What is the Importance of Liquid Flow Measurement?

Liquid flow measurement plays an important role since it allows operators to control certain processes in that industry. Flow measurement also helps determine the quantity and quality of measured media due to the accuracy of flow measuring devices. These instruments are called flow meters, sensors, or regulators. They are used to measure various materials that are either made of gas, liquid, or vapor. Accuracy is paramount when in any liquid measuring process. It is mostly used to determine whether the media has the right quality or is safe for human consumption. This is especially so if you eat dealing with food and medicine. This article shall focus on the benefits of flow measurement in various industrial applications and domestic flow systems. But before that, let’s explain the different types of flows. 

Types of Liquid Flow Measurement 

Inflow measurement and understanding the different types of flows will help you select the right kind of flow meter that will better serve its purpose. Let’s go through some of the available flows. 

Laminar Flow 

This type of flow involves flows that go parallel with the walls of the pipe. The fluid measured may have different layers, and the layers may have different concentrations. 

Transient Flow 

Flow in this flow type does not involve fluids with different layers, and the fluid or media needs must only have one concentration.

Turbulent flow

This flow type involves different layers that cannot be seen when measuring flow rate. The operator will experience the radial flow, and turbulent flows make the most flow types in industrial plants. 

How to Categorize Flow Meters 

Like we mentioned earlier, liquid flow measurement is done properly using devices balled. These flow meters come in various shapes, sizes, and working principles. Therefore, you need to select the right kind of flow meter based on the process condition and nature of the media. Since there are many flow meters, they are grouped into four categories based on their working principles. These four categories include:

• Inferential type flow meters
• Volumetric flowmeters
• Mass flowmeters
• Velocity flowmeters

Inferential Flow Meter 

When using these types of flow meters, the flow rate is not directly obtained. Other kinds of fluid properties such as pressure and temperature apply when reading flow rate. For example, the operator may consider things like a drop in static pressure in a pipe. The flow rate may also be obtained by checking the rotation of the impeller. Once these details are established, they are converted into velocity to measure flow rate.

Volumetric Flow Meter

Flow measurement in these flow meters is established by measuring the flow volume that passes through the pipe. Using volumetric flow meters allows operators to check volume per unit time in Liters, gallons, or cubic feet. 

Mass Flow Meter 

This type of liquid flow meter works very well, a process that deals with the mass of the liquid or gas and not the volume. The force that the moving fluid is what is used to determine the flow rate. Instead of measuring flow rate in volume per time, these flow meters measure flow rate in terms of mass per time. The other name for this type of flow meter is inertial flow meters. You need to be very careful when choosing flow meters as they will determine the accuracy and repeatability of the flow rate. 

Velocity Flow Meter

Getting flow rate using velocity flow meters requires you to calculate the steam velocity. Examples of velocity flow meters include vortex shedding, paddlewheel, ultrasonic, or turbine flow meters. Getting flow rate in this kind of flow meter requires you to calculate the flow speed in one or several points. They are directly connected to the pipeline to measure flow rate linearly. 

Conclusion 

Accuracy and repeatability determine whether the flow meter that you are using is the right one or not. Don’t rush to buy a flow meter if you know how and which application is ideal for its liquid flow measurement. To maximize its potential, always ask for help from your supplier.