Flow transmitters provide electrical outputs that are proportional to flow inputs. They use flow meters to measure the flow of liquids and gases. Flow transmitters output analog voltages, analog currents, frequencies and pulses. Analog voltage outputs are simple, usually linear, functions of the measurement. They are continuous rather than pulsed or discrete. Analog current outputs are suitable for sending signals over long distances. They include current loops such as 4 – 20 mA and use...
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Q & A on Flow Transmitters
We asked our users for their input on Flow Transmitters. Here are the results of 66 users familiar with Flow Transmitters.
Who Took Our Poll? | Design Trends | Applications and Use | Features | Buying AdviceDesign TrendsTop
What new technologies are influencing flow transmitter design?
9 answers
I am interested in trying out a Thermal Dispersion type unit, but my company so far does not want to change technologies. Smart transmitters are great, but the engineer must be smarter than the transmitter, since too many options or parameters to set up slows installation and opens the way for errors. Keep it simple to set up in the field!
~Jim B, Engineer, New Waterford, OH
Simultaneous Level and Velocity measurements for Open Channel Flow transmitter.
~Technical Support/Services, Edmonton, Canada
In measuring sensor, it's gonna be Ultrasonic and Coriolis. In transmitting signals, it's gonna be any Fieldbus Protocols.
~Technical Support, Bandung, Indonesia
New protocols, multivarable, complete flow solutions (including primary elements).
~Project Manager, Burlington, Canada
Ultrasonic flowmeters
conditional orifices
v-cone meters
~Engineering, Design, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Wireless PLC applications
~Tim Larson, Engineer, Tallahassee, FL
Rosemont, Onicon
~Bob B, Engineer, Denver, CO
Sensors
~Rod B, Maintenance supervisor, Mosel bay, South Africa
Design
~Shahzad Zafar, Supervisor, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
From your perspective, which companies are creating the most innovative flow transmitters?
10 answers
Since we are not utilizing cutting edge tech nor do we require extreme accuracy, I have not been keeping in tune with the latest innovations - unless a simpler, cost efficient method catches my eye. From my perspective on cost vs utility, I would recommend Yokogawa and Azbil. For specialty mass flow, Coriolis, Micromotion has served us well, E&H, Rosemount are also great, but tend to price themselves out of the small industrial applications market.
~Jim B, Engineer, New Waterford, OH
In my point of view, there's 4 or 5 companies which are leading, such as Emerson, Endress Hauser, etc..
~Marketing/Sales, Montluel, France
ABB & Emerson
~Project Manager, Burlington, Canada
Looking for a company that provides a reliable, real-time Open-Channel flow measurement. (Simultaneous Level and Velocity measurements)
~Technical Support/Services, Edmonton, Canada
Endress Hauser
~Technical Support, Bandung, Indonesia
FLUENTA Emerson
~Engineering, Design, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Endress hauser
~Shahzad Zafar, Supervisor, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Rosemount
~Rod B, Maintenance supervisor, Mosel bay, South Africa
Kobold
~Barry M, Design Engineer, Woodbury Hts., NJ
Dwyer
~Tim Larson, Engineer, Tallahassee, FL
Applications and UseTop
What are some of the applications you have used a flow transmitter for?
14 answers
Pulp and paper, Water industry (wastewater and drinking water ). These are the most important, but we also use this technology for various type of applications (aqueous paint, food industry, etc ...)
~Marketing/Sales, Montluel, France
Combustion systems & temperature control, utility flows, process controls, acidic fluid flow/density control, polymer dosing systems, batch measuring, load/unload systems, powder transport.
~Jim B, Engineer, New Waterford, OH
To measure the flow downstream of various chemical injection skids to trip upstream valves on low flow.
~Engineering, Design, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Measuring Flow Rate for Process to be used as PV for the Process Controller.
~Technical Support, Bandung, Indonesia
Level control, chemical feed rates, thermal flows, process balance
~Bob B, Engineer, Denver, CO
Linear motors cooling, cutting fluid flow regulation.
~Louis Jette, Design Engineer, Granby, Canada
Open Channel Flow, Sludge/Slurry Flow, Bio Gas Flow.
~Technical Support/Services, Edmonton, Canada
Remediation systems (Cleanup of contaminated sites).
~Tim Larson, Engineer, Tallahassee, FL
All possible types of gas flows, liquids, steam, etc...
~Rod B, Maintenance supervisor, Mosel bay, South Africa
Water cooled crucible for molten metal.
~Barry M, Design Engineer, Woodbury Hts., NJ
Hydrocarbons flow measurement.
~Shahzad Zafar, Supervisor, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
All liquids, gases and steam.
