What are the Types of Flow Meters?
Coriolis Meter
Coriolis meters are generally considered the most repeatedly accurate flow meters available today. Coriolis meters are ideal for any application where high accuracy is key for consistent product quality, safety, and revenue.
Differential Pressure (DP) Meter
Of all the different types of flow meters, DP meters are the oldest industrial measurement technology still in use today, with a proven documented history of performance. DP is the most widely used flow technology in industrial process measurement and control, natural gas custody transfer measurement, and numerous other applications.
Magnetic Flow Meter
Magnetic flowmeters represent the second largest segment within the precision flowmeter market and will likely overtake the top position currently held by traditional DP flow technologies. Due to their excellent measurement performance across a wide range of process conditions, magnetic flow meters are a top choice for measuring the volumetric flow of conductive liquids.
Multiphase Meter
Multiphase meters combine electrical impedance measurements and single high-energy gamma (for determining phase fractions) with venturi and cross-correlation for velocity measurements. Applications include allocation and fiscal metering, direct wellhead monitoring, and multi-well testing, as well as shale well-flow back monitoring.
Turbine Meter
Turbine meters measure volumetric flow – but unlike a vortex meter, turbine meters can also measure low flow rates and higher viscosity liquids with very high resolution and accuracy. As such, turbine meters are an easy way to accurately measure liquid flow rates in clean, ideally self-lubricating fluids. This makes them ideal for custody transfer applications in many applications within the petroleum and chemical industries.
Ultrasonic Meter
Ultrasonic meters are commonly used for custody transfer and fiscal oil & gas measurement. An ultrasonic flow meter uses ultrasonic sound pulses to measure the velocity of a fluid in a closed pipe. Process conditions such as composition, pressure, and temperature dictate which type of ultrasonic meter is most appropriate for a given project.
How Do I Choose a Flow Meter?
The most important considerations when choosing a flow meter are:
- Application type
- Media type
- Required accuracy
- Desired flow
- Medium to be measured
You might be able to answer all of these questions on your own, but if not Mid-West Instrument is happy to help you choose the right flow meter for the job.
