A flow meter is a device used to measure the flow rate of gases or liquids. You may encounter various terms when referring to flow meters, such as flow sensor, mass flow meter, mass flow controller, flow regulator, etc. The primary purpose of this instrument is to measure the flow of gas or liquid between two points in a process. Sometimes, controlling or regulating the flow is necessary. By combining a flow meter with a valve, you create a flow controller. In this case, the instrument not only measures the flow but also controls it to adjust the flow rate. The output helps you better understand your process, allowing you to make informed decisions regarding product quality, process speed, and cost reduction. There are two fundamental types of fluid measurement – mass and volumetric flow measurement. Volumetric flow measurement is temperature and pressure-dependent, particularly for gases, and is expressed in units of volume such as ml/min or m³/h. When measuring mass flow, the units are in mass such as kg/h or g/min. Alternatively, since gas is compressible, it is more convenient to express mass flow as standardized volumes, such as mlₘ/min or m³n/h. Thus, you can choose between a mass flow meter or a volumetric flow meter depending on your application needs.
Some flow meters are designed specifically for gases, while others are tailored for liquids. There are also instruments available that are independent of fluid properties and can handle both gases and liquids. Flow meters are used in a wide range of applications; here are some examples: In this section, we will discuss some essential elements that go into the decision-making process when selecting a flow measuring instrument. We will consider the differences between various measurement principles. Below are some key points to keep in mind when selecting an instrument. The flow rate is typically the most important specification to consider when selecting an instrument. Fluid quantity can be displayed in volume, standardized volume, and true mass units. The flow rate is the quantity of fluid per unit time flowing through a measuring device. Chemical and physical properties of the medium can influence the material of the instrument and thus whether it works as expected. Commonly, the following wetted parts (parts that are exposed to or in direct contact with the medium) may be offered: When selecting a flow instrument, it's important to know if you need a low pressure drop or not. The pressure drop is defined as the difference between the inlet and the outlet pressure. Additionally, meters have a maximum operating pressure. If you have a high-pressure application, you need to take this pressure rating into consideration. The temperature of your fluid and the instrument’s environment are the next topics to check. When selecting your instrument, you must consider where you install it. Whether it is indoors, outdoors, in a laboratory, or for a particular industry. For laboratories, other specifications are applicable than for the oil and gas industry.
When selecting your flow meter, you need to think about what is important in your process. What do you want to achieve? Sometimes it makes sense to select a flow meter that can be used in multiple applications. For instance, when you need an instrument in a research project and you know that other projects will follow in the future, but you have no idea what fluids are used then. In cases like this, it can be beneficial to select a flow sensor that is fluid-independent and has a wide flow range as well. Repeatability is producing the same outcome given the same conditions. In other words, a device should produce the same readings when operated under the same variables and conditions. This, too, is expressed as a ± percentage. This is, for example, especially important for burner applications.
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What is a flow meter?
Select your gas flow meter
Select your liquid flow meter
How to begin selecting a flow meter
First, you need to understand the key factors to consider when choosing a flow meter. Before you start selecting the right tool, it's essential to determine the purpose of your application. Are you measuring gas, liquid, or vapor? Let’s start by explaining more about what flow meters are, how they work, what they're used for, and the criteria to select the best instrument for your application.
1. What is a flow meter?
2. How does a flow meter work?
Beyond these two types of measurement, there are various measuring principles, each with unique advantages and disadvantages:
Mass flow measuring principles
What is a thermal flow meter
Coriolis mass flow measurement
Volume flow measuring principles
Gas & liquid flow measurement
You can find a glossary page on our website, where you'll discover many terms and abbreviations commonly used in the field of flow measurement.
3. Examples of applications
Find your GAS flow meter
Find your LIQUID flow meter
4. How to select the best flow meter for your application?
There is a significant difference between lab and industrial applications, but most of the considerations apply to both fields.
Phase of the fluid: gas/liquid/vapor
Some meters can be immediately ruled out because they won't work with the application. For example, electromagnetic flow meters will not work with hydrocarbons and require a conductive liquid to function. Many flow instruments cannot measure vapor or slurries. Here are some of the main flow meter categories paired with the fluid types they can handle:
What is the flow rate?
