ABLE SlugMaster Dual Technology Intelligent Ultrasonic Flow Meter

Dual-Ultrasonic Technology for Reliable Flow Measurement in Challenging Multiphase Conditions

The ABLE SlugMaster® is a sophisticated dual-technology ultrasonic flow metering system designed to deliver consistent and accurate flow measurements, even under challenging process conditions. It utilises two ultrasonic flow metering technologies and an intelligent programmable logic controller (PLC) to automatically select the most suitable technology based on real-time process conditions. This smart switching ensures uninterrupted and precise flow measurement, regardless of the presence of solids, slurries, or gas contamination in the fluid. The transition between the two metering technologies is managed by proprietary mathematical software, which ensures exceptional measurement accuracy.

Features:

• Engineered for Demanding Conditions: Designed for slug, plug, and partially filled pipe flow scenarios.
• High Sensitivity: Detects as little as 10 µg (0.00001 g) of water, down to 10 ppm.
• Dual Ultrasonic Technology: Automatically switches between two metering methods based on process conditions.
• Multiphase Capability: Supports both dual-phase and three-phase flow measurement applications.
• High Accuracy Performance: Delivers reliable measurement even with solids, slurries, and gas entrainment.
• Minimal Installation Requirements: Requires little to no straight pipe run—ideal for space-constrained installations.
• Clamp-On, Non-Intrusive Design: No pressure loss, no pipe penetration, and minimal maintenance.
• Resilient to Process Variation: Maintains accuracy through fluctuating aeration, solid loading, coatings, and pressure surges.

Did you know? In 2016 ABLE were granted a patent for the SlugMaster by the UK Intellectual Property Office (Patent No: GB2481666) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (Patent No: 8,965,713) – “Providing measurements relating to different phase components of a flowing fluid”. View Certificate

Most traditional flow meters struggle with difficult process environments such as heavy fluctuating aeration, slug flow, and the presence of solid particles or slurries. These conditions often lead to inaccurate readings or device failure. In particular, the natural coating tendencies within such processes render insertion-type flow meters unsuitable. To overcome these limitations, the ABLE SlugMaster® employs its dual ultrasonic technologies in either dedicated or portable configurations.
During periods of low aeration, the system utilises the time-of-flight ultrasonic method for its high accuracy. When heavy aeration, slugs, or solids are detected, the system automatically switches to the Reflexor metering technology. This intelligent changeover is seamless and ensures the continuity and reliability of measurement.

One of the standout features of the ABLE SlugMaster® is its ability to self-calibrate the Reflexor meter using the precise measurements from the time-of-flight meter. During low-aeration windows, when both technologies are operable, the Reflexor is tuned to match the high accuracy of the time-of-flight system. This calibration dramatically improves the performance of the Reflexor, making it significantly more accurate than standard units. The result is a reliable, adaptive system capable of maintaining high measurement accuracy in even the most unpredictable process conditions.

Have a particular project in mind? We’d welcome a call on +44 (0) 1189 169 420

Why choose The SlugMaster? The ABLE SlugMaster® is the world’s first intelligent dual ultrasonic flow metering system, available in both dedicated and portable configurations. It combines two independent ultrasonic transmission technologies, primary and secondary, to deliver consistent, accurate flow measurement in the most demanding conditions. Using a patented wide-beam DERF time-of-flight method alongside advanced Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis, the SlugMaster offers a fully non-intrusive, clamp-on solution. Its built-in voting logic continuously evaluates real-time process conditions and automatically selects the most appropriate measurement technology, ensuring unmatched reliability and adaptability in challenging multiphase flow environments.

ABLE SlugMaster Specifications: