Ultrasonic Clamp-On Flow Meters

Micronics ultrasonic flow meters are widely used in Energy Management and retrofit Building Services markets worldwide, to help reduce energy consumption and monitor water use. Micronics’ extensive range of products include Ultrasonic Clamp-On Flow Meters, Portable & Fixed Liquid Flow Measurement Meters, Energy Meters for heating and cooling applications and in-line MID approved ultrasonic energy and water flow meters for direct billing applications. Flow sensors detect and then measure flow rates from the outside of the pipework, without any interruption to flow or process. In addition, for Process or Water industry applications, Micronics provide Clamp-On, full pipe or ‘Doppler’ open channel flow meters for contaminated or dirty liquid flows.

Measurement Principle: Micronics meters use a cross-correlation transit time algorithm to provide accurate flow measurements. An ultrasonic beam of a given frequency is generated and applied to the transducer crystals. This transmission goes first from the downstream transducer to the upstream transducer as shown in the upper half of Figure 1 (below). The transmission is then made in the reverse direction, being sent from the upstream transducer to the downstream transducer as shown in the lower half of Figure 1. The speed at which the ultrasound is transmitted through the liquid is increased slightly by the velocity of the liquid through the pipe. The subsequent time difference T1-T2 is directly proportional to the liquid flow velocity.