Flow meters are a critical component in numerous utility, manufacturing and health facilities throughout the world. A manufacturing plant or other facility highly dependent upon measuring the volume or mass flow of a fluid within a pipe or channel knows how important a flow meter is to the entire operation. The same holds true for a medical facility as peak flow meters are used to help monitor a body's functionality, especially in regards to asthma. In the former case, a flow meter ensures safety when using a variety of measurable fluids or liquids ¾ in the latter case, this is also true, but lung function, the intake and outtake of air, is being measured. And a utility or a company with a liquid piping system will, sooner or later, use a water flow meter to measure the water or liquids mass and speed as it travels through the structure.

There are numerous flow meter categorizations. For example, a magnetic flowmeter, or a magmeter, can be used in any number of environments due to their versatility. These devices measure liquid velocity. Even after installation, a magmeter's measurement specifics can be easily altered to suit changing needs.

Within a waste water system, measurement of streams at the flume, which is the last device in line directly before the pumping station, must be exact for environmental compliance laws. The measurement occurs through a Parshall flume. Methods to ensure accuracy include placing artificial barriers in the pipe, if room is available. Or, rebuild the inlet box on the flow meter itself. Another method is to install an ultrasonic level transmitter to measure the water's height directly in the throat of the flume. Many transmitters already have flume calibration charts included.

Also to be considered, especially for chemical plant operations, would be a HART-enabled software. These devices do cost extra but can offer maintenance savings, efficient and accurate recordkeeping (i.e., OSHA, FDA) as well as productivity gains. Field devices can be configured and calibrated after they have been installed and such minimizes errors and commissioning time. HART field devices enables a tighter process formula control, meaning your raw material use is optimized. Plus, every output from a HART device also offers diagnostic information for a check on faulty equipment. Currently there are about 40 to 45 million field devices installed throughout the world, of which about half are analog and one-fourth are HART.

Your operation is highly dependent upon the accuracy and reliability of many components. Understanding all of the flow meter options available will assist your operation's safety, productivity and, ultimately, your business success.

Written by Hartley G. Lesser for Sierra Instruments