How To Select The Perfect Flowmeter
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Today, multiple methods, technologies, and tools exist to measure flow. Often, this makes the task of selection harder, pushing users towards decisions based on price alone. That doesn't work because so often, the cheapest flowmeters come with high costs of installation and accuracy issues unless they're perfectly suited to your specifications. We'd like to offer some thoughts on what you might consider in your decision to get a flowmeter. 1. Assess The Need 2. Understand Your Requirement Different fluids (and gasses) behave differently while flowing through their pipelines. Viscosity, or how the fluid resists flow, is the primary factor that affects flow. Thorough knowledge of the properties of the material you need to measure is vital. Is the liquid Newtonian or non-Newtonian? How do extreme temperatures and pressure affect it? These answers will help you make the first cut and narrow down the options open to you. Now calculate the liquid's Reynolds number(1) and check against your top contender flowmeters' Reynolds range. This will accurately help you choose one that is suited to the application at hand. There are a few common types of flowmeters.(2)
3. Installation matters Once you're close to a decision on a particular flowmeter, think about where it will be installed. Ideally, it needs to go where there are few (if any) obstructions like bends and valves since these can affect the accuracy of your readings. Get a clear understanding of the installation process that your manufacturer recommends. Make the complexity of installation one of the points on the basis of which you choose a flowmeter. (1) http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/reynolds-number-d_237.html
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