Clamp On to Clean Out? Non-invasive Flow Measurement for Stainless Restoration

The project, for Rolls Royce, will involve demounting pipework from large-scale heat exchangers and removing particulate deposits from the internal surface.

Iron oxide, dust, atmospheric contamination and loose fibres are removed using fine filters, down to 3 micron, dislodged from the pipework’s internal surfaces by circulating clean, demineralised water at a high flow rate to create a turbulent flow to scour the pipe’s interior.

A Katronic KATflow 200 clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeter confirms that flow is maintained at more than the 3.5 kg per second needed for a sufficiently turbulent flow to create the cleaning action.

Compact Katronic K4N sensors are securely fixed to the outside of the pipework using simple sprung chain mounts, and the flowmeter uses a non-invasive ultrasonic technique to measure the flow rate through the pipe wall. The flow rate is displayed on the KATflow 200’s integral screen and logged for later data analysis.

Stainless restoration purchased the KATflow 200 after successful experience hiring them from Katronic in the past. Stainless Restoration’s Managing Director Frank Morris commented, ‘We have found the K200 to be perfect for various chemical circulation projects we have undertaken.

We like the easy set-up and reliability of the flowmeter, and we have had great support over the phone from the team in Coventry.’ The KATflow 200 forms part of a range that also includes other portable and fixed ultrasonic systems including explosion-proof.

They are used for applications from 10 mm pipe diameter to more than 6 metres, of virtually any pipe material and virtually any medium. Non-invasive, clamp-on meters provide convenience and accuracy without any need to break into or otherwise disturb the process.