Showing posts with label Ultrasonic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ultrasonic. Show all posts

Thursday, 28 May 2026

Clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter.

Contactless measurement of process liquids and demanding fluids.

A new flow meter for challenging process media has been added to the WIKA portfolio. The FLC-CS4 from the ClampSonic™ instrument series features a contactless clamp-on design. When mounted on the outside of a pipe, the instrument can measure flow non-invasively in both directions. The transducers use the properties of sound waves to safely and efficiently monitor corrosive, abrasive and highly viscous liquids.

Ultrasonic technology ensures high accuracy over a wide measuring range. Additional measurement parameters that can be recorded include temperature, density, concentration and calorific value. This makes the flow meter a comprehensive solution for various applications, including retrofits and sampling inspections. Typical application areas are, for example, mining, paper production, the food and beverages industry, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning or water and wastewater infrastructure.

The FLC-CS4 can be easily configured via an intuitive user interface – thanks to integrated Wi-Fi from a remote location as well as directly in the field. With the WIKA WebApp, operators can keep track of their measured data at any time. The user interface clearly displays selected parameters for two streams together with detailed measurement information. Real-time diagnostics displaying waveform data and installation parameters ensure seamless process monitoring. Instead of physical keys, the instrument is operated with touch and gesture control. Moreover, it features a full-colour, high-resolution IPS LC display providing optimal readability under direct sunlight.

The flow meter is available in two versions: a wireless version and a field version. Both versions include an electronic unit and two transducers. The field version also comes with a power supply and communication box, enabling seamless integration into PLC (programmable logic controller) ecosystems. This allows for an isolated power connection and trouble-free communication in the field.


@WIKANews #PAuto

Friday, 12 September 2025

US flowmeter compatible flow computer.

A major update has been announced for Ex-i Measurement's SFC3000 Flow Measurement Computer with firmware implementation of ISO17089-1 (2019 Appendix F), available in V0.50.9.0. The SFC3000 has an onboard menu of manufacturer and model specific ultrasonic meter drivers, as well now having a complete “Generic” ISO17089-1 driver.

ISO17089-1 (2019 Appendix F) standard describes a predefined set of Modbus tables to provide a generic ultrasonic meter interface. Tables 1 and 2 were previously available under the “Generic” meter selection option in the SFC3000. V0.50.9.0 now includes tables 3 and 4, which are the virtual tag plate, pressure and temperature write registers.

Early flow meters were typically orifice or turbine designs which suffered from having to rely on either venturi effect or a bladed wheel measuring techniques fitted inside the pipe to get a reading of flow. Both these techniques can be blocked or damaged if a foreign body comes along the pipe, and can wear out, reducing measurement accuracy.

An ultrasonic meter does not rely on moving parts or a restriction in the pipe, instead sound is echoed across the pipe and a difference is measured. The difference is proportional to the flow. There is a cost implication for this technology and some fairly complicated electronics are required to process the acquired data but this is a tradeoff for accuracy and reliability.

The Ex~I Flow Measurement SFC3000 flow computer is a highly versatile liquid hydrocarbon and gas flow measuring device capable of operating in a stand-alone single stream flow measurement system or as part of a highly complex multi-stream system.

The SFC3000 is far more than just a dedicated flow computer. It can operate on a number of levels from a supervisory machine to a standalone flow computer or as a system component. With its touch screen VGA display and extensive processing capabilities, combined with simple to use controls and unique operating software, it can function as a complete station supervisor integrated into a flow computer housing.

Designed specifically to meet the needs of the worldwide liquid hydrocarbon and gas measurement markets, the SFC3000 is intended to positively contribute to both management and conservation of the world’s dwindling energy resources by providing both versatile and accurate measurement and incorporating state of the art designs and components.

The SFC3000 flow computer should be considered the “brains” of a flow measurement system and requires a number of peripheral components to take measurements. In its simplest form, a flow measurement system will consist of:

  • An SFC3000 flow computer with 1 I/O option board
  • A flow meter (turbine, ultrasonic, differential pressure or Coriolis)
  • A pressure sensor (HART or 4-20mA) A temperature sensor (Hart, 4-20mA or PT100 Platinum Resistance Thermometer).

The SFC3000 is packaged in an industry Standard Half Width 3U High 19” rack construction suitable for panel or chassis mount. It can accommodate up to 6 user plug-in cards and up to five measurement streams in the same chassis. Operating temperature ranges; PRT Inputs, -10°C to 55°C (15°F to 130°F), Hart® and 4-20mA Inputs -25°C to 55°C (-15°F to 130°F). Operating humidity to 90% non-condensing and meets environmental classes M2/E2.


@ExiFlow @proactivefleet #PAuto

Tuesday, 1 April 2025

New ultra-sonic flowmeter.

Modular design provides versatility and precision for volumetric and mass flow measurement of gases and liquids.

The Flexim FLUXUS® / PIOX® 731 series from Emerson is a new range of non-intrusive, clamp-on, ultrasonic flow meters designed to offer greater flexibility, convenience and availability. The nine models in the 731 series feature high-performance volumetric and mass flow sensing technologies and a robust, functional design, providing accurate and reliable measurements for both liquids and gases, with no process media pressure limitations.

Process manufacturers often need to make permanent or temporary flow measurements in areas where penetration into the process media would be problematic because it would typically require a production interruption, along with high costs and downtime. Although some solutions are available, not many meet the performance requirements for a wide range of demanding industrial applications.

To address these and other issues, the Flexim 731 series provides non-intrusive volumetric or mass flow measurements with no process media pressure limitations, ensuring cost-effective operation and low ownership costs. Modular hardware enables the reduction of assembly time by 20% for faster delivery, and integration with most up-to-date software and hardware is straightforward.

The 731 series provides disturbance correction for enhanced accuracy in challenging conditions, such as disturbed flows. It also provides the Advanced Meter Verification feature to validate meter performance, Wet Gas Correction to ensure accurate gas stream measurements, and the Dynamic Gas Meter feature for precise mass and volume correction.

