Ultrasonic Flowmeter – A Complete Guide

The ultrasonic flowmeter uses the principle of transit time to help in measuring the velocity of the fluid.  BSCT manufactures several products; an ultrasonic flowmeter is one of them.

Below, the detailed FAQs related to the working and installation of the ultrasonic flowmeter. All the answers stated here which being a user you might be looking for. It will help you while working with an Ultrasonic flowmeter.

What is an Ultrasonic flowmeter?

The ultrasonic flowmeter is the meter through which the velocity of the liquid can be measured. It is done through ultrasound so that the volume of the flowing liquid is easy to analyze. It requires bubbles or some particles during the flowing liquid.

Ultrasonic flowmeter doesn’t work correctly with distilled water. However, it is suitable for applications where the compatibility with the chemical, maintenance, and pressure level is low. These kinds of flowmeters are affected by the audio characteristics of the liquid, along with the density and temperature. The moving parts are not in the ultrasonic flowmeter.

How does the Ultrasonic flowmeter work?

Ultrasonic flowmeter works based on how the sound waves are used and analyzed. These signals keep flowing with the liquid through transducers. Thus, it helps contact the liquid internally, or those transducers through the ultrasound are sent in the pipe externally.

This ultrasonic flowmeter uses these transducers for receiving and transmitting as well. The ultrasonic flowmeter keeps working simultaneously so that the transit time can be measured. In both directions, the sound can be travel as well. The difference calculated in transit time directly relates to the speed of the liquid flowing in the pipe.

How to use an ultrasonic flowmeter?

 

You can use an ultrasonic flowmeter during the measurement of the velocity of the liquids. It helps in passing the ultrasonic waves through water, chemical, or liquids, which are cryogenic. The designs of transit time are available for measuring the gas and flow of the vapor.

In an ultrasonic flowmeter, the opaque fluids have limited ultrasonic waves. Its penetration is very close to the walls of the pipes. Therefore, it decreases the accuracy, and the ultrasonic flowmeter fails in measurement. The operations of the ultrasonic flowmeter don’t work properly when dealing the dense liquids as it makes the ultrasonic waves weak. Later, it is unable to reach the receiver.

What are the types of ultrasonic flowmeters?

There are three main types of ultrasonic flowmeter you can use are:

• Doppler flowmeter: in this ultrasonic flowmeter, the Doppler Effect is used to change the sounds traveling from the moving to the stationary location. For working, an ultrasonic flowmeter requires the air bubble to be present to start the operations.

• Transit time flowmeter: this type of ultrasonic flowmeter helps you to calculate the velocity calculated through the time carried by the signals. These signals are traveled in the two sensors. It all depends on which mode the sensors are placed in.

• Clamp-on flowmeter: there are two types of clamp-on flowmeters depends on the kind of installation done. The first one is inline, where the device is being mounted in the pipeline system, and the second one is a clamp-on flowmeter, a portable device connected with the outside of the pipe.

 

What are the advantages of an ultrasonic flowmeter?

There are several advantages of using an ultrasonic flowmeter are as follows:

• No path of the flowing liquid is blocked
• The liquid flows in two directions
• It conserves the energy
• It is suitable for measuring a large amount of flowing liquid
• There is a risk regarding the leakage
• Its accuracy rate is high
• There is no contact with the liquid
• The output is in analog form
• No moving parts in the ultrasonic flowmeter
• no loss of pressure
• it also conserves the energy
• it is suitable for  hazardous liquids
• different models are also available, operated from battery

What are the limitations faced during the use of ultrasonic flowmeters?

Along with the advantages, there are some limitations you can face while using an ultrasonic flowmeter. They are below:

• It depends on the condition of the flowing liquid, like the length of the straight pipes.
• The requirement of pipe flowing should be full.
• Coatings are externally, or liners inside might cause problems in the functionality of the ultrasonic flowmeter
• Pipes with small diameter are not suitable for ultrasonic flowmeter
• Heavy flows affect the quality of the signal along with the readings
• Some applications whose velocity is low might not be appropriate for ultrasonic flowmeter
• it becomes sensitive along with the changes of the temperature

How to install the ultrasonic flowmeter?

To start ultrasonic flowmeter installation, you need to note the piping requirements. The place considered ideal is the section should be straight for the pipe and the distance of diameters of 10 pipes before and after the sensor 5 pipe diameters. Keep checking that the sound wave is easily transmitted even the liquid is dense.

