FEATURE FLOW, LEVEL & CONTROL
FLOW METERS IN DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES
Flow meters are used in many industries. Here,
Jack Bird of Litre Meter provides some examples of applications in which flow meters are used in the aerospace, automotive and food industries
F
low meters are, by definition, used to measure flow; whether it is the
flow of liquid, gas, or in some cases, solids. However, simply listing those three different types of matter underestimates the sheer amount of industries that flow meters are used in. Below is just a small selection of some of the industries that flow meters are essential for; ranging from your local café, to the literally out of this world.
FLOW METERS IN THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES In the vacuum of space, extra care needs to be taken for every single aspect of the spacecraft and equipment. A mistake in a flow meter system in a regular office would be a nuisance, but probably manageable. In space, it could be a matter of life and death. Recent advancements mean that flow
Liquids like water and lemonade will be no test for a quality flow meter
meters have, in some cases, staggering levels of accuracy when measuring liquids and gases. For the aerospace industry, this might involve measuring oxygen levels, fuel consumption, hydraulic fluid levels, lubricant performance and much more.
FLOW METERS IN THE FOOD AND DRINK INDUSTRIES The variety of available flow meters suits the diverse nature of food and drink manufacturing. Liquids like water and lemonade will be no test for a quality flow meter, but more viscous fluids like oil offer more of a challenge; without even mentioning the high temperatures of the product that could be flowing through. Due to the nature of food and drink,
Flow meters are often used for measuring fluids such as antifreeze and gear oils
18 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2018 | INSTRUMENTATION
extra care also needs to be taken in the production and transportation of the materials. A foreign body in a can of paint, for example, may not lead to
disaster. However, a foreign body leaking in to consumable products could result in serious illness. Measuring the flow in these early stages is also very important, as too much of one ingredient could ruin a batch of product and too little of one ingredient could have the same affect.
FLOW METERS IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY The dials and readings on a car dashboard have different types of flow meters to thank for the data on show. For example, universal flow meters are often used for measuring fluids such as antifreeze and gear oils. Light and robust, these flow meters get their name because of their adaptability to a range of different applications. Flow meters are also essential in the
production section of an automobiles life cycle. They are often used to measure and optimise as many aspects of a car as possible, such as the efficiency of fuel in a certain model.
WHAT NEXT FOR FLOW METERS? The simple fact that “flow meters measure flow” will not change for the foreseeable future, but how that flow is measured, how that data is processed and then how that data is presented to the user will all see improvements. Meters that are capable of self- diagnosing problems, connecting with mobile phone applications and becoming generally more cost-effective are all on the horizon. You only have to look at how much the
industry has changed in the last 20 years to get excited for the next 20 years.
Litre Meter
www.litremeter.com T: 01296 670200
/ INSTRUMENTATION
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