Various models are available to meet varying application requirements, including:

  • FLUXUS F/G731 GP – General Purpose: Provides flexibility for various applications, and it includes disturbance correction and the Dynamic Gas Meter.
  • FLUXUS H731 HPI: Ideal for pipelines and terminals, provides leak detection and integrity monitoring, along with mass flow and density measurements.
  • PIOX S731: Focused on chemical industries for measuring mass flow, concentration and density measurements.
  • FLUXUS F731 WD Water Flow Meter: Designed for the water and wastewater industries, with non-intrusive temperature measurement.
  • FLUXUS F731 TE: Suitable for energy management and building automation, with dual-channel thermal energy measurement.
  • FLUXUS G731 CA: For monitoring compressed air and technical gases in life sciences and manufacturing industries.
  • FLUXUS G731 ST-LT/HT: Measures low and high-temperature steam for industries such as food & beverage and power generation.

All models include an 84mm wide x 45mm high backlit display with 240 x128 pixel resolution for easy readability, synchronised channel averaging for precise gas measurements, and a wide power supply range of 0-240 volts AC +/-10% at 50-60 Hz or 11-32 volts DC. A USB-C port is provided as a servicing interface for programming and data extraction.

Meeting ATEx (Atmosphéres Explosibles), IECEx (International Electrotechnical Commission System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres), and EAC (Eurasian Conformity) standards, with FM (Factory Mutual) certification expected in April 2025, the Flexim 731 series is designed for global use and compliance.


@EmersonExchange @Emerson_News @EMR_Automation @HHC_Lewis #PAuto

Monday, 24 March 2025

Air leak detection.

New acoustic Imaging Camera helps professional inspectors locate smaller compressed air leaks faster and accurately.

The Si1-LD, an industrial acoustic imaging camera that brings faster and more accurate compressed air leak detection to those operating on a modest condition monitoring budget has been introduced by FLIR. The Si1-LD offers improved detection and quantification capabilities in comparison with the existing FLIR Si124-LD Plus, along with a higher upper limit frequency range.

Compressed air systems typically lose 25–30% of their air to leaks, resulting in proportionally higher energy bills, costly unplanned production stoppages, shorter compressor operating life, the need to purchase extra compressor capacity, and increased maintenance expenses for the additional equipment.

Leveraging the advantages of ultrasonic technology, the new FLIR Si1-LD pinpoints leaks with enhanced imaging sensitivity at an affordable price. It offers a number of stand-out capabilities and features:

  • An array of 96 microphones (2–100 kHz) facilitates the automatic detection, location, and measurement of compressed air and vacuum leaks from a safe distance of up to 130 m. Support comes from a 12 MP color camera with 8× digital zoom and LED lamp, facilitating the easy capture of visual details.
  • Bandpass filtering allows inspectors to effectively tune out any confusing and/or incorrect sources of ultrasound without manual tuning. Ideal for challenging leak detection applications where user input is advantageous, the inspector simply uses the bandpass filter to undertake manual tuning of the required frequency range and clearly displays the source of interest on very rare occasions when needed.
  • Single-handed operation of the lightweight, compact FLIR Si1-LD ultrasonic imager and industry-leading AI makes for an easy-to-use device with minimal training perfect for fast-paced inspections across large facilities.
  • The touch-screen interface displays high-resolution images for easy issue identification with real-time, on-device quantification in terms of leak volume flow rate and leak cost per year. Users can leverage this data to prioritize repairs. The data is also suitable for inclusion in sustainability reports as an indication of energy reduction initiatives.
  • Wireless data transfer ensures seamless reporting/analytics options, using either the online FLIR Acoustic Viewer or offline FLIR Thermal Studio effortless data backup and organizational team sharing, while also providing the backbone for Over The Air (OTA) firmware updates. The software gives users the ability to create reports through pre-built or fully customizable templates.

“Many manufacturing and process plants are seeing their energy bills creep up through leaky compressed air systems, increasing OPEX [operational expenditure] and eroding margins,” said Darrell Taylor, Global Acoustic Business Development Manager at FLIR. “If you want to find leaks quickly and easily with minimal technician training, our new Si1-LD industrial acoustic imaging camera provides a fast and precise solution that supports sustainable manufacturing. As well as reduced energy consumption, the new device helps you save on maintenance, repair, operation, and capital/OPEX costs all while enhancing worker safety. With its minimum detected leak rate [MDLR] of 0.01 L/min at 2.5 m, our Si1-LD offers the market’s best combination of performance and ease-of-use in its price point.”

The new acoustic imaging camera comes with two batteries, additional battery cover, battery charger, camera neck strap, hard case, USB memory stick, access to free versions of online & offline acoustic analysis and reporting software, and two-year warranty. A new accessory is the data transfer cable. This handy cable allows users to connect directly from the camera to a PC/laptop, supporting easy file access at organizations that forbid the use of WiFi and USB drives. Users can upload their acoustic images into FLIR Thermal Studio software or the FLIR Acoustic Viewer

Two versions of the Si1-LD are available, with and without WiFi. All other features are the same.


@flir  @mepaxIntPR #Pauto

Thursday, 16 May 2024

Ultrasonic imaging solutions for manufacturing, utility, and process industries.

Teledyne FLIR has announced a business and technology partnership to provide industrial customers with leading-edge predictive maintenance solutions, beginning with the FLIR Si2-Series of acoustic imaging cameras: Si2-Pro, Si2-LD, and Si2-PD.

Leveraging each organization’s deep expertise in supporting manufacturing reliability and energy conservation, UE Systems and FLIR will jointly operate throughout the world providing ultrasonic technology for condition monitoring needs over a wide range of industrial applications. The Si2-series empowers customers to pinpoint issues relating to detecting partial discharge, identifying pressurised leaks, and locating mechanical faults in industrial environments.

“By partnering together, FLIR and UE Systems can provide manufacturing-focused industrial customers with more effective acoustic imaging solutions and expertise as part of comprehensive condition monitoring, predictive maintenance, and energy conservation programs,” said Mark Bochella, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, FLIR. “The mutually beneficial combination of FLIR’s strong brand, built on its thermal imaging expertise, with UE Systems’ extensive understanding of ultrasonic maintenance programs within manufacturing environments presents an enticing growth opportunity for both organizations.”