If there is a clamp observed on the sensor, the signal must have strength in passing through the pipe of the wall. The ultrasonic flowmeter calibration is required at this stage by the manufacturers to meet the default conditions for the suitable medium. (Fuel. oil, gas, or water)

What is the working principle of an ultrasonic flowmeter?

The construction of the ultrasonic flowmeter is done through the transducers, placed upstream and downstream. It also has a sensor pipe and reflector. The working principle of an ultrasonic flowmeter is sound waves are being used to resolve the velocity of the pipe liquid.

The frequency increases along with the quicker flow of the liquid, which processes the signals from the transmitter, and you can receive the ultrasonic waves in multiple directions in the pipe. When there is no flow, the upstream and downstream time is the same as among the transducers. The rate of flow is decided through the transmitter, processed upstream and downstream.

Which industries use ultrasonic flowmeters?

The ultrasonic flowmeter is commonly used in oil and gas industries and used in different industries like chemical, beverages, food, metal, paper, food, and beverages, and water waste industries. The applications of dirty water also use ultrasonic flowmeters. You can monitor flowing water through an ultrasonic flowmeter.

It is a unique kind of flowmeter that measures the flow of liquids as well as gases. It is also helpful in generating power. Due to the features of ultrasonic flowmeter, its demand is increasing in the market of different countries. Food processing industries are also using ultrasonic flowmeters now.

 What are the reasons for selecting an ultrasonic flowmeter?

There are two significant reasons for the selection of ultrasonic flowmeter are as follows:

• The installation process is easy: the most significant advantage of using an ultrasonic flowmeter is the ease of installation. According to the location, few sections need straight pipes, and for installation and maintenance for these processes no need to stop the whole system.
• Required maintenance is low: There is no blade for wearing out located in the turbine meters for replacement. Nor there are electrodes as it gets rotten in magnetic flowmeters. So, the cost is low in installation and maintenance processes.

 How accurate is an ultrasonic flowmeter?

There is some uncertainty from 1% to 3% of the value measured for measuring the volumetric flow. It is dependent on the specification of the ultrasonic flowmeter. Some are very accurate, and the minimum rate to calculate the flow is 0.03 ft/second. You can find it sufficient for detecting the leakages.

There are no moving parts in the ultrasonic flowmeter, so the interference is minimum in the flow path. It results in delivering highly accurate data. Even on one pipe, you can install more than one ultrasonic flowmeter for receiving accurate measurements. The accuracy might get affected by the air which exists in the pipe.

 What kind of liquids are measured by ultrasonic flowmeter?

The ultrasonic flowmeter measures a massive range of liquids includes:

• wastewater in the sewage
• corrosive liquids
• liquids abrasive along with the solids which are suspended in it
• water used for irrigation
• slurries
• liquids related to petroleum
• sulfur in a molten state
• chemicals and liquids in cryogenic processes
• corrosive liquids
• water present on the surface
• portable water

There are some solid particles found in the slurry, might create a difference in the velocity measurement. You must be careful while using the ultrasonic flowmeter as the solid particles in slurry applications produce strong signals. It might also cause the ultrasonic flowmeter to measure the velocity of the particles, not the fluid’s velocity in the pipe.

How is velocity calculated on an ultrasonic flowmeter?

The ultrasonic flowmeter is a kind of flowmeter that measures the fluid velocity through ultrasound for calculating the volume of the flow. It is easy for the ultrasonic flowmeter to measure the velocity by the beam emitted by the ultrasound through the transducers. It is the average difference of the transit time measured through the pulses of the ultrasound.

It spreads along with the direction of the flow or through the frequency shift measurement by the Doppler effect. The transit times help calculate the total velocity of the fluid and the speed of the sound.

 How is the working on ultrasonic clamp-on flowmeter?

The ultrasonic clamp-on flowmeter works on the principle of transit time. It means that the difference in the transit time is between the transmitter and receiver. The two sensors attached help in measuring this time. These sensors are fitted outside the pipe to receive the ultrasonic pulses through the wall of the pipe.

Sometimes, the liquid or gas flowing in the pipe can cause differences in time; deviations in the frequency and phase might get separated. These all factors are being evaluated by this type of ultrasonic flowmeter, and the received measurement is highly reliable. The actual concept is that the current flowing with the sound waves is faster.

 What is the velocity range of is ultrasonic flowmeter?

