The flow measuring device market in the Asia Pacific region like Australia is expected to increase by 7.1% CAGR in the forecast period (2020-2023). There will likely be rapid development of flowmeters during this forecast period due to the rapidly increasing urban population. Industrial growth and rapid urbanization drive the demand for wastewater treatment solutions, sufficient power generation, and water supply. Hence, the wastewater and water segments and power generation are anticipated to grow remarkably during this period.
It is critical to measure a flow, particularly in industrial plants. It is a matter of flow rate and mass flow rate. Both are related to material density with volumetric profit or loss of a company. A device used to measure the quantity or rate of fluid flow moving through a pipe is known as a flowmeter. It is used in different kinds of applications to estimate the mass flow rate or volumetric flow rate. The particular application defines the capacity and type of the meter.
Depending on the application, construction, specific fluid, and materials, there are various flowmeters. Some of the primary classifications are as follows.
1. Differential pressure
These pressure meters are used to measure the differential pressure over an orifice, where the flow is directly associated with the square root of pressure produced. Also, there are secondary and primary elements in this flow measuring device. The secondary element provides the signal by measuring the differential pressure. The primary element uses an orifice plate, flow nozzle, pitot tube, or venturi meters to generate kinetic energy change.
These pressure meters represent about 1/5 of the entire flowmeters worldwide. They are generally utilized in HVAC, mining, water, beverage, pharma, chemical, paper applications, and the gas and oil industry.
2. Velocity
These meters used to determine the volumetric flow rate by measuring the velocity of the flow. When the fluid’s Reynolds number is more than 10000, they are less sensitive. Velocity meters comprise vortex shedding, turbine, electromagnetic, paddlewheel, and ultrasonic/sonic meters.
3. Positive displacement
These flowmeters are used to measure the volume of the fluid or liquid, deliver it forward and fill again. It calculates the volume of fluid transferred. Positive displacement meters measure the actual flow of fluids while all other meters measure other parameters and convert it into flow rate. These meters include rotary vane type meters, piston meters, nutating disk meters, oval-gear meters.
They are also very popular for their accuracy. They are generally utilized to transfer liquids and oils such as hydraulic, gasoline fluids, and even gas and water gas application at homes.
4. Open channel
These are used to measure the fluid in open channels like flumes, v-notch, and weirs. The dam-like structures enable a full or restricted free-flow of liquids based on the specific structure’s size and shape. This kind of flowmeter also allows for evaluating the flow rate. This meter’s applications generally include free-flowing fluids such as sewer systems, streams, irrigation channels, and rivers.
5. Mass
This type of flowmeter is beneficial for mass-related processes because it is used to determine the force that arises from the acceleration of the mass. The force is calculated as the mass moving for one unit of time. Mass meters include thermal dispersion mass meters and Coriolis meters. The applications of these meters are bound to chemical processes. Besides gas and chemical industries, the specific industries that use mass meters are wastewater, pharma, mining, and power.