“This partnership affords FLIR and UE Systems the ability to combine their respective strengths for the benefit of reliability maintenance programs and energy conservation across the world, starting with the Si2-Series of acoustic imaging cameras,” said Blair Fraser, Vice President, Global Technology & Business Development, UE Systems. “In the months and years ahead, we anticipate UE Systems and FLIR will explore additional opportunities for collaboration that provide comprehensive, multi-sensing solutions customers can’t find anywhere else.”

The technology and business partnership initially comprises the Si2-Series of acoustic imaging cameras, offering industrial-grade solutions that address the top inspection requirements for manufacturing, electrical, processing, and utilities organizations. The partnership also opens additional opportunities for FLIR and UE Systems to collaborate on future industrial maintenance initiatives that align with the respective priorities of each organization.


@flir @UE_Systems @mepaxIntPR #TandM #PAuto

Thursday, 17 August 2023

Innovative ultrasonic technology enhances portfolio.

A definitive agreement to acquire FLEXIM Flexible Industriemeßtechnik has been announced by Emerson. This company is a global leader in clamp-on ultrasonic flow measurement for liquids, gases and steam.

Flexim, headquartered in Berlin (D) brings highly differentiated, complementary technology and strong customer relationships to Emerson, with an installed base of more than 100,000 flowmeters, as well as approximately 450 employees. Flexim provides highly accurate, low-maintenance clamp-on ultrasonic flow measurement technology for a broad range of attractive end markets, including chemical, water and wastewater, life sciences, food and beverage, and power generation. The transaction will expand Emerson’s automation portfolio and measurement capabilities, complementing its existing flow measurement positions in Coriolis, differential pressure, magmeter and vortex flow measurement. Underpinned by favourable end market growth and technology leadership, the global ultrasonic clamp-on flowmeter market is expected to grow in the high single digits annually longer-term. 

Upon the close of the transaction, Flexim’s Berlin headquarters is planned to become Emerson’s Ultrasonic Flow Measurement Centre of Excellence.

“We are excited to further enhance Emerson’s capabilities with the addition of Flexim’s leading clamp-on ultrasonic measurement technology, which is a strong complement to our intelligent devices portfolio,” said Ram Krishnan, chief operating officer of Emerson. “Flexim brings an exciting new technology that will enable us to accelerate growth. The combination of Emerson’s comprehensive measurement suite and Flexim’s innovative technology will enhance the value we bring to customers across a variety of industries. We look forward to welcoming Flexim’s skilled and dedicated employees to Emerson, where they will continue to play a critical role in driving the success of the business.”

“We are thrilled to be joining Emerson, which shares our culture of innovation and focus on technology and R&D,” said Jens Helpert, chief executive officer and co-founder of Flexim. “This transaction will enable us to provide more comprehensive solutions to a broader set of customers, leveraging Emerson’s global intelligent devices leadership and commercial excellence. As we join forces with Emerson, we will continue to serve our customers and utilise our combined capabilities to solve essential measurement needs.”

The transaction is expected to close by the end of Emerson’s fiscal 2023, subject to customary closing conditions. Flexim is expected to be accretive to Emerson’s sales growth, gross margins and adjusted EBITA margins. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Flexim will be reported in Emerson’s Measurement and Analytical segment. For the transaction, Evercore is serving as financial advisor and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is serving as legal advisor.


@EmersonExchange @EMR_Automation @Emerson_news @Flexim_Americas @HHC_Lewis #PAuto

Friday, 31 March 2023

Testing water consumption in appliances.

A major appliance manufacturer selected its FTI Flow Technology's QCT_PA12 in-line ultrasonic flow meter for testing water consumption in appliances. FTI will supply over 150 flow meters in 1/8-inch and 1/4-inch sizes for the testing program. The QCT_PA12 Series flow meter was preferred for its high accuracy and reliability over the flow range.

“The QCT_PA12 Series flow meter is ideal for large-scale, low-viscosity liquid flow measuring applications like this testing program," said Ralph Duffill, president of FTI Flow Technology LLC. "Water is too important to waste, and the flow meter's excellent accuracy and zero maintenance will be real assets in the manufacture of high-efficiency appliances that will use less water. 

The QCT_PA12 Series in-line ultrasonic flow meter is a highly accurate, rugged, compact, and lightweight instrument for use in low-viscosity liquid applications requiring excellent accuracy and reliability. Constructed from Nylon-12 (PA12) material, the flow meter has no moving parts, a non-wetted sensor, and nothing in the flow stream to cause an obstruction to the flow path. Accuracy is +/-0.5 percent of reading plus zero stability and repeatability is +/-0.2 percent over 10:1 calibration range. It has a 0.035 to 250 GPM flow range, 14°F to 176°F (-10°C to 80°C) temperature range, and analog, scaled frequency and Modbus RTU outputs. The QCT_PA12 Series meter is available in sizes 1/8 inch to 2 inches.

The QCT_PA12 Series is an exceptional solution for measuring low-viscosity liquids in a number of industries, such as chemical, food & beverage, pharmaceutical, plastics, power generation, pulp & paper, semiconductor, and steel. The meter’s construction also makes it the meter of choice for many high purity and corrosive liquids. Typical applications include water treatment for boilers and cooling towers, clean-in-place (CIP) systems, mechanical seal flushing/cooling, process water, cooling loops, reverse osmosis (RO) systems, small-line injection systems, and larger DI water distribution systems and high-purity filtration systems. 

@FlowTechnology #Water #PAuto

Thursday, 5 January 2023

Portable flow measurement without interrupting process.

A new Portable Transit Time Ultrasonic Flow Meter in addition to the full-sized clamp-on version from AW-Lake, provides non-contacting flow measurement for the most challenging industrial environments with minimal installation complexity and costs. The new Portable Ultrasonic meter was designed to be deployed easily to measure flow on demand, without difficult installations or process interruptions.

