Category: Actual Mass Flowmeter

Gas mass flow measurement is always a challenge in process conditions. There are very few flow technologies available for achieving it such as Coriolis, Calorimetric ( Thermal Mass) etc..Gas volume varies with respect to temperature and pressure as per Charles & Boyle’s law but Gas mass remains constant. This is the main reason to measure actual mass flow rate is important to monitor in processes.

Let’s understand the difference between Standard & Actual Flow Rate first.

Standard Flow Rates

Standard flow rate is a flow rate of gas at specific pressure and temperature conditions. It is dependent on pressure and temperature conditions. It is termed as Standard volumetric
(Sm3/hr or SCFM) or Standard Mass flow rate (Kg/hr at specific standard conditions).

There are different standards conditions used internationally such as :

• ISO2533 (1.01325bara @ 15°C );
• DIN 1343 ( 1.01325bar @ 0°C);
• Standard (1.01325bar @ 20°C) etc.
  (above with 0% relative humidity conditions generally or sometime varying conditions )

Actual Flow Rates

Actual Flow rate is a flow rate of gas at different pressure and temperature conditions, It is independent of pressure and temperature conditions. It is termed as Actual Volumetric ( Am3/hr or ACFM ) or Actual Mass Flow Rate (Kg/hr at actual process conditions)

Importance of Actual Mass flow rate measurement

As per Charles Law states that at constant pressure ideal gas volume increases with increase in temperature or gasses expands when heated.

And Bolye’s Law states that at a constant temperature ideal gas volume is inversely proportional to pressure applied on the gas. It implies at constant temperature volume increases when pressure decreases and gas volume decreases when pressure increases.

From above laws we understand that measuring volumetric gas flow rate gives a huge measurement error due to the fact that gas volume varies with changing temperature & pressure conditions.

Therefore, we must measure the actual mass flow rate of gas for an accurate measurement for controlling the process conditions.

Leomi 587 Insertion Thermal Mass Flow Meter for Actual Mass / Volume Flow Rate measurement is developed considering the process industry’s real requirement for optimizing process conditions with accurate and real measurement.

Modern industries have to provide an efficient and productive manufacturing operation where compressed air plays an important role as utility after water. Compressed air is an important medium for transfer of energy in many industrial processes. It has wide usage in manufacturing processes such as pneumatic conveying of bulk materials, pneumatically operated machinery such as Airjet looms, aerated bottling plant, spray paint booths, pet bottle machinery, printing machinery, CNC machines, HVAC controls etc & power tools such as valves, drills, air hammers, wrenches and many more for process automation.

Compressed air is an invisible energy, It comprises almost 10% to 30% of energy cost in many of the process industries.

Automobiles, Textiles, Pharmaceuticals, Food and Beverages are some of the major consumers of compressed air.

Considering the above facts, An efficient selection of the right compressor type and capacity is quite important. Compressed air piping systems must be designed for best efficiency and optimization. And a plant operator must ensure elimination of leakages, misuse, overpressurization, peak load management and reduce pressure drop for efficient compressed air systems.

For efficient compressed air systems, Compressed air flow rate in terms of free air delivery (FAD), discharge pressure, temperature, compressor’s actual power measurement is important. In-order to achieve this goal Leomi- 587 An Insertion Thermal Mass Flowmeter is developed. A perfect tools which will measure & record with in-built USB datalogger Actual CFM ( FAD) corrected with actual relative humidity (%); Pressure, Temperature, Actual power(KW) and also calculates full load efficiency, CFM/KW with a custom built software and provides an excel report of all the parameter which makes life easier for an energy auditor.

IMPORTANT FEATURES:

• Measuring actual mass/volume flow rate
• Suitable to 15mm to 10000mm pipe sizes
• Probes with Ø=12mm/20mm(HC276) & Length up-to 2000 mm available
• Better accuracy < ±2%RD of actual mass flow rate
• Upto 4 user selectable analogue input such as pressure, temperature, power or RH% etc.
• Turndown ratio 100:1 or better
• Accurate measurement over temperature ranges upto 400°C
• In-built data storage with USB 2.0 in csv format for input parameters
• In-built auto purging system for sensor cleaning
• Ideal for customized flow control applications with PC software

Leomi 587 Software:

Click here to know more in detail about Leomi 587 Actual Mass Flow Meter.