Benchmark in ultrasonic gas flow meters
While the traditional approach has been to cater for a range of liquid to gas flow metering with a single transducer technology, Flexim has developed a specific technology to cater for the accurate and reliable ultrasonic flow measurement of gases over a wide turndown ration.
The Fluxus G series is available from local distributor Peter Jones Electronic Equipment, which falls under the Actum Industrial division of the Actum Group. The group is a specialist distributor of niche electronics products for high-end industries and applications that has diversified into mining, general industry and a range of other sectors.
Robert Howes, technical sales manager at Peter Jones, explains that the Fluxus G series of gas flow meters is available as either portable or permanent versions. Applications are wide-ranging, from gas exploration to transportation and storage, as well as industrial processing.
“The critical criteria of any gas flow meter are accuracy and reliability,” comments Howes. Flexim’s ultrasonic transducers are specifically matched and paired, and therefore guarantee a high zero stability, as well as high precision at low-flow velocities.
With more than 1 000 measurement cycles a second and superior measurement algorithms embedded in the flow computer, together with the fact that the transducers are calibrated in-house or directly at the measurement point, means that Flexim’s clamp-on systems are not less accurate than inline gas flowmeters, but much more reliable, as they do not suffer from wear and tear inside the pipe,” explains Howes.
By integrating additional process parameters such as pressure and temperature as well as the individual gas coefficients, Fluxus G gas flow meters can measure the mass flow rate as well as operational and standard volume flows, all with the highest precision.
The Fluxus G704, for example, is a gas flow meter for permanent installation in nearly any gas flow metering application. Its non-intrusive measurement technology ensures a precise bi-directional, highly dynamic gas flow measurement of operational and standard volume flows.
As the transducers are mounted on the outside of the pipe wall in rugged mounting fixtures, the system does not suffer from wear and tear or clogging. In addition, there is no risk of leaks or any pressure drops inside the pipe.
Due to its matched and paired transducers, as well as the internal temperature compensation (compliant to ANSI/ASME), the measurement system is drift-free and zero-stable, ensuring accurate readings. Moreover, as the transducer calibration data is loaded automatically by connecting the transducer to the transmitter, set-up times are reduced and precise, long-term stable results can be produced.
The gas flow meter can be applied at inner pipe diameters ranging from 10 mm up to 1100 mm, with no limitations on pipe wall thickness or material, and pipe wall temperatures from –40 °C up to 100 °C. Moreover, the measurement system is independent of the pressure inside the pipe.
With up to two measurement channels, the Fluxus G permanent gas flow meter can also be applied to difficult measurement points. It is completely unaffected by gas density, viscosity and composition, as well as dust and humidity. Even wet gas up to liquid volume fractions of 5% can be measured. Furthermore, with its wide range of electrical inputs and outputs, the G704 gas flow meter can handle a variety of process parameters within gas flow metering applications.
The Fluxus G704 gas flow meter is also available in an ATEX / IECEx Zone 2 / FM Class I Division 2 approved version, allowing its usage in hazardous areas. Flexim also offers gas flow meters specifically for ATEX Zone 1 environments, such as the Fluxus G800 and Fluxus G801 (for offshore usage).
“Maintenance efforts are kept to an absolute minimum as these ultrasonic gas flow meters are designed and engineered for specific industry requirements,” elaborates Howes. These range from standard industrial applications up to robust measuring solutions for offshore usage in hazardous areas.
Both the transmitters and the ultrasonic transducers are protected against rough environments by stainless steel mounting fixtures (Variofix), as well as steel armoured cables running from the transducers to the flow computer. The transducers themselves never lose contact with the pipe wall due to special coupling pads, which also eliminates any need for regreasing.
Ends
Notes to the Editor
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About the Actum Group
The Actum Group has diversified to become a leading importer and distributor of components, instrumentation, automation and industrial products. The original business, Actum Electronics, has been operating since the 1970s and was originally an importer and distributor of electronic components. More recently, four businesses have been acquired to form the Actum Group. These are Altico, Connecta, Peter Jones Electronic Equipment and Dowson & Dobson Industrial.
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