The hand-held unit is encased in a rugged IP67 housing and works with the same 3 interchangeable transducers as the full-sized meter, which make it suitable for measurements on a wide range of metal and plastic pipe materials on pipes from ½” to 48” in diameter. A simple menu allows for fast and easy programming of pipe diameter, pipe material, liquid types, and measurement units. In addition to providing a standard 4-20mA/0-5V analog output, optional Modbus RTU and HART communications provide instantaneous flow rate, volume, total, run hours, and diagnostic information.

An intuitive on-screen user interface with a data logger enables operators to view flow reports or download logs for use in other programs. Data management storage of 12.5 million data points with logger software for data viewing and reporting. Through the use of an integrated USB-C port, the PTFM 6.1 seamlessly expands its input and output capability to meet future requirements without replacing the whole meter. The Greyline Portable Transit Time Flow Meter offers the versatility to meet changing flow measurement needs today, tomorrow, and into the future.

The flow meters use the transit time ultrasonic principle of measurement that works by measuring the flight difference for ultrasonic sound pulses transmitted from one transducer to another. The time between transmitted and received signals is precisely measured by the flow meters. Both Ultrasonic Flow Meters are ideal for measuring the flow rate of clean, non-aerated fluids in full pipes such as water, chemicals, and fuel oils with highly accurate and reliable flow measurement.

@AWLakeCompany #PAuto 

Wednesday, 19 January 2022

Clamp-on flow!

Prosonic Flow W 400 brings the modern technology of Endress+Hauser’s Proline device series to clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeters. The W 400 clamp-on and I 400 insertion units provide comprehensive process monitoring with long-term cost efficiency and extensive diagnostics. These sensors pair with Endress+Hauser’s Proline 400 transmitter to provide a complete flow metering solution.

For decades, users in many process industries have turned to ultrasonic clamp-on instruments for convenient flow measurement. This trend continues, but with growing requirements for instrument data. Prosonic Flow W 400 addresses this and other issues by providing reliable measurements of process parameters, along with a host of additional information.

The flowmeter uses a nonintrusive, clamp-on measurement method, with its ultrasonic sensors mounted directly on a pipe’s exterior. This provides safe measurement of many fluids, independent of their conductivity or other properties. This includes corrosive, abrasive, and toxic fluids, making this flowmeter ideal for monitoring countless processes.

Because neither piping nor process flow are interrupted, clamp-on flowmeters can be easily used for retrofitting at any time. They are suitable for low- or high-pressure applications, on pipes smaller than an inch in diameter, and up to 160 inches, such as those encountered in water distribution.

This size range illustrates the Prosonic Flow W 400 measurement solution’s versatility. It can be used to measure flow, monitor processes, verify previously installed flowmeters, detect leaks in a pipeline, and for other applications.

The flowmeter’s IP68 Type 6P submergence-rated ultrasonic sensors provide long-term and reliable operation, requiring little maintenance. This makes them suitable for use in harsh process and ambient conditions, able to withstand temperatures from –40 to +266 °F.

The Proline 400 transmitter includes a built-in web server, so users can access process, diagnostic, configuration, and other instrument data via any device capable of hosting a web browser, such as a laptop, smartphone, or tablet.

The transmitter provides targeted parameterization of measuring points, and it saves time during commissioning, maintenance, and service. Its LCD display and web-based operating tool each show real-time measurement quality—good, acceptable, or bad—to provide key status information at a glance.

Piping systems in the process industry often have multiple fittings and elbows that disturb the flow profile and, along with it, the accuracy of ultrasonic flow measurement. The Prosonic Flow W 400 solution is optionally available with Endress+Hauser’s FlowDC function, which detects and corrects for the effects of flow disturbance. This ensures measurement accuracy even in the presence of a short pipe inlet run, for example when significantly reduced from the standard 15 pipe diameters down to two. The FlowDC function increases flexibility for equipping new or retrofitted systems with clamp-on flowmeters.

Heartbeat Technology—a testing function integrated into all Endress+Hauser Proline measuring devices—provides instrumentation self-diagnostics, along with traceable measurement verification during operation. This technology monitors for changes to the instrument electronics and sensors caused by extreme environmental or process conditions, increasing measurement integrity.

Prosonic Flow W 400 can be mounted on a wide variety of pipe types and materials with or without lining, including metal—e.g., steel or cast iron—plastic, glass-fiber-reinforced plastic, and composite materials. A maintenance-free contact medium, called a coupling pad, provides optimum sound transmission between sensor surface and the pipe, and the resulting high signal strength ensures stable measurement results and long-term reliability. These clamp-on flow sensors are available in multiple ultrasonic frequencies ranging from 0.3 to 5 MHz, optimized for application pipe size, pipe material, and fluid.

@Endress_Hauser @Endress_CA @endress_UK @Endress_US #PAuto 

Tuesday, 16 November 2021

Rugged, compact and safe US system.

Reliable protection is required wherever people and machines interact. The Pepperl+Fuchs USi®-safety system guarantees protection based on the design-related robustness of the ultrasonic sensors. The separation of the actual sensor component from the control interface allows for an extremely compact design. The devices can be easily installed in very confined spaces.

Safe ultrasonic sensor system with distinctly
elliptical sound beam for optimal area monitoring
In addition to access protection in safety areas, the USi®-safety system offers flexible solutions for autonomous units such as robots and self-driving transport systems. It is the only ultrasonic system with safety approval in accordance with EN ISO 13849 Category 3 PL d.

The ultrasonic transducers of the USi-safety system meet the requirements for the IP69K degree of protection, are suitable for outdoor use, and can withstand high-pressure cleaning. The sound beams of the ultrasonic transducers have an elliptical cross section, allowing for an especially large sensing range. The safety architecture is based on continuous two-channel electronics with fail-safe outputs and two microcontrollers that monitor each other. Two sensor units can be connected to one control interface.

@PepperlFuchs @mepaxIntPR #Pauto #Robotics 

Tuesday, 17 August 2021

Design of ultrasonic level transmitter recognised and lauded!

An innovative product which increases accuracy and optimizes performance in industrial water processes.

