A compressed air flow meter is a device used to measure the flow rate of compressed air. It monitors the consumption of compressed air. Generally speaking, common instruments for measuring compressed air flow include vortex flow meters, turbine flow meters, thermal mass flow meters, and differential pressure flow meters.
Are you struggling to choose the right compressed air flow meter now? This article will introduce compressed air flow meters.
Read More about: Featured 7 Types of Industrial Gas Flow Meters
What is a Compressed Air Flow Meter？
A compressed air flow meter is an instrument used to measure the flow rate of compressed air. It can monitor the flow rate of compressed air in real time and with high accuracy.
With the continuous development of industrial automation, the performance and accuracy of compressed air flow meters have also been continuously improved to meet more diverse application requirements.
Why Use a Compressed Air Flow Meter?
Compressed air is an important secondary energy source in industrial production. Accurate measurement of compressed air can help save energy and improve equipment management efficiency.
Compressed air is a mixture of gases that generates kinetic energy through the process of compression. By forcing air molecules into a smaller space, their density increases, causing them to move faster and generate energy.
Compressed air is used in many industries:
Compressed air can clean machinery and facilities. Compressed air provides power for tire inflation and maintenance operations. The energy from compressed air can drive assembly line machinery. Compressed air can also power pneumatic tools such as rock drills.
Compressed Air Flow Meter Types:
In various environments and requirements, we must select a different flow meter to meet the needs of industrial production.
Turbine Flow Meter:
The turbine flow meter is driven by fluid flow to rotate the turbine; the turbine speed is proportional to the flow rate. A turbine flow meter is suitable for measuring gas flow with a large and stable flow rate. It is capable of providing highly accurate measurements.
Vortex flow meter:
A vortex flow meter is through the Karman vortex principle to measure the volume or mass of compressed air flow in the pipeline to measure the flow of a flow meter.
Differential pressure flow meter:
Differential pressure flow meter is through the measurement of compressed air flow in the pipeline when the pressure difference to measure the flow of a flow. It is often used to measure the flow of various high-pressure gases, especially when the a high pressure difference and a large flow.
Thermal mass flow meter:
A thermal mass flow meter is a kind of flow meter that measures the flow rate by measuring the heat transfer principle in the flow process of compressed air. It calculates the flow rate of compressed air by real-time measurement of the temperature change on the heating components and has a good temperature compensation function.
Swirl vortex flow meter
The swirl vortex flow meter measures flow by detecting the vortices formed behind the vortex generator. The frequency of the vortices is proportional to the flow velocity.
It is suitable for measuring compressed air flow at low velocities and small diameters. It is sensitive to impurities and pulsations in the fluid. It may affect measurement accuracy. Additionally, its application range is relatively limited.
What Industries are Compressed Air Flow Meters Used In?
A compressed air flow meter is used to measure the flow rate of compressed air, which is widely used in various industries as follows:
Industrial Manufacturing:
Compressed air is widely used in various pneumatic devices, such as cylinders and air motors. Compressed air is used in a wide range of pneumatic equipment such as cylinders and air motors. It helps to identify potential equipment failures so that we can take corrective action promptly. Compressed air flow meters monitor the flow consumption of these devices in real time.
Food processing:
In food processing, compressed air must also be filtered and purified to ensure food hygiene. Compressed air is used to drive cylinders for packaging automation.
Energy management:
By accurately measuring and analyzing compressed air flow, energy efficiency can be assessed. In addition, compressed air flow meters can be integrated with other energy monitoring devices to build a comprehensive energy management system.
How to Choose a Perfect Compressed Air Flow Meter？
Because compressed air is characterized by high vibration, watery gases, and pulsating flows, we need to consider carefully when choosing a compressed air flow meter.
We can choose a suitable compressed air flow meter according to the following considerations.
Consider the characteristics of the medium: take into account the water content of compressed air, pressure, temperature and vibration. Thermal mass flow meters can measure dry gases. For moisture-containing air, you need to choose a flow meter that can handle water vapor, such as a vortex flow meter with temperature and pressure compensation.
Determine the measurement requirements:
Know exactly what the expected flow range of compressed air is, and determine the flow range of the selected flowmeter based on the expected measurement range.
Accuracy and functionality requirements:
Select the right flow meter based on the requirements of measurement accuracy.
If necessary, must also consider the temperature supplement and pressure compensation function, as well as fault protection, fault recording and communication transmission and other additional functions.
Output Signal and Power Supply Mode:
Select the appropriate signal output mode, such as pulse signal, analog signal (e.g., 4-20mA) or digital signal (e.g., RS-485, Modbus, etc.) according to the site conditions and requirements.
Consider the power supply method, such as a DC power supply or an AC power supply, and whether a remote power supply is required.
Environmental conditions and explosion-proof requirements:
In explosion-proof places, an explosion-proof compressed air flow meter should be selected to ensure safe operation. Consider the environmental conditions of the installation location of the flowmeter, such as temperature, humidity, pressure, and so on. Choose a suitable protection level and material, such as anti-corrosion and high-pressure resistant material.
Installation location selection:
Ensure that the direction of media flow is consistent with the direction shown by the arrow of the flowmeter, and avoid reverse installation. Preferred vertical installation, to ensure that the medium flows from the bottom up through the flow meter, to reduce gas aggregation and vibration effects.
Horizontal installation, avoid installation in the pipeline at the highest point or vibration position.
Straight Pipe Section Requirements:
Determine the required straight pipe section length based on the flowmeter type and piping layout, and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Sufficient straight sections are required before and after the flowmeter to ensure a steady flow of fluid and to minimize eddy currents and interference.
Pipe Bore:
Consider matching the pipe bore to the flowmeter bore. If the pipe diameter does not match, the meter and pipe diameter should be changed at the same time.
Other considerations:
Select the appropriate flowmeter model and brand according to the budget.
Choose a supplier with good after-sales service and technical support to ensure stable operation and timely maintenance of the flowmeter.
Consider the ease of maintenance and servicing of the flowmeter, as well as the spare parts and calibration services required.
Sino-Inst Featured Compressed Air Flow Meter
Sino-Inst has many years of experience in flow measurement. Our products support customization and can meet various complex working conditions. Our products are of high quality, high precision, and come in a wide range of types. We have a one-year warranty and comprehensive after-sales service.
What is the best air flow meter?
In our experience, there is no “best” air flow meter, only the most suitable. When choosing a flow meter, you can consider the following factors.
- Different flow meters have different adaptability to gas composition, temperature and pressure.
- Consider the installation space and piping configuration of the meter.
- Select the right accuracy class for your application.
- Choose a flow meter that is easy to maintain and calibrate to reduce long-term operating costs.
- Ensure that the flow range of the selected flow meter is suitable for your application.
How to measure compressed air flow?
The best way to measure compressed air flow is to choose the right flow meter for the operating conditions. Sino-Inst offers thermal mass flow meters, vortex flow meters, differential pressure flow meters and more.
What is a vortex flow meter for compressed air?
Vortex flow meters are based on the Karman vortex principle. The flow rate of compressed air is calculated by detecting the frequency of the vortex generated when the fluid flows over an obstacle. Vortex flow meters offer the following advantages when measuring compressed air flow:
- No impellers, bearings or other wear-prone parts.
- Built-in damping suppresses the pulsating flow common in compressed air piping.
- Wide Variable Ratio
- Shielded design for immunity
- Frequency output: Eddy current frequency is proportional to the flow rate.
Sino-Inst is a leading supplier of compressed air flow meters from China, offering a wide range of different types. If you still have questions after reading this article, please feel free to contact us.
