Clamp on flow meters use Transit Time and Doppler technologies for accurate flow measurement that is non-invasive. Both technologies require two transducers that are installed to the outer surface of the pipe. T&D together with Micronics are able to offer a range of clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter solutions using both Transit Time and Doppler technologies for a range of different applications.
One of the transducers transmits the ultrasonic signals whilst the other receives them.
These transducers are used to create pulses which pass through the pipe.
A clamp on flow meter can accurately measure the flow by calculating the differences in ultrasonic signals of the flowing liquid.
Installing Micronics U1000 Clamp On Flow Meter To Pipe
Micronics specialise in using these technologies to suit most liquid flow requirements.
The Micronics U1000 is a fixed clamp-on flow meter solution for measuring preset flow rate – l/m with a volume pulse output in litres and with a 4-20mA flow rate signal, which can be used as a stand alone meter or as an integral part of an aM&T or BEM’s system.
Micronics Ultraflo clamp on flow meters are simple to install as they easily clamp on to the pipe without requiring the use of any specialist tools.
The Micronics U1000 provides a non-invasive and cost effective flow measurement solution compared to an in-line meter option.
There is minimum downtime for installation or maintenance so there is no interruption to the process.
Compact, rugged and reliable, the U1000 clamp on flow meter has been designed to provide sustained performance in industrial environments.
Contact T&D today to discuss your clamp on flow meter requirements with one of our experienced sales engineers.
Micronics Portaflow 330 Portable Ultrasonic Flow Meter – NHS
Micronics U1000 Fixed Clamp On Heat Meter – A Smarter Solution To Thermal Energy Metering
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ABOUT US
Thorne & Derrick International are your single-source supplier of Electrical, Mechanical, Process & Instrumentation Equipment. T&D provide an outstanding service to UK and international customers – we are highly customer responsive and absolutely committed to providing a world-class service.
T&D supply utilities, power, renewable energy, construction, rail, manufacturing, food/beverage, mining, oil, gas and petrochemical industries – distributing 100,000+ products from 100+ manufacturers from multi-million pound stocks. Since 1985 we have established a solid reputation based on service, integrity and trust.
Ultrasonic Flow Meters
Andrew Sutton, Managing Director of Katronic investigates the improvement in technology and increasing use and acceptance of ultrasonic flow meters in a wide variety of industrial and hazardous area flow measurement applications.
Before looking into the progress of one specific flow meter, it is important to recognise that ‘ultrasonic flow measurement’ is a term that covers a considerable range of different products.
Firstly, it should be considered that the measurement of flow using ultrasound can be achieved in two different ways. Some flow meters are based on a Doppler-type ultrasonic measurement technique whereby flow is obtained by looking at frequency changes in ultrasonic signals caused by particulate in the flowing media.
Devices of this nature can be used for measurement on closed pipes, open conduits or rivers where they can also be operated as profiling devices.
The second family of products employ variations of the transit time measurement principle through which the flow velocity is calculated. They interpret the time differences in upstream and downstream pulses sent and received from pairs of ultrasonic transducers.
This style of instrument operates on full pipelines and was traditionally used for clean process fluids. However, as will be discussed later, this is no longer the case.
The third group of products make use of ultrasonic level technology to measure the flow in open channels and are very common in the wastewater industry.
There is additional segregation of the technology as the transit time principle can be applied in two different ways.
In the first instance, pairs, or multiple arrays of ultrasonic transducers are built into measurement spools or inserted directly into pipes to provide a highly accurate measurement of liquids or gasses.
The second variation of the technology – and the one that we will be focusing on is based on the use of non-invasive ultrasonic sensors which are mounted onto the outer surface of the pipe and which remove the need for the user to make modifications to previously installed pipework.
Figure 1. The New KATflow 170 From Katronic Is Typical Of A New Generation Of Clamp-On Flow Meters Offering Customers Greater Levels Of Performance And Reliability.
Inline ultrasonic flow meters were adopted more quickly and are now considered accurate and reliable to the point when used on fiscal flow measurement applications.
In contrast, clamp-on equivalent technologies were traditionally employed for niche requirements rather than as a conventional measurement technique.