ABB’s LST200 ultrasonic level transmitter was awarded best in category for physical, as well as technical, design by Red Dot. The winning ABB transmitter is particularly notable for solving the surface condensation challenge often faced by plant owners, where a buildup of water has historically affected accuracy of essential plant readings. The LST200 uses new generation, active surface technology known as a “Lotus Effect” whereby the liquid will drop off before it pools into larger drops that could then cause problems, offering an effective and cost-effective solution.

Jacques Mulbert, President of ABB’s Measurement & Analytics Division said: “To win a product design award of this magnitude is an honor. When developing the LST200, we focused on building in design and technical excellence throughout to create a product that features an intuitive user experience and powerful industrial capabilities with the overall aim of making measurement easy.”

The Red Dot Award is a highly regarded international design prize which began in 1955. More than 15,000 admissions are submitted annually from over 70 countries around the world.

The Red Dot Awards jury said “This robust level gauge impresses with a simplicity that has been thought through down to the last detail. It presents itself as a proven means of ensuring efficiency and reliability.”

The smart ultrasonic level transmitter is used to measure distance between one object and another by establishing the time between emission and reception. It can be used in various industrial environments but has been designed especially for the water and wastewater treatment applications. Its design focuses on simple operation and reliability. It is modular which lends itself towards ease of installation, maintenance and upgrading. A built-in interference filter ensures that information obtained from the sensor can be used and analyzed easily.

Innovative features include the adaptive intelligent algorithms based on long-term experience data and the inclusion of the ABB Ability™ Field Information Manager software for the PC which improves customer configuration efficiency.

Using an ultra-stable algorithm, the device can detect environmental changes including temperature, disturbance, measuring distance and signal strength. It then automatically compensates the variations to keep the device performing at its best.

@ABBMeasurement @reddot #PAuto #Design

Tuesday, 8 June 2021

The progress of US flowmeters.

Flow Research has been following the ultrasonic flowmeter market since 2000, and we have seen many changes occur during that time. It's been more than three years since their most recent study of this market was published - the 5th Edition. A new study "The World Market for Ultrasonic Flowmeters, 6th Edition." has now been issued.

This study consists of three separate studies which are now available:

• Core Study: The World Market for Ultrasonic Flowmeters, 6th Edition
• Module A: The World Market for Inline Ultrasonic Flowmeters
• Module B: The World Market for Clamp-on and Insertion Ultrasonic Flowmeters

These gathered data for both 2019 and 2020 and gives a clear picture of the market in 2019, along with data on how the pandemic affected the market in 2020. With conditions gradually improving, this study gives a sound footing for the rebound that is already occurring in 2021 and is likely to continue through the forecast period of 2024. In the past few days oil prices have reached a two year high and are now near $70 per barrel. Demand for natural gas is growing, and the next few years should be strong ones for ultrasonic flowmeters. Ultrasonic flowmeters will also be a major factor in the growth of renewable energy.

The ultrasonic flowmeter market has proved, along with Coriolis, to be one of the fastest growing flowmeter markets in the past 20 years. Ultrasonic flowmeters are unique in that they have three distinct mounting types: Inline, Clamp-on, and Insertion. This gives them a versatility that other flowmeters lack, and makes them ideal for check metering, measuring flare gases, and highly accurate Inline flow measurement. What ultrasonic meters are perhaps best known for is their ability to measure custody transfer of natural gas and petroleum liquids.

New Product Developments in Inline Meters
The Inline Ultrasonic market is especially important because these meters are used for growing custody transfer applications for both oil and natural gas. Ultrasonic meters are holding their own against competing turbine and differential pressure flowmeters because these other flowmeter types still present challenges for certain applications. Inline meters offer greater security and typically greater accuracy than clamp-on and insertion meters, and they are the largest market of the three types. Many of the new developments, like twin transmitters and more accurate multipath measurement, are occurring with inline meters.

Insertion and Clamp-on Markets: A Critical Part of the Picture
The insertion and clamp-on markets are also an increasingly important part of the ultrasonic picture. Insertion meters are widely used to measure flare and stack gas emissions. These meters are increasingly important in a world of tightening environmental regulations. They also are more economical than inline meters, since they can be hot tapped or cold tapped and do not have a meter body.

Clamp-on meters have the unique feature that they can measure flow with no pipe penetration - they simply clamp on to the outside of a pipe and send ultrasonic signals to a receiver on the other side of the pipe. Clamp-on meters are widely used as check meters and to spot check flows where inline meters are not needed or are impractical. The technology of clamp-on meters continues to improve.

Module B presents the data for insertion and clamp-on meters in their own separate dedicated chapters, complete with their own growth factors and detailed segmentation. Companies that only manufacture clamp-on or insertion flowmeters will find this module especially attractive.

The Ultimate Package: Putting it All Together
The Core Study takes the most critical data from Modules A and B and puts it together into a picture of the entire ultrasonic flowmeter market. The Core Study allows you to compare inline, clamp-on, and insertion meters in terms of market size, growth rate, and market shares. It also contains all the company profiles from both Modules A and B, and also the product analyses. The Core Study is great as a standalone study, but even better together with Modules A and B.

Flow Research is making a special offer on the ultrasonic studies they call the "Ultimate Package" that enables ordering of all three studies for the price of two. With this order, they offer a substantial discount on their new study, published in April, called "Flowmeters in the Oil & Gas Industry."

@flowresearch #PAuto #Research

Wednesday, 26 May 2021

Ultrasonic flow measuring system.

Tried-and-tested ultrasonic measuring technology and intelligent diagnostic functions ensure optimum operation, even with minimum straight inlet runs and disturbed flows

Many process plants have difficulty finding ideal installation points for flow measurement devices due to requirements for long length of inlet run and undisturbed flows. Endress+Hauser's Prosonic Flow P 500 measuring system addresses these and other issues with its FlowDC function, which is unique in the market.

The device requires only minimal straight inlet runs and it can be installed directly onto the exterior of the pipe, so there is no need to interrupt operations. Planners and operators of process plants can stay flexible and install the Prosonic Flow P 500 in just about any location, independent of the pipeline design.

