Clamp-on and non-invasive transit time ultrasonic flow meter

Saelig Company, Inc. now offers the Coltraco Permaflow Ultrasonic Transit-time Flow and Heat Meter, which utilises a pair of clamp-on ultrasonic transducers to monitor fluid flow rates non-invasively. Employing ultrasonic technology, the meter can measure Flow Velocity, Volumetric Flow Rate, Mass Flow Rate, Energy Flow Rate (Heat Quantity), Volume, Mass, Energy, and it is also suited for heat metering applications. All measured values can be separately totalised to show session totals.

The Permaflow Flow Meter works on DN15-DN 2500 pipes (0.5"-98") with various pipe materials, carrying practically any clean liquid. With no actual fluid contact, there are no issues with the flowmeter being damaged by the nature of the fluid being measured, unlike conventional inline flowmeters. No installation costs or downtime are involved when using the meter, such as caused by drilling into pipes, shutting off flow, etc. A single operator can take flow measurements accurate to +/-0.5% under ideal conditions, with a resolution of 0.25mm/s and repeatability of 0.15%.

The system also accepts PT100 thermometer inputs, allowing simultaneous liquid temperature monitoring. Two PT100 thermometers can be installed to check supply and return temperatures, typically used in heating and chilling efficiency calculations. Due to its thermometer input integration, when Permaflow is installed in HVAC networks or buildings, for example, it can help comply with regulations by recording heated or chilled water flow rates, supply and return temperatures, and calculating the thermal energy involved in heating and cooling the fluid to assess kWh or BTU energy consumption.

The system is one of the simplest flow meters to use, and it is constructed with I/O module options for selecting only essential features, including 4–20mA, Digital, Modbus, Relay, OPTO, and Open Collector Output. USB and RS232 interfaces are standard for serial communications, and the 16MB internal memory can log more than 90,000 measurements, saved for later export or streamed directly to a PC. The system has a built-in oscilloscope for signal diagnostics that can assist in a reliable set-up process. An optional ISO 17025 calibration certificate is obtainable to verify measurement accuracy.

Applications include almost any fluid flow monitoring, including commercial building HVAC metering, fuel monitoring, waste water, etc.