It is probably only now after 30 years of use, that customers are learning to trust and accept the instruments as a standard solution.
Katronic
The path of the clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter from niche product to accepted measurement technology has not been simple.
Initial concerns about reliability caused customer wariness about its use and operation.
There was also the suggestion of the clamp-on flow meter being the instrument of last-resort where, for reasons of complex process conditions alternative flow meters had been considered and rejected leaving the ultrasonic meters as the only possible solution.
This misapplication of the technology led customers to ignore good installation practice in the hope of a successful outcome and placing the blame for unsatisfactory results on the flow instruments.
Fortunately, this is no longer the case as technological developments have allowing manufacturers like Katronic to develop reliable and accurate instruments that meet the needs of its customers.
When looking at the operation of an ultrasonic flow meter, it is important that the customer has a realistic level of expectation and that the manufacturer ensures the technology is correctly used.
Given that the flow meters are properly specified, there is no reason why they should not provide the customer a cost-effective, hasslefree solution across a range of measurement requirements.
Figure 2. Clamp-On Ultrasonic Flow Meters Use Sensors To Send And Receive Ultrasonic Pulses. The Difference In The Time Of The Upstream And Downstream Pulses Is Directly Proportional To The Flow Velocity, Which Is Then Integrated With The Pipe Dimensions And Flow Profile Correction In Order To Provide The Measurements.
The clamp-on flow meters remain unique in that they are able to provide users with two distinct measurement solutions from the same standard technology.
Only ultrasonic meters can offer reliable flow measurement that can be moved between locations and take numerous flow measurements in a short period of time.
The same core system can also be employed for permanent installation on pipes with the identical level of ease of use and operation.
The difference in the use of these instruments could be best described by stating that portable flow meters are for identifying problems through testing and fault-finding, and that permanent clamp-on flow meters are used for solving problems.
In this case, the meters would be installed for measurement in locations where a need for a flow meter is proven and meters are not already in place.
Katronic have two portable flow meters to best meet the needs of their customers.
The KATflow 200 is a simple to use lightweight hand-held flow meter as opposed to the more advanced KATflow 230, which is designed to be able to offer engineers a variety of different configuration options.
There is equal diversity on the instruments for permanent installation with three different configurations being available from the lower-cost KATflow 100 to the highly developed KATflow 150 and the new KATflow 170, an ex-certified flow meter for operation in hazardous areas.
The growth in the use and acceptance of clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters has come about through two different driving factors.
The fact that the transit-time flow meters are mounted on the outside of the pipe has meant that they have always lent themselves to unusual applications.
There are obvious benefits to a meter that can be installed on toxic aggressive and dangerous applications without compromising the systems or risking the safety of personnel.
To give an indication on the breadth of uses that can be found for clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters Katronic are presently working on a project for the installation of KATflow 100 flow meters in space, and have also supplied instruments for submarines.
This in itself is testament to how far the technology has evolved.
In the past, heavier effluents and sludges would only have been suitable for measurement with a Doppler flow meter whereas now transit-time flow meters are able to provide reliable results.
The real change in the use of the clamp-on flow meter has come in the standardisation of the product with clamp-on instruments now being specified as a direct alternative for more traditional flow meters for reasons of simplicity, cost and commercial justification.
One example of how clamp-on flow meters have found their way into the mainstream is the new KATflow 170 from Katronic.
This instrument is specifically designed for the petrochemical and offshore industries where reliability and robustness are the key concern of the end user.
The hazardous area Zone 1 ex-certified flow meter is available in both stainless steel and epoxy-coated aluminium alloy and can be retrofitted onto pipes greater than 5 metre in diameter.
The flow meter can be used to measure a range of process fluids and is trusted for diverse applications.
One location where the KATflow 170 has found popularity is on oil blending systems – the Katronic meters are needed to provide reliable data on the crude oil flows and are specified by Cameron, a Schlumberger company.
Image: Cameron is a leading international provider of sampling and blending solutions for the oil, gas and hazardous area industries.
As Cameron themselves state “crude oil blending equipment is designed and selected to ensure minimum pressure drop and maximum reliability”.