Ultrasonic flow measurement with clamp-on sensors has been used successfully in the process industries for decades. In contrast to mechanical meters with high maintenance requirements, ultrasonic flowmeters have no moving parts. This non-intrusive measuring method, with sensors mounted directly on the pipe exterior, enables safe measurement of corrosive, abrasive, and toxic fluids regardless of their properties, such as conductivity and pressure. This makes Prosonic Flow P 500 ideal for monitoring and controlling processes in the chemical, petrochemical, oil & gas, and other industries. Moreover, in the energy and power plant sector, clamp-on measuring technology provides a cost-effective solution with unbeatable advantages, for example when retrofitting ultrasonic sensors on very large pressure lines with diameters of up to 4 meters (13 feet).

Prosonic Flow P 500 provides measurement for a wide variety of fluids, such as chemicals, liquid hydrocarbons, solvents, acids, bases, water, and many others. Along with the extensive functionality of the Proline 500 transmitter, this opens up a wide range of applications, for example quantity and volume measurement, totalizing and balancing, process monitoring, verification of previously installed flowmeters, detection of leaks between two measuring points in a large pipeline, and more.

The compact pipeline systems found in many process plants usually have numerous fittings and pipe bends. Disturbed flow profiles occur downstream of such obstacles and can impair the accuracy of a flowmeter. Prosonic Flow P 500 is the world’s first ultrasonic flowmeter able to detect and automatically compensate for effects of flow disturbance on the measuring signal via calculation. This makes it possible, for example, to maintain a consistent (specified) accuracy, even with a significant reduction in inlet runs, for example from 15 pipe diameters (DN) all the way down to 2 pipe diameters (DN). This capability provides maximum flexibility for planners and operators, particularly in situations where they need to equip or retrofit a plant with clamp-on flowmeters.

As a versatile flowmeter, the Prosonic Flow P 500 can be mounted on a wide variety of pipeline types and materials: on metal pipes made of steel or cast iron, plastic pipes, glass reinforced plastic pipes, and pipes made of composite materials—all with or without lining. A special, maintenance-free contact foil (coupling pad) provides optimum sound transmission between the sensor surface and the pipe. The resulting constantly high signal strength ensures stable measurements and high performance over many years. Depending on the line size, fluid, and pipe material, the sensors are delivered with different ultrasonic frequencies (0.3, 0.5, 1, 2, or 5 MHz) to provide maximum signal quality, and thus a high level of accuracy and repeatability.

The robust Prosonic Flow P sensors are made of stainless steel, and their IP68 (Type 6P) rating provides low-maintenance, long-term operation, making them suitable for the harsh ambient conditions in offshore and other demanding applications. They can be used at process temperatures between –40 to +170 °C (–40 to +338 °F). Due to the SIL-compliant device development (IEC 61508), Prosonic Flow P is also suited to be used in safety-related applications. Numerous approvals for hazardous areas (ATEX, IECEx, cCSAus, NEPSI, INMETRO, EAC, etc.) ensure safe operation in a broad range of applications.

Heartbeat Technology – for maximum operational safety
Heartbeat Technology is a testing function integrated into all Endress+Hauser Proline measuring devices, and it enables permanent self-diagnostics with the highest diagnostic coverage (>95%), as well as a traceable device verification, all without process interruption. Heartbeat Technology reduces risks and thus increases reliability and availability.

The Proline 500 transmitter includes a web server as standard. Using a standard Ethernet cable and a laptop, or wireless via WLAN, users have direct and easy access to all diagnostic, configuration, and device data from any device capable of hosting a web browser—such as a laptop, smartphone, or tablet—without the need to install additional software or procure hardware. This provides targeted parameterization of a measuring point, as well as time-saving commissioning, maintenance, and service.

HistoROM data storage provides maximum data security before, during, and after service. All device parameters are stored securely on the HistoROM data storage module and are automatically reloaded after maintenance work, easing spare parts installation while increasing uptime.

The Proline 500 transmitter provides a high degree of performance and accuracy. Digital signal processing begins in the intelligent sensor and is the basis for multivariable measurement. This means that Prosonic Flow P 500 can simultaneously record multiple measured values for process control—such as volume flow, flow velocity, and sound velocity—and forward these variables to a process control system. For this and other purposes, Proline 500 has three inputs and outputs. Complete access to all measurement data, including diagnostic data acquired by Heartbeat Technology, is possible at any time thanks to digital data transmission via HART or Modbus RS485, as well as via WLAN or the freely configurable inputs and outputs.

@Endress_Hauser @Endress_US @Endress_UK @Endress_CA #PAuto 

Friday, 16 April 2021

Safe Ultrasonic sensor.

Pepperl+Fuchs is expanding its product portfolio for ultrasonic sensors in the area of factory automation with the safe USi-safety US sensor system.

The innovative USi-safety ultrasonic sensor system is a modern and certified sensor technology that is used to safeguard hazard areas on mobile machines such as robots, industrial trucks, machines, and plants according to EN ISO 13849-1 category 3 PL d. The USi-safety system protects people and objects from potential dangers and collisions. This ultrasonic sensor ensures the safety of personnel and takes its place in the range of electro-sensitive protective devices.

The only ultrasonic sensor system of its kind in the world is characterized by its flexibility and wide range of applications. Up to two small, freely positionable ultrasonic sensor units can be positioned, connected, and parameterized flexibly and geometrically regardless of the electronics. The safety function is provided with only one sensor unit, i.e., without redundancy. They can be integrated in confined spaces and reliably detect moving and stationary objects with any shape, color, or surface in an elliptical, three-dimensional sound field of up to two and a half meters. Dirt, temperature, air flow, and humidity have no impact on the function of the sensor. This makes it an excellent choice for almost all applications in the industry and outdoors.

The sensor system is set up using convenient parameterization software. Each connected sensor unit comes with two short-circuit and cross-circuit-monitored OSSD safety outputs. A teach-in function for teaching in the complete detection area as a standard environment increases operational safety. This function suppresses vehicle contours that cause disturbance, for example.

@PepperlFuchs @PepperlFuchsUSA @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #Safety

Thursday, 3 December 2020

Low viscosity US flow.

FTI Flow Technology has introduced the QCT_PA12 Series of in-line liquid ultrasonic flow meters. These compact and lightweight meters are intended for use in low-viscosity liquid applications requiring excellent accuracy and reliability at an economical price point.

