Flow, level & control T
itan Enterprises supplies precision flow meters globally and operates three certified flow calibration systems to support production. These calibration rigs cover flow ranges from 2ml/min to 200 l/min with a manufacturer’s uncertainty
of ±0.05 per cent. The systems are based on piston provers, with linear encoder measurement of piston displacement under hydraulic or pneumatic operation. While robust and reliable for production use, these rigs are manually operated and inherently limited in versatility. Their primary purpose being the calibration of devices through production and prior to shipment to customers. This technical report reviews the investigation of flow rig limitations when embarking on ultra-low flow measurement and how this was overcome through the in-house development of specific calibration tools to meet R&D requirements. Titan’s portfolio of meters currently operate accurately down to 2 ml/min, matching the traceable calibration capability of its certified rigs. Recent advances in electronics and signal-processing algorithms provide the potential to extend Titan’s ultrasonic technology to flows significantly below this limit. To develop flowmeters in this regime, Titan needed equally advanced calibration tools.
CURRENT POSITION: CALIBRATION CAPABILITIES AND INVESTMENT IN R&D Titan’s three state-of-the-art piston prover flow calibration tools for production calibration of their meters have an overall uncertainty of ±0.25 per cent (95 per cent CL). The equipment installed provide accurate calibration with water from 2 millilitres per minute up to 200 litres per minute. Annual calibration checks against certified weigh scales mean all flow meter calibrations are traceable to national standards. The production rigs are almost entirely manual in operation, being operated by our trained staff to produce 6-point
ADVANCING FLOW CALIBRATION FOR PRECISION FLOWMETER DEVELOPMENT
Neil Hannay reports on the investigation and resolution of calibration limitations experienced during flowmeter development for ultra-low flow applications.
flow calibration certification for each of Titan’s 10 to 15 thousand meters calibrated each year. The calibrators use a piston within a smooth bore tube to act as a moving barrier between the pressurising control medium and the displaced test water. As the piston travels it is monitored by a linear encoder generating a continuous train of electrical pulses to indicate its position and rate. Each pulse represents an extremely small but very precise volume of fluid, and this volumetric dispensing is then correlated to the meter under test output to calibrate its performance. These production rigs are expensive, require continual manual operation and are being operated almost continuously during the working day. Although the certified calibration systems are ideal for production, the limited availability due to such production demands, constrains the ability to conduct experimental work, and they also lack the flexibility required for early-stage product development. Titan consistently invests approximately 10 per
cent of revenue in research and development, recognising that the ability to verify flowmeter performance is central to innovation. Over the years, Titan has designed a number of small developmental calibration systems. These initially included a transfer standard system using a high-accuracy Coriolis reference meter and a small piston prover operated by a ball screw and drive motor. These rigs enabled rapid performance assessment of prototype flowmeters and investigation of thermal effects. Absolute accuracy or stability of flow were less critical for the development of early designsvof flow meter, but versatility was always a key requirement. However, as Titan’s flowmeter technology advances, particularly in the ultrasonic range, more accurate and versatile calibration systems are essential in the assessment of new flowmeter designs.
AIM: DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS DRIVING CALIBRATION REQUIREMENTS Two major development programmes within the scope
Fig 1. Original single ball screw driven piston prover 18
Fig 2. Improved precision dual screw driven piston prover January 2026 Instrumentation Monthly
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