It is for this reason that the KATflow 170 was used as the clamp-on design delivers stable and dependable measurement with no reduction in system pressure.
Another area where there is a potential for considerable growth on the use of the new technology is on large distribution pipelines, where the non-invasive nature of the flow meters provide a highly robust and cost-effective alternative to invasive Instruments on pipes containing a variety of petroleum products.
Figure 3. Clamp-On Flow Meters Provide The User With The Unique Functionality Of A Genuinely Portable Measurement. Seen Here The KATflow 200 And Transducers In Operation.
In addition, due to the advanced diagnostics found in the KATflow 170, it can offer the customer more than just flow data.
By looking at other measured variables such as fluid speed of sound, temperature and pressure, the Katronic meters can be used as part of a product recognition system for pipes where the content of the pipe may vary during the pumping process.
For example, the KATflow 170 is being trialled by Petrobras in Brazil to detect changes in fluid type and condition on pipelines hundreds of kilometres in length.
Another sector where this technology can be employed is on tanker unloading systems where the customer needs to be able to determine between flows of seawater and crude oil in order to minimise wastage and ensure correct storage of the products flowmeters like the KATflow 100 and the KATflow 150 are already a cost-effective solution for pipes greater than 200mm in diameter and once the additional installation costs are taken into consideration then the meters can offer the customer significant cost savings.
Unlike clamp-on flow meters, when fitting an electromagnetic device, elements such as manpower, tools and lifting equipment, can add to the cost of installation.
Additionally, consumables such as seals and bolts and longer term considerations like recalibration mean that the cost of ownership of any inline device can quickly add-up to the point where a device such as a KATflow 150 is the cheapest solution.
To this end, the instrumentation frameworks for the UK water companies now require that bidders be able to offer clamp-on flow meters as part of their standard product offering.
All recent market forecasts would seem to indicate that the future is bright for the ultrasonic flow meter in general, and specifically the clamp-on devices, as part of a new generation of instrumentation finding maturity and acceptance.
As manufacturers find new uses for the technology supported by advances in electronic component production, clamp-on flow meters will be found on an ever widening range of applications.
Clamp-on gas devices are already going through the same development cycle that the liquid ultrasonic meters went through twenty years earlier.
As customer’s requirements drive companies to try alternative concepts, and legislation further opens the door for new instrumentation, an innovative breed of ultrasonic meters will be fully and fairly taking their place alongside and sometimes replacing traditional technologies.
Katronic Ultrasonic Flow Meters
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ABOUT US
Thorne & Derrick International are your single-source supplier of Electrical, Mechanical, Process & Instrumentation Equipment. T&D provide an outstanding service to UK and international customers – we are highly customer responsive and absolutely committed to providing a world-class service.
T&D supply utilities, power, renewable energy, construction, rail, manufacturing, food/beverage, mining, oil, gas and petrochemical industries – distributing 100,000+ products from 100+ manufacturers from multi-million pound stocks. Since 1985 we have established a solid reputation based on service, integrity and trust.
by Katronic, a specialised UK manufacturer of Clamp-on Ultrasonic Flowmeters.
In this following article, we consider the pros and cons of installing ultrasonic clamp-on or electromagnetic (magmeter) type flow meters. We apply some cost-benefit analysis to establish conclusive evidence of the value-engineering savings and ROI to be derived from the specification and installation of ultrasonic clamp-on flowmeters.
Call T&D for Katronic Flowmeters
A magnetic flow meter (magmeter) would be expected to give an accuracy of anywhere between 0.15% and 2% depending on the manufacturer and the application requirements. Katronic ultrasonic flowmeters have an accuracy of 1-3% of measurement.
The range of a magmeter would be anything from 5mm to 2m depending on the supplier.
Ultrasonic flowmeters cover a range of 10mm to 3.5m with only two different sensor types.
The lowest cost magmeters start at > £1,000.00 but can exceed up to £20,000.00+ depending on the size of the pipe. Clamp-on flowmeters would cost between £ 3,000 and £ 6,000.00 depending on the meter configuration required.