“The addition of the PA12 Nylon provides an option for industries that require USP Class VI-compliant materials,” said Matt Zajac, FTI Flow Technology marketing manager. “And the new advanced cross-flow design allows FTI to add 1.5-inch and 2-inch meter sizes while reducing the pressure drop in the 1-inch model.”  

The FTI QCT_PA12 Series is a cost-effect and versatile solution for measuring low-viscosity liquids in a wide range of industries, such as chemical, food & beverage, pharmaceutical, plastics, power generation, pulp & paper, semiconductor, and steel. The meters’ construction and Nylon-12 (PA12) material make them the meters of choice for many high purity and corrosive liquids. Typical applications include water treatment for boilers and cooling towers, clean-in-place (CIP) systems, mechanical seal flushing/cooling, process water, cooling loops, reverse osmosis (RO) systems, small-line injection systems, and larger DI water distribution systems and high-purity filtration systems.

High accuracy and repeatability are achieved through the unique measurement section within the QCT_PA12 Series meter where flow is conditioned and Delta T measured along the meter’s axis. The meter bases its operation on measuring the time difference of an ultrasonic wave traveling with and against the flowing medium. The time difference is directionally proportional to the fluid’s flow rate.  

The QCT_PA12 Series flow meters have non-wetted sensors, no moving parts, and there is nothing in the flow stream that will cause an obstruction to the flow path. The meter is available in sizes 1/8 inch to 2 inches, accurate to +/- 0.5 percent of reading plus zero stability, and repeatability is +/- 0.2 percent over 10:1 calibration range. It has a 0.035 to 250 GPM flow range, 14°F to 176°F (-10°C to 80°C) temperature range, and analog, scaled frequency and Modbus RTU outputs.

@FlowTechnology #Pauto 


Tuesday, 3 November 2020

Your future automation!

Pepperl+Fuchs is holding its second Online Summit which will be held on November 17–19, 2020.

The format will be conceptually similar to that of the pilot event held in July, and the focus remains "Your Future Automation" however, this event will address new sub-topics. Particular focus will be placed on the increasing integration of Operation Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT).

To reflect this focus, each day of the event will be dedicated to one of the three main subject areas. These will be presented in keynotes, presentations, and panel discussions among experts from Pepperl+Fuchs and its partner companies:

  • Driving the IIoT Revolution—Challenges, Benefits and Simple Next Steps
  • Digitalization in Service and Maintenance—Process Industry in Transition
  • Next Level of Ultrasonic Technology—Intelligent, Functionally Safe and Autonomous

A chat function will allow attendees to submit questions to be answered by the experts at Pepperl+Fuchs and its partner companies. Extra content such as technical white papers, videos, and presentations will be made available on the online platform, and further materials will be uploaded after the event. This provides attendees with added value beyond the content of the live event. To enable anyone to attend regardless of their location or time zone, all content will be provided in both German and English, and presented in both the morning and afternoon.

"We received a very positive response to our first Online Summit, so obviously we want to continue with the new digital format. Attendees can once again look forward to a wide range of subjects and exciting insights from our speakers and industry experts," comments Stefan Maus, Director Global Marketing at Pepperl+Fuchs.

Online Registration (FOC)

@mepaxIntPR @PepperlFuchs #PAuto #IIoT

Friday, 18 September 2020

Ultrasonic Imaging Camera.

FLIR has made its Si124 industrial acoustic imaging camera available for purchase globally, thus enabling customers to take advantage of the benefits of ultrasonic imaging.

Acoustic imaging, or the ability to see ultrasonic sound, has emerged as an effective method for manufacturing and utility organizations to locate compressed air leaks or the existence of partial discharge (PD). It enables professionals to conduct more frequent predictive maintenance routines, to help provide a crucial first warning of impending electrical/mechanical failure that could lead to energy loss and even worse, downtime of critical systems.

The FLIR Si124 industrial acoustic imaging camera senses, displays and records sound waves producing a precise acoustic image. The acoustic image is overlaid, in real time, onto a digital camera image all with an easy-to-use, ergonomic, one-handed camera solution weighing a little more than 2 pounds (980 grams).

The blended visual and sound image can be viewed live on screen to help users’ pinpoint issues from the sound source, helping staff identify issues up to 10 times faster than traditional inspection methods for common mechanical, electrical, vacuum and compressor systems.

Built with 124 microphones and a high definition visible-light camera, the battery-powered Si124 can detect potential issues up to 100 meters away, even in loud industrial environments, for up to seven hours of continuous use.

Pressurized Air Leaks & Partial Discharge (PD)
Two primary use cases for the Si124 include detecting compressed air leaks and partial discharge (PD) such as corona, arcing, and tracking.

Compressed air is often the single most expensive energy source in factories, but air is often lost due to undetected leaks or equipment inefficiencies. That leaked air can be difficult to detect by the human ear or touch, particularly in loud manufacturing environments where workers are required to wear hearing protection. The Si124 can solve this issue by visually pinpointing the exact source of a leak instantaneously, especially in hard to reach places that might otherwise go unnoticed.

For high-voltage electrical systems, PD can preface a catastrophic failure, creating an unsafe environment and potential unplanned downtime. The Si124 provides the ability to perform quick non-contact inspections from a safe distance. The system then immediately provides the PD type, allowing users to prioritize repairs.

Take Action with Wi-Fi and Onboard Analytics
What sets the Si124 further apart from other cameras is the FLIR Acoustic Camera Viewer cloud service. Image captures are quickly uploaded over Wi-Fi to the cloud service then immediately analyzed, providing the user in-depth information such as the size and energy cost of a compressed air leak or the PD classification and pattern of an electric fault. This information is accessible on the Si124 and through the online cloud portal. In addition, users get 8 GBs of storage and wireless data transfer capabilities, making sharing photos and data simple and efficient.

@flir #PAuto #MEpax

Friday, 20 March 2020

Titanium-housed for US flow meters.