~Project Manager, Burlington, Canada
Oil & gas flow measurement
~Ilgar G, Engineer, Baku, Azerbaijan
River water flow
~Engineering, Faculty/Staff/Student, Nagda, India
Please share with us any “non-standard” applications that a flow transmitter has been used for.
5 answers
A flowmeter to evaluate the flow of "solid parts" such as apples or nuts, water is used to wash and carry the fruits. The accuracy is not very good, but it gives an idea.
~Marketing/Sales, Montluel, France
High Pressure & high temperature service like asphalt , bitumen.
~Project Manager, Burlington, Canada
PD meter used for petrol measurement..
~Shahzad Zafar, Supervisor, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Flow Transmitter that's used to measure mass flow, without having the fixture & sensor to do that.
~Technical Support, Bandung, Indonesia
Most of my experience is with standard applications, but the fluids are corrosive.
~Jim B, Engineer, New Waterford, OH
Do you know of any disastrous mistakes that occurred due to the incorrect usage of a flow transmitter?
7 answers
We haven't had any major disasters, but we have had some destroyed with wrong voltage, and had some dissolve from wrong materials selection, and a few that didn't fit the process connections because of miscommunications.
~Jim B, Engineer, New Waterford, OH
Mostly over sized using 1000" H20 sensor range on 50 or 100" H20. Using remote seals when they are not required.
~Project Manager, Burlington, Canada
A flowmeter for a cooling system which gives 2 times the real flow, it was because the flowmeter was partly filled.
~Marketing/Sales, Montluel, France
The measuring method of the flow transmitter used. Installation Integration with the Control System
~Technical Support, Bandung, Indonesia
Resetting the electronic flow rate and receiving the wrong flow data.
~Barry M, Design Engineer, Woodbury Hts., NJ
Incorrect location.............................
~Bob B, Engineer, Denver, CO
Selection
~Shahzad Zafar, Supervisor, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
FeaturesTop
What would your design or feature "wish list" be for this product?
9 answers
For all products, please make available the technical documentation online for the engineers and installers. Hard to navigate websites and lack of information has forced me to avoid considering some brands. We have minimal design time and may need to get the information at a remote international jobsite, which rules out phoning the representatives or awaiting email response.
~Jim B, Engineer, New Waterford, OH
Compact, Less requirement in installing new one, to reduce down time. Compatible with any other process controller without have to adding new softwares/Hardwares. Have an option to enable two signal sent such as mA and pulse without adding new power adapters.
~Technical Support, Bandung, Indonesia
A multi parameter flowmeter that can transmit temperature, conductivity, flow etc... and a flowmeter with a remote wireless transmitter.
~Marketing/Sales, Montluel, France
Output, communication, local indication, function, calibration, design.
~Shahzad Zafar, Supervisor, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Easy selection and easy set up, higher TD.
~Project Manager, Burlington, Canada
Compact, wide range, fieldbus output.
~Louis Jette, Design Engineer, Granby, Canada
Auto calibration checks
~Rod B, Maintenance supervisor, Mosel bay, South Africa
More durability
~Tim Larson, Engineer, Tallahassee, FL
Smaller
~Barry M, Design Engineer, Woodbury Hts., NJ
Is there any advice you want to share with users to help them avoid common errors in selection or usage of a flow transmitter?
7 answers
Use the engineering data of the process and environment characteristic as the most Important things before selecting any. Make sure the control system is compatible with your selection.
~Technical Support, Bandung, Indonesia
Using magnehelic gauges in the SE USA (high humidity conditions) will likely limit life cycle. Makes replacement more likely.
~Tim Larson, Engineer, Tallahassee, FL
Yes. Check your spec, check your quotes to see if they meet your requirements, and if in doubt, talk with the vendor.
~Jim B, Engineer, New Waterford, OH
Before buying, give as much detail as possible to your supplier (ex. medium an also what is around the flowmeter).
~Marketing/Sales, Montluel, France
Over size , large sensor range, use MV for best accuracy & TD.
~Project Manager, Burlington, Canada
Location location location.............................
~Bob B, Engineer, Denver, CO
Media
~Shahzad Zafar, Supervisor, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Buying AdviceTop
Do you have any advice for people relative to buying or using flow transmitters?
5 answers
Be sure of the range that is needed and the compatibility of flow stream.
~Tim Larson, Engineer, Tallahassee, FL
Understand the manufacturer data sheet especially with regards to turndown & stability & additional influences.
~Project Manager, Burlington, Canada
Yes. Read the manual, order it right the first time, and listen to the old timers. Keep it simple.
~Jim B, Engineer, New Waterford, OH
Decide carefully for what kind application and budget.
~Technical Support, Bandung, Indonesia
Look at the performance history.
~Ilgar G, Engineer, Baku, Azerbaijan