Hazardous Area Flowmeter – KATFlow 170 Katronic
Magmeters cover a large range of liquids, however the medium MUST be conductive. One of the biggest problems with these type of flowmeters is that they are not able to measure liquids such as hydrocarbons and condensates. Ultrasonic flowmeters will measure virtually any liquid provided that the solid or gaseous content is not too high.
Also unlike magmeters the pipe condition does have an effect on performance.
Information available on magmeters would indicate a flow velocity range of 0.5 m/s – 10 m/s.
Katronic ultrasonic flowmeters cover a flow velocity range of 0.01 m/s – 25 m/s.
Katronic KATflow 200 Ultrasonic Clamp-On Flowmeter (Portable)
Magnetic flowmeters are an in-line device and therefore are susceptible to pressure changes and do cause a pressure drop across the meter. Clamp-on flowmeters are completely independent of pressure.
It is essential to break into the flow line to fit a meter and it may be necessary to weld flanges onto the pipeline. The fitting of an electromagnetic flowmeter is costly, both in material and manpower and involves shutting down the process which would be costly and is sometimes impossible.
Clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeters are completely free from installation and commissioning concerns and involve zero shut down time.
No Cutting. No Welding. No Cost.
Magnetic meters can be susceptible to damage and loss of calibration owing to particulate in the liquid and the general process condition. It would be recommended to remove the flow meter for checking on a regular basis thus incurring additional shut-down and cost. This is not required with the Katronic range of clamp-on meters.
| Base Data | Clamp-On Ultrasonic Meter | Turbine Flowmeter | Vortex Flowmeter | Electromagnetic Flowmeter | Orifice Plate | |
| Meter Capital Costs | 150mm OD, 1500 l/min | £2,750.00 | £800.00 | £1,250.00 | £1,800.00 | £1,250.00 |
| Engineering Costs | £60 per hour | £30.00 | £1,920.00 | £960.00 | £960.00 | £1,920.00 |
| Installation Costs | £50 per hour | £200.00 | £400.00 | £400.00 | £400.00 | £400.00 |
| Commissioning Costs | £50 per hour | £50.00 | £50.00 | £50.00 | £50.00 | £50.00 |
| Costs Due To Loss Of Production | 1000 per hour | £0.00 | £8,000.00 | £8,000.00 | £8,000.00 | £8,000.00 |
| Pumping Costs Due To Pressure Loss | £/10 years | £0.00 | £4,400.00 | £4,400.00 | £0.00 | £4,400.00 |
| Mean Time Between Failure MTBF | Years | 10 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 2 |
| Repairs/Calibration | #/10 years | 1 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| Cost To Repair | 10 years | £250.00 | £2,500.00 | £500.00 | £250.00 | £1,250.00 |
| Losses Due To No Metering (Per Year) | 1 pence/1000 l = £7,884 10 years = £78,840 |
|||||
| Total Costs | £3,280.00 | £18,081.00 | £15,567.00 | £11,471.00 | £17,277.00 |
Katronic Ultrasonic Flow Meters
Should you require competitive quotation or assistance with the specification and supply of Flowmeters please either complete the application form below or call T&D Sales Engineers – contact T&D to discuss hazardous area flowmeters for installation in potentially explosive atmospheres.
T&D: Distributor Of Water, Gas, Heat, Energy & Flow Meters – contact us for competitive prices, delivery and technical support.
Thorne & Derrick are inviting you to join LinkedIn’s fastest growing Discussion Group – Process & Hazardous Area Industries : Heat Tracing, Gas Detection, Fluid Control & Flow Measurement. News, projects, videos, promotions, whitepapers, jobs, webinars, press plus much more.
ABOUT US
Thorne & Derrick International are your single-source supplier of Electrical, Mechanical, Process & Instrumentation Equipment. T&D provide an outstanding service to UK and international customers – we are highly customer responsive and absolutely committed to providing a world-class service.
T&D supply utilities, power, renewable energy, construction, rail, manufacturing, food/beverage, mining, oil, gas and petrochemical industries – distributing 100,000+ products from 100+ manufacturers from multi-million pound stocks. Since 1985 we have established a solid reputation based on service, integrity and trust.
