Required Information for Sizing the Correct Thermal Mass Flow Meter for Your Application

Thermal mass flow meters offer accurate, repeatable, and dependable measurements of liquids and gases for both industrial and environmental processes.  They are used in a multitude of applications including landfills, GHG emissions, flare gas, natural gas measurement, pollution control, petrochemical, chemical processing, measuring hydrogen gas, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, semi-conductor manufacturing, sub-metering of clean process gases, and power / utility.

When sizing a thermal mass flow meter, the following information is required in determining the correct flow meter for your application:

1. Fluid
2. Insertion or inline meter
3. Minimum and maximum line pressure
4. Minimum and maximum flow rate
5. Minimum and maximum fluid temperature
6. Pipe diameter, schedule and material
7. Standard, sanitary or ultra-high purity finish
8. Desired process connections
9. Flow direction
10. Available power for transmitter
11. Transmitter output

Once these parameters are determined, a mass flow meter may be properly specified for your application. To be safe the instrument will perform safely and without problem, it is highly recommended you consult with a process instrumentation expert for assistance.

M.S. Jacobs and Associates
https://msjacobs.com
800-348-0089

In-Line Thermal Flow Meters

In-line thermal dispersion flow meters
Thermal Instrument Company

Thermal dispersion mass flow meters provide an accurate means of mass flow measurement with no moving parts and little or no encroachment on the media flow path. There are a number of different configurations to be found among various manufacturers, but all function in basically the same manner.

Two sensors are exposed to the heat transferring effect of the flowing media. When the media composition is known, the mass flow can be calculated using the meter reading and the pipe cross sectional area. One of the flow meter sensors is heated, the other is allowed to follow the media temperature as a reference. The heat dispersion from the heated sensor is measured and used to calculate mass flow.

Some positive attributes of thermal dispersion flow meters:

• In-line and insertion configurations available to accommodate very small to large pipe sizes
• Rugged Construction – Stainless Steel with available protective coatings and other specialty metals
• No moving parts
• Measure liquid or gas in general, sanitary, and ultra pure applications
• Measurement not adversely impacted by changes in pressure or temperature
• Wide range of process connections 
• In-line versions provide unobstructed flow path
• Wide turndown suitable for extended flow range
• Back up sensors for extended life
• Sensors do not contact process media
• Flow and total flow measured
• 4-20 mA output interfaces easily with other instruments and equipment

Share all your process measurement challenges and requirements with product application specialists, combining your process knowledge with their product application expertise to develop effective solutions.