Through an ultrasonic flowmeter, you can measure the rate of the flow. It is dependent on the measurements of the velocity published by the manufacturers. Ultrasonic flowmeter works on a particular range of velocity. It doesn’t depend on the temperature of the gas, pressure, or any kind of composition.

According to the mentioned guidelines, the limit of the velocity range is from 3ft/sec to 70 ft/second.  The pressure range might affect the configuring of the meter as some different transducers do exist, which are specific to the pressure difference.

 Does an ultrasonic flowmeter require calibration?

Ultrasonic flowmeter uses the principle of transit time where some type of calibration is required. Every meter has different calibration and during the shipment process before delivering to the customer. The new calibrated ultrasonic flowmeter measures the accuracy while comparing the flow rate provided as a reference to the flow rate present in the system. It is the rate where the single flow.

If the calibration is taking place properly, then the factors affecting the ultrasonic flowmeter are decreased. An individual ultrasonic flowmeter will work according to the specifications and standards mentioned.

 Companies, best in manufacturing ultrasonic flowmeters in UK?

UK is among the top manufacturers of ultrasonic flowmeters across the globe. They deliver ultrasonic flowmeters in different parts of the world. Instruthinkis among those who bring new technology for measuring the velocity of liquids in the full pipes.  It is a professional service provider in terms of flowing instruments, including an ultrasonic flowmeter.

It helps in measuring the liquid and is easy to install. The product quality is monitor strictly. The hardworking team of BSCT is always available to develop and manufacture new products to bring to the market. For many years we are forex trading multiple ranges of products and instruments.

 Can ultrasonic flowmeter measure gas?

The ultrasonic flowmeter is a type of flowmeter that measures fluids depending on the ultrasound or the Doppler effect. It delivers accurate results and doesn’t reply to external factors like the temperature or pressure of the medium. Instead, a beam of ultrasound is transmitted through the transducer and received by the other transducer.

You can handle the different levels of the gases through the ultrasonic flowmeter very easily. It is necessary for measuring the volume of the gases for distribution or consumption purposes. The accuracy rate of the ultrasonic flowmeter is high, ensuring that the gas is safe and feasible in multiple applications.

How is the maintenance of the ultrasonic flowmeter done?

In some ultrasonic flowmeters, a clamp-on design is available through which the components can be accessed and removed without facing any difficulty. They can also be repaired quickly, depending on the location of the ultrasonic flowmeter. Sometimes, it might need the tasks related to maintenance and is easily manageable for various businesses.

It might require few procedures ultrasonic flowmeter, placed internally to access the pipe. Every feature regarding maintenance is dependent on the fluids flowing in the pipe.  You must be careful while handling the dirty water as don’t deal with it if you don’t have experience of it.

 How is the output display in the ultrasonic flowmeter?

The ultrasonic flowmeter is used for monitoring, measuring, and checking the thickness of the fluids. In an ultrasonic flowmeter, the ultrasonic waves present in the medium are dependent on the flow rate. Two sensors are mounted in opposite directions to the transmitter, and the receiver works in a parallel direction and measures the rates with the microprocessor usage.

The ultrasonic flowmeter is consists of a digital display and output display. The meter circuit is in the device to see the flow rate on the first line of the output display. The analog output is also used in further proceeding the signals.

 What are the basic specifications of an ultrasonic flowmeter?

Ultrasonic flowmeter helps measure the light-weighted fluids such as wastewater. The specifications of ultrasonic flowmeters differ from one manufacturer to another. But, here some general specifications of ultrasonic flowmeter are mentioned below:

Range of the flow	It should be between 0.01-20m/sec (in two directions)
Level of accuracy	+-0.5 to 3%of the reading shown
Size of the pipe	12.7-7600 mm
Temperature to operate on the transmitter	-10C to 50C
Temperature to operate on the transducer	-40C to 200C
Output	In pulses from 4-20mA
Power supply	The battery is built-in along with the input of 12V
Weight of the control unit	From 3lbs to 5lbs (1-2 kg)

 Is an ultrasonic flowmeter portable?

The portable ultrasonic flowmeter is also one type of ultrasonic flowmeter. It is readily available for purchase and rental purposes. It can measure the pipes whose diameter is from 12 to 8000 mm, and different accessories are associated with it. It has energy kits, thick gauges, ultrasonic, transducers of high temperature, and cables for the signal output. There are different ranges of portable ultrasonic flowmeters, and each one has unique features. It depends on your needs and the requirements of the project.  All of them have an easy setup process to record the reading. It is the perfect choice for the measurement of the flow.