Manufacturer: Micronics
Scope: T&D supplied Micronics Portaflow 330 portable ultrasonic flow meter to the Country Durham and Darlington NHS trust as part of the £20m construction of theatres and mortuary. The new construction will involve the demolition of the existing 1960s-built Pierremont Building and the Mary Hodgkin Memorial Chapel to make way for a three storey building with upgraded facilities.
Micronics Portaflow PF330 Portable Clamp-on Flow Meter
Micronics Portaflow 330 portable flow meters have been supplied by Thorne & Derrick for the testing of pipe flow and calibrating the recently installed pipes and fittings to ensure they are flowing as anticipated.
The Micronics Portaflow 330 is typically used on clean water applications.
Client: NHS
Country: UK
Sector: Pharmaceutical
Darlington Memorial Hospital to spend £20m on operating theatres – BBC News
Flow Meters : Ultrasonic & Clamp-on Portable Meters
Thorne & Derrick are inviting you to join LinkedIn’s fastest growing Discussion Group – Process & Hazardous Area Industries : Heat Tracing, Gas Detection, Fluid Control & Flow Measurement. News, projects, videos, promotions, whitepapers, jobs, webinars, press plus much more.
ABOUT US
Thorne & Derrick International are your single-source supplier of Electrical, Mechanical, Process & Instrumentation Equipment. T&D provide an outstanding service to UK and international customers – we are highly customer responsive and absolutely committed to providing a world-class service.
T&D supply utilities, power, renewable energy, construction, rail, manufacturing, food/beverage, mining, oil, gas and petrochemical industries – distributing 100,000+ products from 100+ manufacturers from multi-million pound stocks. Since 1985 we have established a solid reputation based on service, integrity and trust.
Katronic have been working with clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters for twenty years.
During this time Katronic have gained a vast amount of experience in specifying and supplying ultrasonic flow meters for a wide variety of different applications.
In this Blog you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about ultrasonic flow meters in general and Katronic flow meters in particular.
Should you require any further information please contact Thorne & Derrick Sales Engineers – we can answer your questions, we can supply your requirements.
Katronic Ultrasonic Flow Meters
As the ultrasonic sensors are simply clamped on the pipe surface, Katronic ultrasonic flow meters can be installed without the need to break into pipelines.
The sensors are fixed to the pipe using metal chains, straps or mounting rails.
Additionally, coupling paste is applied to the bottom of the flow sensors to ensure an acoustically conductive connection to the pipe.
While particularly rough or pitted pipe surfaces may need cleaning with a file or suitable abrasive material, Katronic flow sensors can usually be installed without the need for surface preparation.
Every instrument of the Katronic KATflow series is equipped with a Setup Wizard and an Audible Sensor Positioning Assistant, which guide the user step-by-step through the installation process.
As a result, it only takes minutes to install and set up the ultrasonic flow meter and to obtain correct measurement data.
Professionalism: T&D, The Metering Specialists, ensure correct selection and application feasibility by on site demonstrations
For volumetric flow measurements, Katronic’s KATflow flow meters can achieve an uncertainty of 1 to 3 % of the measured value depending on the specific flow measurement application.
Uncertainty of approximately 0.5 % can be achieved with on-site process calibration. In case of flow velocity measurements, the flow meters achieve an uncertainty within 0.5% of the measured value.
Katronic’s ultrasonic clamp-on flow meters do not contain moving parts which could wear out. The sensor casings are manufactured from stainless steel and are not in contact with the flowing medium, which helps avoid corrosion. Thus maintenance should not be necessary.
Katronic KATflow 170 is an ATEX certified flow meter for safe installation in Zone 1 & Zone 2 hazardous area locations and potentially explosive atmospheres – available in both aluminium and stainless steel for flow metering of hazardous area located pipework.
Both the KATflow 200 and KATflow 230Â ultrasonic flowmeters operate for up to 24 hours in continuous operation on a full charge.
Katronic KATflow 210 Ultrasonic Clamp-On Flowmeter (Portable)
The flow meters should fully charge in twelve hours – the operating time of a portable flow meter would decrease if the instrument is used intermittently.
