 mA analog, pulse, Modbus/RTU, Modbus/TCP, M-Bus, HART).
Flowmeters are available as insertion type models, which can be installed under pressure through a ball valve or are available as inline types, where the flow meter is provided with a measuring section.
By installing compressed air flow meters operators are able to answer questions like:
- How much air is needed by which machine?
- Does my compressor deliver the air required?
- Are the compressors operating efficiently?
- Are there losses in the compressed air system during periods where the production is stopped?
- How much money is spend on compressed air?
- Overall flow and consumption measurements is offering operators to get an overview of their compressed air performance and getting it under control.
What measurement technology is used in SUTO flow and consumption meters?
SUTO flow meters for compressed air and gas are based on two technologies:
- for dry air and gases thermal mass flow sensors are typically used
- for wet air and gas applications a pitot tube sensor is the best choice
With SUTO thermal mass flow sensors, users are enabled to measure the mass flow, volumetric flow and consumption of any gas. Thermal mass flow sensors provide the advantage of wide measuring ranges and high accuracy. Besides that thermal mass flow sensors are long term stable, easy to maintain and can be installed in existing pipe systems, making them the universal product for a wide variety of applications.
When it comes to measure the compressed air directly at the outlet of the compressor, where the air is unfiltered, hot and wet, thermal mass flow sensor can not be used. For this application SUTO is offering wet air flow meters based on the pitot-tube principle. An insertion type sensor is using the differential pressure which is created at the sensor tip (pitot-tube), paired with a temperature and pressure measurement, to measure the volumetric flow of the wet air. With this sensor its possible measure the FAD (Free air delivery) as well as the total flow of the compressed air. The pito-tube flowmeter is the right tool for energy audits and often used for compressor performance tests as well.
How to choose the right flow meter to satisfy the requirements and needs in customers applications?
Typically it is needed to know the on site conditions such as:
- Is the air or gas dry or wet?
- What is the pipe diameter in which the flow and consumption should be measured?
- What flow rates are expected?
- Should the flow meter be inserted under pressure?
- Is there enough straight inlet section available?
- What output signals / interfaces are needed?
This sound like a lot to be known, but our expert SUTO team is here to assist you at any time and up to now we never had a case, where we did not find a suitable flow meter which matches perfectly to the customer needs and application.
Which gases can be measured flow meter products?
SUTO flow meters are not only suited to measure compressed air consumption, but are also able to measure almost any gas which is typically used in industries.
Thanks to the thermal mass technology, as well as the pitot-tube technology, its not needed to compensate the temperature or pressure, no matter in which gas the flowmeters are used. For the standard industrial gases SUTO is able to provide real gas calibrations when needed. Typical gases besides compressed air are: Nitrogen (N2), Oxygen (O2), Carbon dioxide (CO2), Argon (Ar), Natural Gas, Helium (He), Hydrogen (H2), Methane (CH4) and many more.
The SUTO flow meters are suited to measure almost any pure gas, but also gas mixtures, please contact our support if you need custom solutions to measure the process gas as you need it.