The Daniel™ T-200 is a titanium-housed transducer, for Emerson's gas ultrasonic flow meter product line, marking the first use of metal 3D printing to enhance the acoustic performance of ultrasonic flow meters in custody transfer applications. The T-200’s robust design provides increased reliability, uptime and safety while achieving the highest accuracy class attainable in gas measurement.

In an ultrasonic flow meter, transducers generate acoustic signals that are sent back and forth across the fluid stream. The difference in the transit times of these signals is used to determine the fluid flow velocity. Signal quality and strength are critical to measurement accuracy, which is paramount in custody transfer applications. An error of only 0.1% can equate to hundreds of thousands of euros annually in a large diameter high pressure pipeline.

“The T200’s mini-horn array could not be made without metal 3D printing technology, making it transformational to the sound quality and performance achievable through a titanium barrier,” said Kerry Groeschel, director of ultrasonic technology, Emerson. “Emerson is committed to developing innovative solutions that help our customers achieve safer, more efficient operations.”

The meter’s all-metal housing provides a barrier from corrosive hydrocarbon fluids and wet gas, thereby extending the life of transducer components and ensuring stable performance. This unique design allows the meter to be hydrotested with transducers in place, steam cleaned while in the operating line and blown down with no limits on the rate at which the meter can be depressurised.

The T-200 can also be safely extracted while the meter is under pressure without special high-pressure extraction tools, which reduces the possibility of greenhouse gas emissions during extraction. The capsule which contains the piezoelectric crystal used to produce ultrasonic sound waves is retractable as a single piece for simplicity and ease of use.

The new design is rated for a wide range of operating conditions, including pressures from 1 bar gauge (barg)/103 Kilopascal (kPa) to 255 barg/25,855 kPa and temperatures from -50 to 125 degrees Celsius.

#Pauto @DanielFlowNews @EMR_Automation @Emerson_News @HHC_Lewis

Thursday, 13 February 2020

Robust US flowmeter.

This robust ultrasonic gas flowmeter has integrated pressure and temperature sensors to provide a wide array of highly accurate measured and calculated values.

The Proline Prosonic Flow G 300/500 flowmeter has been launched by Endress+Hauser. This instrument can be supplied with either of two different transmitters: as a compact version (Proline 300), or as a remote version (Proline 500) with up to four inputs and outputs. These inputs and outputs provide flexibility with the ability to output not only flow, but also pressure, temperature, and numerous other process variables.

This flowmeter is ideal for demanding applications, measuring both dry and wet gases with high precision (±0.5%), unmatched repeatability, and high reliability—even when process and ambient conditions fluctuate significantly.

Robust industrial design makes it possible to operate the flowmeters long term without maintenance, saving time and money. The meter operates at process temperatures up to 150 °C (302 °F) and pressures up to 100 bar (1450 psi) and can be ordered with built-in pressure and temperature sensors. The input from these sensors can be combined with the measured sound velocity to calculate additional gas properties, often important for process control.

An optional “Extended Gas Analysis” function package is available for special applications and to meet process control requirements. Depending on the selected gas type (pure gases, gas mixtures, coal gas, natural gas, customer-specific gases, etc.), this function enables the calculation of additional parameters and process variables. Some examples are volume flow, corrected volume flow, mass flow, energy flow, calorific value, Wobbe index, gas type, molar mass, methane content (%), and density or viscosity.

A very high degree of robustness is realized because all wetted parts are made of stainless steel, and the flowmeter provides compliance with the stringent requirements of NACE MR0175/MR0103. The meter’s ultrasound transducers are available in titanium Grade 2.

The Prosonic Flow G measuring system has been developed in accordance with IEC 61508 (SIL), making it suitable for use in many safety-related applications. It also has Heartbeat Technology integrated into the flowmeter, like all Proline measuring devices, which enables permanent self-diagnostics with the highest diagnostic coverage, as well as a TÜV-certified and metrologically traceable device verification without process interruption.

The flowmeter transmitter includes a web server as a standard, enabling direct data from any connected device capable of hosting a web browser. The flowmeters unique data storage concept (HistoROM) ensures maximum data security before, during, and after service.

#PAuto @Endress_US @Endress_Hauser @Endress_UK

Monday, 9 September 2019

Accurate Flow Measurement for Natural Gas Custody Transfer.

Reduce installation costs by accommodating compact piping designs while providing superior measurement accuracy in custody transfer applications.

Emerson has introduced the Daniel 3418 Eight-Path Gas Ultrasonic Flow Meter, which delivers highly accurate flow measurement in natural gas custody transfer applications with reduced upstream piping requirements and without flow conditioning. The Daniel 3418 compensates for flow distortions that result from pipe bends, shorter straight runs or smaller design footprints, allowing it to operate in more design configurations without sacrificing accuracy and long-term performance.

“The addition of this new model further supports our customers with the most technologically advanced fiscal measurement ultrasonic portfolio in the marketplace, yielding the highest level of measurement confidence available,” said Lonna Dickenson, director of product marketing for Daniel ultrasonic flow meter products at Emerson.

It is the first ultrasonic flow meter to pass all perturbation tests for OIML R-137 Accuracy Class 0.5 with only five pipe diameters in front of the meter and without a flow conditioner.  It features eight interlocked direct chordal paths, positioned as two British Gas path layouts where the second is the mirror image of the first, allowing the meter to cancel out asymmetrical velocity effects. This design enables the meter to measure flow with greater resolution and accurately calculate swirl, reducing the need for flow conditioning and long upstream piping configurations.

As a part of the Daniel Gas Ultrasonic product line, the 3418 features the ability to calculate standard flow and directly integrate with temperature and pressure transmitters, gas chromatographs and flow computers while providing real-time meter and process diagnostics. The 3418 uses Emerson’s proprietary MeterLink diagnostic software with specific enhancements designed to mimic the look and feel of the original Daniel four-path gas ultrasonic meter interface.

Available in sizes DN250 to DN1050 (10 in to 42 in), the Daniel 3418 offers bidirectional flow capabilities, increased flow capacity and no incremental pressure drop, therefore reducing measurement risk and minimising operating cost.

#PAuto @EMR_Automation @Emerson_News @HHC_Lewis