KATflow 230 is fitted with two 4-20 mA active outputs. If these are turned on battery life will decrease. The outputs should be disabled in the input/output menu if not in use.
If an extended operation is required then the KATflow 210 should be used.
The instrument has several battery configurations available and can be operated in three different measurement modes intended to provide the longest possible measurement.
Present estimates indicate that in its largest capacity the KATflow 210 should be able to provide data logging for over three months.
All of the Katronic flow meters can also be operated off mains power, providing continuous operation, even if only on a temporary basis.
If either of the ultrasonic flow meters are failing to meet the expected battery performance please contact the factory for additional advice.
Firstly, please ensure that the flow meters are fully charged – connect the flow meter to the charger.
At this point the flow meter should power up and the battery indicator should be flashing to show that charging is in progress. If this does not happen please contact us.
If the flow meter powers up on main supply turn off the flow meter, disconnect the power supply and attempt to turn on by pressing and holding the <ENTER> button.
If the flow meter fails to turn on, open the battery compartment, remove the batteries, check their integrity and replace in the flow meter. Repeat the start sequence.
If the flow meter screen still fails to illuminate the batteries may require replacement. Please contact the factory for more information.
Call T&D for Katronic Flowmeters
The KATflow series of ultrasonic clamp-on flow meters can cover a pipe diameter range from 10mm (0.4 inches) to 3m (118 inches) with special solutions available for non-standard applications.
The ultrasonic clamp-on sensors of the KATflow series come with a standard cable length of 2.5 or 5.0 meters depending on the specific sensor type. Additional extension cables of up to 100 meters can be ordered separately.
The ultrasonic flowmeters have a library of standard flow meter programmed into them. If the liquid to be measured is not in the list there are two things that can be done:
Firstly, the user can select “Water” from the menu. This might seem unhelpful but water has a good average set of values for the three main parameters that the flow meter needs.
Using water for an application that was not water-based might not be perfect but could give the user a set-up that will allow the flow meter to measure.
Katronic KATflow 200 Ultrasonic Clamp-On Flowmeter (Portable)
Please note that river-water, effluent, sewage etc. are all “water”, it is just the solid content that varies.
Secondly, if the user wished to have a more accurate set of data for the medium parameters, select “User” from the drop-down list and the flow meter will prompt the operator for three sets of data:
It is unusual for users to know the C-speed of the medium, which is effectively the speed of conductivity of a liquid to ultrasound.
There is a library of non-standard media in the back of the manual for this purpose. If the data is not found there, please contact Thorne & Derrick technical support for advice.
Please note that any manually entered liquid information is only applicable at that temperature.
Calibrations for specific pipes are not necessary. Entering the specific application parameters (e. g. pipe diameter, pipe material, type of fluid) into the flow meter ensures the above stated accuracy. If additional accuracy is required, a process calibration can be carried out on site.
Due to the ultrasonic measurement technology, there is no need to calibrate the flow meters to achieve the above stated accuracy (see question no. 2).
If a customer requires calibration, this can be ordered for an additional charge. The certificate confirms that the supplied sensor and flow meter combination is delivering measurements which are in the accuracy range stated.
Katronic KATflow 100 Ultrasonic Clamp-On Flowmeter (Fixed)
Once applied to the sensors during the initial installation, the acoustic coupling paste should not have to be replaced. If the mounting point is exposed to extreme atmospheric conditions, we would recommend the coverage of the sensors to be checked once a year.
If a KATflow 100, KATflow 150, KATflow 170 or KATflow 230 is fitted with PT100 sensors we would expect the flow meter to provide reliable measurement of the pipe temperature.
If however the flow meter is showing a fixed temperature of +800 ºC it means that the PT100 sensors are incorrectly connected to the flow meter, or are not connected at all.
This temperature is the default error output of the flow meter. Please consult the manual for wiring instructions.
All of the Katronic fixed installation flow meters will turn on immediately when power is supplied. If the flow meter fails to turn on when power is applied there are several checks that need to be made:
Firstly, ensure that power is reaching the main terminals on the flow meter using a multimeter. Check the fuses on the flow meter and replace if blown. Use the wiring diagram in the manual in order to ensure that the flow meter is wired correctly.
