Flow Meter

[nornrich]

All,

I am looking for the best flow meter to measure 20-80 GPM of flow in a 3" Diameter PVC Pipe. The pipe is moving water with high concentration of steel scale. We have tried a conventional paddlewheel, but the scale is sticking to the padles and stopping the sensor. Any suggestions would be helpful.

Regards,

Rich......

Richard Nornhold, PE

 

[Latexman]

How about a mag meter? The electrical conductivity of the fluid must be > 1 µS/cm (> 1 micromho/cm). It's cheap and works with solids.

Good luck,
Latexman

 

[jmw]

Mag is a good suggestion or clamp on ultrasonic.

JMW

http://www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

[quark]

I agree with the above posts. You will not have a problem with mags as long as your water is with 'high concentration steel scale'(that will take care of conductivity limitation).

Clamp on meters can be a better option so that you will never lose accuracy due to scale deposition on the flowmeter walls(Hint:constant cross sectional area).

 

[JLSeagull]

The particulates may be a problem with transit-time. You may get a supplier to try a clamp-on doppler and transit time to see if either works well. Doppler works better with bubbles or solids and transit-time works better with clean fluids. If the solids are a problem with transit-time ultrasonic then the Dopler may work.