A leading innovator in flowmeter technology, Titan has developed bespoke calibration rigs to support the design and testing of its next-generation ultra-low flow and clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeters. The rigs were engineered in-house after the company identified that no commercially available system could meet the specific requirements of its latest research and development projects.
Titan’s current production flow calibration rigs comprise three certified piston provers operating with distilled water across flow ranges from 2 ml/min to 200 l/min and boasting an uncertainty of ±0.05%. However, due to practical availability – they are in constant use for production calibration – and the novel testing parameters required for research into ultra-low flow measurement, an alternative calibration tool was required.
A new ultra-low flow calibration rig was critical to the development of two major advancements in Titan’s ultrasonic flow measurement technology:
- An ultra-low flow ultrasonic flowmeter with measurement capability down to 0.2 ml/min or below – targeting flows ten times lower than Titan’s current Atrato® meter – offering a competitive alternative to thermal devices.
- A clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeter for use with disposable medical tubing, designed to measure small batches of medical-grade fluids for applications such as kidney dialysis equipment and bolus drug delivery monitoring, where accuracy, sterility, and affordability are critical.
To meet the ambitious new targets, Titan designed a state-of-the-art miniature piston prover system, powered by dual synchronised stepping motors with rotational encoders for precision tracking. This system features computer-controlled flow ranges, bolus simulation capabilities, and data output for in-depth performance analysis.
The design also carefully considered complex mechanical and hydraulic factors, including:
- system bleeding;
- valve synchronisation;
- linear motion stability;
- drive system stiffness;
- temperature effects;
- tubing compliance;
- calibration accuracy;
- and robust safety features like end-of-stroke detection.
“This custom-built rig represents a major step forward in Titan’s commitment to precision flow measurement and advancing our R&D capabilities,” says Neil Hannay, Senior R&D Engineer at Titan Enterprises. “By developing our own calibration infrastructure, we’re unlocking new performance frontiers to both industrial and medical flow applications.”
This complex project demonstrates Titan’s in-house expertise in exploring practical resolutions to overcome limitations in R&D and expand breakthrough technology.
By developing in-house capability for accurate and versatile meter calibration and testing, Titan can quickly advance the process from prototype to verified product. In-house proprietary software allows for rapid testing of multiple scenarios encountered by customers, helping ensure processes are optimised.
The calibration rig design principles will enable Titan to develop and build advanced tools tailored to customer-specific needs. Future developments include novel fluid test units and fully temperature-controlled systems, supporting the creation of cutting-edge products for both universal applications and OEM-specific solutions in the global market.