Check that the correct type of voltage is being supplied to the flow meter. AC and DC meters are marked accordingly, if an incorrect power supply has been applied to the flow meter, please disconnect the instrument and contact technical support as damage may have been done to the electronics.
Before taking a measurement, the ultrasonic flow meter will guide you to the Audible Sensor Positioning Assistant. This tool will enable you to find the optimum location for the transducers.
At this point it will give the user a graphical indication of signal strength, signal quality and a recommended sensor spacing.
If this is correct, the user then moves to the measurement screen but what happens if in spite of good signal flow measurements are not obtained?
Firstly a check should be made in order to ensure that there is indeed flow in the pipe at that moment. Experience has shown that many “issues” found when taking a measurement are application, rather than instrument based.
Hazardous Area Flowmeter – KATFlow 170 Katronic
If the liquid in the pipe is flowing, press <DISP> on the flow meter keypad to access the diagnostic level of the flow meter operating menu, followed by <NEXT> until the display shows:
The flow meter has three pre-set cut-off values outside of which measurement will not be possible under normal conditions.
SNR = the difference in the Signal and the Noise, therefore 15 dB signal and -15 dB noise = SNR of 30 dB
In the case of having what looks like a strong signal but no flow, it could be that the noise value is too high.
In which case check the wiring of the transducers for any loose strands, and consider earthing the screens of the transducers. Alternatively make a note of the above values and contact Technical Support for assistance.
As described in question 14 there must be at least -10 dB Signal and 6 dB of SNR in order for the flow meter to operate correctly. If these levels are not being achieved there are a number of things that can be done:
If all of this fails please contact Technical Support for more advice.
If the pipe is painted, and the coating looks in good condition, there is no need to remove the paint in order to get a good measurement.
Paint should only be stripped from a pipe if it is flaking or in poor condition, where there is obviously multiple layers of paint, or where measurement has been attempted but poor signal is seen – see also question 14.
If the flow meter has been operating continuously as expected and then stops there are several things to check:
WWEM The Water, Wastewater and Environmental Monitoring Exhibition & Workshops
Pictured: T&D’s Metering Sales Engineers (Terry McDonald, Anthony Mitchinson and Adam Rowe) following a recent training day with Kirsty Hammond (Katronic Technical Sales Representative).
T&D are committed to growing product knowledge and expertise in order to support their customers in the optimum choice of meters, including ultrasonic flow type, for measurement applications.
T&D: Distributor Of Water, Gas, Heat, Energy & Flow Meters – contact us for competitive prices, delivery and technical support.
Thorne & Derrick are inviting you to join LinkedIn’s fastest growing Discussion Group – Process & Hazardous Area Industries : Heat Tracing, Gas Detection, Fluid Control & Flow Measurement. News, projects, videos, promotions, whitepapers, jobs, webinars, press plus much more.
ABOUT US
Thorne & Derrick International are your single-source supplier of Electrical, Mechanical, Process & Instrumentation Equipment. T&D provide an outstanding service to UK and international customers – we are highly customer responsive and absolutely committed to providing a world-class service.
T&D supply utilities, power, renewable energy, construction, rail, manufacturing, food/beverage, mining, oil, gas and petrochemical industries – distributing 100,000+ products from 100+ manufacturers from multi-million pound stocks. Since 1985 we have established a solid reputation based on service, integrity and trust.
Published 13 Mar 2020
Press Release Date: 02.04.2020 uploaded by Chris Dodds (T&D Sales + Marketing Manager) World’s First Fully Certified ATEX Doors Thorne & Derrick International, the Experts in Equipment for Explosive Atmospheres, today announce the signing of a Commercial Distribution Agreement...
Published 04 Jul 2019
Press Release Date: 04.07.2019 uploaded by Chris Dodds (T&D Sales + Marketing Manager) Category: Stockist Distributor Agreement Announcement Thorne & Derrick International announce that they have signed a Preferred Distributor Agreement with Raytec, the world leading manufacturer of LED...
