Ultrasonic gas flowmeters use sound waves to measure gas viscosity, density, and temperature. Three main types are transmission, Doppler shift, and open channel. They are less expensive and invasive than mechanical flow meters and can accurately measure gas properties. They have many applications in industries such as wastewater and petrochemicals and can measure non-conductive fluids in a wide range of pipe diameters and thicknesses. They can also be used for leak detection, power and energy management, and surveying.
An ultrasonic gas flowmeter detects the viscosity, density and temperature of the gas stream using mechanical sound waves. These devices are equipped to measure the velocity changes of ultrasonic waves as they pass through a flowing fluid, enabling the calculation of material properties based on their effect on acoustic vibrations. The transducers receive sound pulses and measure them against the differentials between the sound waves traveling with and against the material streams. This solid-state equipment is available in handheld to clamp-on and stationary sizes.
Three main types comprise typical gas ultrasonic flowmeter equipment: transmission, Doppler shift, and open channel. Transmission types, or time-of-flight meters, measure transit time against the flow of a pipe, using invasive sensors or non-invasive clamp-on units. These work on the principle that acoustic waves traveling with a flow arrive at a different time to those traveling against a flow. Differences in response times reflect proportional changes with flow velocity. They allow uninterrupted analysis of any flow process.
The equipment that is based on the analysis of a Doppler shift effect can also be called a reflection meter. An open channel flowmeter could measure the exposed flows of rivers, culverts and sewers. Unlike mechanical flow meters, these technologies are less expensive and less invasive.
Industrial flowmeters were known to perform less effectively in measuring gases than liquids. This is due to lower acoustic impedances and higher attenuation levels, or wave pattern losses, of the gas properties. Technical innovations have allowed the widespread development of ultrasonic flowmeter products for gases, performing even where signal-to-noise ratios are negligible. These devices can now accurately measure the propagation of ultrasonic waves through pipelines. The flow media can include air, steam, natural gas, and other gas elements.
The widespread use of gas ultrasonic flowmeter equipment provides many industries with access to valuable data, which can aid in manufacturing processes and operational cost estimation. The versatility of the technology provides applications in the wastewater, petrochemical and sewage industries. Measurement techniques such as Doppler reflections from particles or bubbles of flow do not block flows or have interfering structures that can trap insects or particles; this makes them suitable for industries that need to meet hygienic standards.
This technology also allows for the measurement of non-conductive fluids in a wide variety of pipe diameters and thicknesses. Gas ultrasonic flowmeters improve operational efficiency from treatment plants to offshore platforms. It is capable of capturing flows through small pipes and ducts to large flues, in wide temperature ranges. Some units provide options for single or dual path transducers, as well as fixed or remote electronics.
Consisting essentially of a control interface connected to a pair of tube-mountable transducers, the equipment has many applications. The relevant principles of ultrasonic flow measurement are numerous and evolving in many fields. They can include uses not only in simple flow monitoring, but also in leak detection, fixed installation meter inspections, power and energy management, and surveying. Equipment can range from lightweight pocket detectors to massive and complex transducer arrays on fixed structures.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