 What is the transit time ultrasonic flowmeter?

The function of the ultrasonic flowmeter’s transit time is sending and receiving the sound waves through the transducers. It travels in both directions of the pipe upstream and downstream. If the speed of the flowing liquid is fast, the difference between the transducers also increases. You can measure the difference that exists in the transit times in the same way.

It helps in calculating the fluid flowing in the pipe. This kind of ultrasonic flowmeter gives more accurate results and is more reasonable than the doppler ones. It is used in treating water plants and for irrigation purposes as well.

 What are the troubleshooting issues in the ultrasonic flowmeter?

The ultrasonic flowmeter faces some troubleshooting issues, and these are as follows:

• blowing of strong wind
• presence of the foam
• disorder in the ultrasonic flowmeter
• flowing of slug
• the sidewall of the primary device echos
• cross-talking of the signals
• the leakage of the signals if the cables get merged with another
• drifting of the sensor
• errors on the display screen if the gas bubbles are more than 10% in the liquid
• If the reading of the flow meter in the start and ultrasonic flowmeter shows the negative reading, It means the flow is running in the backward direction.
• If the output is not transmitting; then the connections need to be verified

 What is the turndown ratio of an ultrasonic flowmeter?

The range of any instrument is called its turndown ratio. It is the ratio of measurement between the maximum and minimum capacity. Although there is no particular value of the flow, you can consider the application’s total. It will help you in determining the highest and lowest values of the flow.

If there is consistency in the flow value, it might not measure during the flowmeter selection. In calculating the flow, the turndown ratio indicates the flow range and how the ultrasonic flowmeter will measure the accuracy. The turndown ratio of the ultrasonic flowmeter is 250:1.

 Units In measuring in ultrasonic flowmeter?

Flow is the volume of the liquid that passes in a particular unit of time. You can measure it in cubic feet per second in water resources, gallons per minute, cubic meters per second, or different units for the measurement. The measurement in ultrasonic flowmeter is a significant variety of applications, like controlling the system, designing and billing it. Under the steady conditions in which time is constant, the water flows from one corner to another. The equation made is that the velocity of the fluid flowing multiplied with the pipe area gives the flow measurement.

 What is the response time of the ultrasonic flowmeter?

In an ultrasonic flowmeter, the transducers are in the clamp-on design. It helps detect the flow rate from the outer portion, and these are critical parts and never ignore this at any cost. You need to measure the response time Along with the accuracy rate of the ultrasonic flowmeter, which is also an essential factor.

The response is as fast as just one second.  The users can also configure the response time range from 0 to 999 seconds. It has a significant impact on other features as well. It helps in making it more reliable for the applications.

 How does an ultrasonic flowmeter handle the pressure drop?

The ultrasonic flowmeter is the perfect choice for the application wherever pressure drops or less maintenance is needed. It handles the pressure perfectly. The pressure changes help in determining the velocity of the flow. The flow rate is directly proportional to the pressure drop, which is between upstream and downstream.

There is no moving in the ultrasonic flowmeter and use in the applications of the industries. You can analyze the sensors of the pressure are increase around the walls of the ultrasonic flowmeter. It helps in performing and calculating the frequency and amplitude caused due to fluctuation.

 What is the Doppler Effect in an ultrasonic flowmeter?

Doppler ultrasonic flowmeter works through the Doppler Effect. This flowmeter requires the air bubbles to operate. Two transducers found one is the emitter (the source of signal), and the other is the receiver. The transducer is the emitter, produce and forward the impulses of ultrasound. It is reflected from the bubbles and keeps changing the ultrasonic waves.

It depends on the velocity and signals are received again by the receiver. This device helps in determining the speed of the whole flow so you can analyze the entire process. The whole concept of the Doppler Effect is around the sound waves’ changes from the objects that are moving to the still position.

Final thought:

Instruthinkis the manufacturers of ultrasonic flowmeter designed so that it is easy to install in a particular location. You can use it for measuring the flow for long-term purposes. If you face any queries related to the ultrasonic flowmeter, directly call us on +44 7700 307784, or you can even email our teammates at sales@instruthink.com.  We will satisfy you with our personalized services.

No matter you are an end-user or belong to any engineering company. Your satisfaction is our top priority.