Today, more than ever, the range of products and options available for any type of industrial flow rate measurement is often overwhelming. While this selection may be difficult to work through on your own, talking to a company that specializes in flow meters can be very helpful in narrowing down choices.
For the measurement of conductive fluids, a Rosemount magnetic flow meter is often the recommendation most often provided. These use a magnetic field, actually an electromagnetic field, to measure the flow rate through the system and to detect any changes.
How it Works
The Rosemount magnetic flow meter uses a system approach. This allows the pairing of a sensor with a transmitter. The sensor is located in-line, with coils mounted to the outside of the pipe. The transmitter is used to drive the coils, creating the electromagnetic field through the pipe.
As the liquid flows through the pipe and the field, the voltage is determined or sensed by the sensor. The faster the fluid in the pipe is traveling, the more change is detected by the electrodes of the sensor which are mounted on the walls of the pipe. Higher flow rates result in higher voltages which are sent from the sensor to the transmitter to be converted into usable data.
Options to Consider
With the Rosemount magnetic flow meter system, there is the option to have the transmitter installed at the location of the sensor or remotely. Both have their benefits, but remote installation in any application can be helpful in extending the life of the transmitter. These devices can be sensitive to extreme heat, cold or vibration, so keeping them in the control room is often the most effective option.
An important advantage in selecting a flow meter system is the simplicity and design of the component. It doesn’t result in any restriction or slowdown of material through the pipe, and it can be used with both low and high volume systems and with gravity-fed applications.
