Working Principle of a Water Flow Meter

Working Principle of a Water Flow Meter
3 min read
30 September 2022

Water flow meters are used to calculate the flow rate of fluids passing through water tubes. Different water flow meters can be used to detect the flow of the water; however, each one of these meters works in different settings. The basic principle follows the passage of water through the non-intrusive flow meter, which then detects the flow rate.

Electromagnetic Flow Meters

Electromagnetic flow meters work using the principles of electromagnetism. Electrodes fitted on both sides of the meter produce a magnetic field around the water. The water passing through the meter generates a voltage and using the voltage, the electromagnetics can figure out the flow rate of the liquid passing through the meter. 

Differential Pressure Flow Meters

Differential pressure flow meters restrict the flow of water through a small nozzle. Forcing the water through the nozzle increases the pressure on the water. The pressure is detected by the flow measurement sensors in the walls of the nozzle, and any change in the pressure is indicative of changes in the flow rate of the liquid passing through.  

Mechanical Turbine Flow Meters

In mechanical turbine flow meter sensors, water passes through a machine that consists of propellers. The propellers are moved when the water passes through them. The speed at which the propeller moves is a depiction of the rate of flow of the water. However, the moving part wears out over time.

Ultrasonic Flow Meters

Ultrasonic flow meters depend on ultrasonic beams to detect the water flow rate. The waves perpendicularly pass through the liquid flowing through the non-intrusive flow meter. They detect any changes in the sound and decide the fluid flow rate based on this information. The ultrasound in these meters travels in both directions as both ends are transducers. 

The only downside of ultrasonic flow meters is their sensitivity to particles in water. The particles may interrupt the waves and make it difficult to calculate the liquids' flow rate. Clean liquids stop this from happening.

Vortex Flow Meters

The workings of this meter are based on creating a vortex. Vortex flow meters place obstacles on the path of water flow. As water travels through this meter, it detects changes in the pressure exerted on each obstacle, which is where these meters obtain their water flow rate.

Conclusion

All these machines aim to accurately detect changes in the rate of flow of water and inform the system of any anomalies that are being detected in the rate of flow. They’re essential devices used in high-risk environments where a flow rate needs to be maintained above a certain threshold. Visit us to learn more.

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