Top Five Tips for Choosing a Flow Meter

The wide range of flow technology alternatives on hand can make it a confusing task to select the right flowmeter. A wide range of factors can influence the selection of flowmeter, of which only one is the cost. Including the fluid type, application environment, working parameters such as temperature, pressure and flow rate, flow meter technology, requirements for precision and repeatability, reliability, installation limitations, maintenance requirements, and instrument life cycle are many considerations to consider. Below are our top five criteria when selecting a flow meter.

1. Regulations, compliance
   1. What local, state, regional or national regulations impact the measurement location?
   2. Are there additional recording, data logging or calibration verification requirements to comply with regulations?
   3. What agency approvals must the flow meter have?
2. Fluid type at the measurement point
   1. Dry or wet gas conditions may affect sensors
   2. Corrosive components in oil may affect sensor material selections
   3. Flow back contains mixtures of oil, gas, solids, chemicals, and water that must be separated
3. Fluid conditions
   1. Does the accuracy spec of the flow meter change based on the composition of the fluid type?
   2. Does the fluid composition change over time?
   3. What is the pressure and velocity in the pipe? Is it constant?
   4. Are there installation limitations (straight pipe runs, limited access to the pipe, tight spaces)?
4. Additional equipment
   1. Does the flow meter require additional equipment or instrumentation to operate successfully at the point of measurement?
5. Additional calculations
1. Will you need to do additional calculations to determine an accurate flow rate? 

List is courtesy of Fox Thermal.

For more information about flow meter selection, contact:

Power Specialties, Inc.
9118 E. 72nd Terrace
Raytown, MO 64133
Toll Free: (800) 432-6550
Phone: (816) 353-6550
Fax: (816) 353-1740
www.powerspecialties.com