Steam flow meter

[janeku]

Hi,
I think this is a stupid situation of mine, but unfortunately I have to do this and ask for a little help.
My company planned to install steam flow meteres on a main steam pipeline that connects our fascility with steam boilers.

I was engaged to find out the best option, and collected offers from Endress + Hauser, Spirax and Sarco and some local resellers.

I choosed Endress + Hauser as a best option for these parameters :

Steam pipeline: Dn=128 mm
Steam type: saturated
Steam temperature: max.250 C
Steam pressure: 0 - 10 bar.
Steam consumption: min. 175 kg/h max. 3500 kg/h

I choose DN80 as a optimal solution (min.175 kg/h max.3500 kg/h steam consumption).

And after all, when finnaly an order had to be make, I got a stupid assignment:
To find out a second hand steam flow meter

So If somebody knows where it can be find (really I doubt) please tell me. I've tried to find by myself on the net but no effect.

Regards,

 

[engineeringguy]

It sounds like cost is the driving force here. Have you considered using a Venturi meter instead of an E&H vortex? Its quite a bit cheaper but since its a DP meter turn down won't be as good. . .

http://www.piping-designer.com

 

[dcasto]

A simple orifice meter will do the trick. A 1/4" weep hole in the bottom of the plate with is area added to the area of the plate to calculate a psydo d for the flow coefficient. Witha modern smart Dp and doing the flow calc in a DSC will get you under 2% error.

 

[rmw]

If your steam pressure fluctuates be sure to pressure compensate your measurement.

rmw

 

[StoneCold]

My experience on this type of project is that if they are not willing to pay the $2500 for the meter you should drop the project. They are not very interested in the reading anyway.

Regards
Stonecold

 

[athomas236]

If cost is the main problem and the turndown from an orifice plate is acceptable, then why not machine your own. Assuming yoy have access to a lathe.


regards,

athomas236

 

[TBP]

Depending on your equipment, you might consider a condensate meter. Simple, dead accurate, and with infinite turndown. You can usually find used ones at a district heating operation that's been around for years. Lincoln and Cadillac still manufacture new ones.

 

[davefitz]

2nd hand "grey market" piping components are available- from companies that are parting out components from cancelled combined cycle power plants. The component you described might be a typical LP steam flow nozzle.