From irrigation flow meter to magnetic flow meter, there are many types of flow meters available in the Midwest depending on user requirements. In this buyer’s guide, Mid-West Instrument summarizes several different flow meter types and offers tips for deciding which type of meter is best for your unique application.
What are the Types of Flow Meters?
Coriolis Meter
Coriolis meters are generally considered the most repeatedly accurate flow meters available today. Coriolis meters are ideal for any application where high accuracy is key for consistent product quality, safety, and revenue.
Differential Pressure (DP) Meter
Of all the different types of flow meters in the Midwest, DP meters are the oldest industrial measurement technology still in use today, with a proven documented history of performance. DP is the most widely used flow technology in industrial process measurement and control, natural gas custody transfer measurement, and numerous other applications.
Magnetic Flow Meter
Magnetic flow meters represent the second largest segment within the precision flow meter market and will likely overtake the top position currently held by traditional DP flow technologies. Due to their excellent measurement performance across a wide range of process conditions, magnetic flow meters are a top choice for measuring the volumetric flow of conductive liquids.
Multiphase Meter
Multiphase meters combine electrical impedance measurements and single high-energy gamma (for determining phase fractions) with venturi and cross-correlation for velocity measurements. Applications include allocation and fiscal metering, direct wellhead monitoring, and multi-well testing, as well as shale well-flow back monitoring.
Turbine Meter
Turbine meters measure volumetric flow – but unlike a vortex meter, turbine meters can also measure low flow rates and higher viscosity liquids with very high resolution and accuracy. As such, turbine meters are an easy way to accurately measure liquid flow rates in clean, ideally self-lubricating fluids. This makes them ideal for custody transfer applications in many applications within the petroleum and chemical industries.
Ultrasonic Meter
Ultrasonic meters are commonly used for custody transfer and fiscal oil & gas measurement. An ultrasonic flow meter uses ultrasonic sound pulses to measure the velocity of a fluid in a closed pipe. Process conditions such as composition, pressure, and temperature dictate which type of ultrasonic meter is most appropriate for a given project.
How Do I Choose a Flow Meter?
The most important considerations when choosing a flow meter are:
- Application type
- Media type
- Required accuracy
- Desired flow
- Medium to be measured
You might be able to answer all of these questions on your own, but if not our local instrument company in the Midwest is happy to help you choose the right flow meter for the job.
Call Today for a Free Quote from a Flow Meter Expert in the Midwest
Now that you have a better idea of the types of flow meters on the market and where they’re most often used, call our sensor manufacturer in the Midwest today for a free quote. We look forward to speaking with you about your upcoming projects and how the Mid-West Instrument team can help.