Check out the blog to learn why it's crucial to know what reference conditions you're working with. A supplier usually specifies the minimum and maximum full-scale range of a product series. This should meet your process requirements.
For which fluid do you use the flow meter?
Please note that MEMS or CMOS (chip) sensors applied in some gas flow meters are only suitable for a restricted number of non-aggressive gas types.
Another aspect you must consider is the viscosity of the fluid, the density, and dispersion (solid content). Not all measurement technologies can be used for all fluids; for example, electromagnetic flow meters can only be applied for conductive liquids.
What is the inlet and outlet pressure?
In the case of mass flow control, the inlet pressure (P1) and outlet pressure (P2) are required for the selection and dimensioning of the most appropriate control valve.What is the ambient temperature and the temperature of the fluid?
Variations in fluid temperature may affect the accuracy of your measurement. In case of temperature fluctuations, it could be interesting to select a flow instrument with temperature compensation (e.g., the EL-FLOW Prestige flow meters).
Too high or too low environment temperatures may also harm the electronic components of your flow meter during operation or storage. When you use a flow device in a furnace or burner application, or in areas with very low temperatures, it is important to check whether the instrument can withstand these extreme temperatures. Therefore, check the temperature specifications as provided by the supplier before selecting your flow meter.What is the location of the flow sensor?
5. What do you want to achieve with your instrument?
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Performance vs. Price
The most common criteria to select an instrument are price and performance. If you place price at the top of your criteria, you are likely to get a basic instrument with less than average performance.
Next to the price of the component, installation, maintenance, and repairs over time should be included in calculating the total cost of ownership. How much the meter costs to operate, like its electrical consumption, can also increase the overall cost of the flow device.
Accuracy vs. Repeatability
The specifications of the instrument must be taken into consideration when selecting a flow meter. Accuracy and repeatability are important specs to look at.
Flow Meter Accuracy
Accuracy is how close the measurement is to the true value. For flow devices, the measured deviations are often visualized on a calibration certificate. This is expressed as a percentage, e.g., ±1%. Not all meters offer the same accuracy; however, not all applications require the highest possible accuracy. Nevertheless, absolute accuracy is important in quantitative research and development or catalytic applications.
Flow Meter Repeatability
Repeatability is producing the same outcome given the same conditions. In other words, a device should produce the same readings when operated under the same variables and conditions. This, too, is expressed as a ± percentage. This is, for example, especially important for burner applications.
BLOG: Accuracy vs Repeatability
Flexible use
In case you have an application with high fluctuations in flow rate, you probably prefer a flow meter with a high turndown ratio. Turndown ratio is also commonly referred to as rangeability. It indicates the range in which a flow meter or controller can accurately measure the fluid. In other words, it's simply the high end of a measurement range compared to the low end, expressed in a ratio and is calculated using a simple formula: Turndown Ratio = maximum flow / minimum flow. Read more about turndown ratio in our FAQs.
Flow Meter Repeatability
BLOG: Accuracy vs Repeatability
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How to select the right flow meter for your application?
When selecting your instrument, you must consider where you install it. Whether it is indoors, outdoors, in a laboratory, or for a particular industry. For laboratories, other specifications are applicable than for the oil and gas industry.
Sometimes it makes sense to select a flow meter that can be used in multiple applications. For instance, when you need an instrument in a research project and you know that other projects will follow in the future, but you have no idea what fluids are used then. In cases like this, it can be beneficial to select a flow sensor that is fluid-independent and has a wide flow range as well. Repeatability is producing the same outcome given the same conditions. In other words, a device should produce the same readings when operated under the same variables and conditions. This, too, is expressed as a ± percentage. This is, for example, especially important for burner applications. What is the location of the flow sensor?
Flexible use
In case you have an application with high fluctuations in flow rate, you probably prefer a flow meter with a high turndown ratio. Turndown ratio is also commonly referred to as rangeability. It indicates the range in which a flow meter or controller can accurately measure the fluid. In other words, it's simply the high end of a measurement range compared to the low end, expressed in a ratio and is calculated using a simple formula: Turndown Ratio = maximum flow / minimum flow. Read more about turndown ratio in our FAQs.
Flow Meter Repeatability
BLOG: Accuracy vs Repeatability