How to Avoid Common Flowmeter Installation Mistakes

Aug 13, 2023

Learn to optimize performance through proper installation and maintenance. From January 2021 InTech Focus.

Plant and operation managers are constantly searching for ways to manage the flow energy in their facility to cut costs and increase their process efficiency. After the flowmeter purchase decision is made, correct installation and calibration are the next steps to maintaining the equipment over the lifetime of the product and reducing the cost of ownership to increase the cost savings of the overall facility. Let’s look at some common installation mistakes and some other ways to lower costs and optimize your flowmeters’ performance.Once you have identified the right flowmeter for each type of fluid and application, properly installing your flowmeter is critical for successful flow readings. Many times, if you think your flowmeter “doesn’t work,” it could just be that the meter was not installed properly. Here are some installation tips for thermal mass, vortex, and ultrasonic flowmeters.To achieve accurate and repeatable performance for thermal mass flowmeters, the first tip is to install the flowmeter using the recommended number of straight-run pipe diameters upstream and downstream of the sensor. The chart below shows basic good plumbing practice for common upstream obstructions and meter locations.Another solution for insertion flowmeters is to install flow conditioning plates in the flanges somewhere in the straight section, requiring 3 diameters of pipe run (two before, one after). This installation will totally disrupt the flow, creating a “flat” profile.

The second tip is to avoid the following mistakes when installing vortex flowmeters:

For ultrasonic flowmeters, consider clamp-on sensors for field flexibility and easy setup. With a portable ultrasonic flowmeter, you can use one in several locations throughout your flow process. Fieldwork calls for flexibility in your equipment. Look for liquid flowmeter clamp-on sensors with a high-powered ultrasonic pulse and digital signal processing that requires just one set of transducers for a wide range of pipe sizes and materials like metal, plastic and concrete.

The last tip is to remember that the measurement accuracy of your device is critical in determining efficiency, performance, and cost savings. So the more accurate your flowmeter is, the better data you have to make cost-saving decisions. Thermal mass flowmeters with in-the-field in-situ calibration validate the meter’s accuracy without shutting down the facilityThis article comes from the January 2021 InTech Focus ebook.

Scott Rouse is product line director for Sierra Instruments, a member of the TASI Group and makers of flow instruments, including all types of flow controllers for gas, liquid, and steam applications. This article first appeared in October 2020 in the official blog of Sierra, Let’s Talk Flow.

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