Turbine type flowmeters are one of the most used in the process industry as they are suitable for a large number of applications, easy to maintain, durable and versatile.
Find information indicating that the turbine type flowmeters are one of the most used in the process industry is not surprising.
Why? Because they are they are suitable for a large number of applications, easy to maintain, durable and versatile.
They can be flowmeters or volumetric counters depending on the electronic systems used; pulse amplifier, 4-20 mA transmitter, frequency divider, remote display with relays for dosing, etc.
Suitable for measuring flow of clean liquids with low viscosity, they also allow measurement of aggressive fluids and nonconductive.
Working principle of turbine type flowmeters
One helicoidal rotor turns freely inside a cylindrical tube. The working liquid pushes the rotor blades, making them turn at a flow speed which is proportional to the flow rate.
A pick-up coil mounted externally receives the propeller turns and generates an electrical signal which, once treated by the different electronic converters, provides the value of instantaneous flow rate, total or partial volume, digital and analog outputs or dosing.
What are the advantages of using this type of flowmeters?
Installation in horizontal or vertical pipe, and in all flow directions
Possibility of special design for high pressure
Low pressure drop
High accuracy and repeatibility
Reduced cost
And disadvantages? we must also consider them:
Straight pipe run (10 times the nominal diameter before and 5 times after the turbine) are required for its installation
It is mandatory to install a filter before the flowmeter in order to avoid that small particles from the liquid can damage the turbine propeller
An air/steam separator must be installed before the turbine flowmeter in those processes where air or gases, liquid evaporation, etc. might be present in order to avoid measurement errors<
It is essential that on the outlet of the flowmeter the pressure must be at least twice the pressure drop of the flowmeter, plus 1.25 times the vapour pressure of the liquid to avoid cavitations inside the turbine flowmeter
If you install the turbine flowmeter with electronic converters, the wiring between the turbine and these converters must be made so that no mains or power supply cables are placed around the devices, in order to avoid picking up interferences that might affect the reading.
Potential hadardous zones
We may have, within the production process of our product, some Ex classified zones.
Turbine flowmeters can also be used for hazardous areas by means of:
- A proper pickup
- Explosion proof enclosure
In any case both must be certified ATEX, unless the pickup is considered as “simple apparatus”, then we should use an appropiate zener barrier.
If you need more technical data you can have a look at the product data sheet.
In Tecfluid are convinced that the turbine type flowmeters can be installed in virtually all areas of the process industry. What do you think?
Tell us about your experience.