Clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter for steam/EMS

basic information

■Clamp-on Ultrasonic Flow Meter for Steam The clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter for steam enables the visualization of steam flow in factories and facilities where installation has previously been difficult. It can be easily installed without the need for piping work, and there is no need to stop the operating equipment when installing the flow meter. Since it is installed externally on the piping, there are no steam leaks or pressure losses, allowing for effective utilization of steam energy. Additionally, with no moving parts, it is not affected by water hammer, which can reduce maintenance costs. Contributing to the visualization of steam flow, it supports the discovery of waste, energy conservation in factories, and optimization of energy management by collaborating with EMS (Energy Management Systems). ■Main Features - No construction required. Installation can be done without cutting the piping. - Zero pressure loss. As it is an external type, there is no pressure loss. - No moving parts, which can reduce costs for regular maintenance such as cleaning. - Capable of measuring flow rates from zero, which cannot be measured by other types of steam flow meters. - Mass flow conversion is possible.

Price information

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Applications/Examples of results

■Application Example 1: Optimization of Boiler Equipment Operation and Energy Saving Measures To optimize the operation of boiler equipment, it is necessary to measure the steam flow rate. Therefore, a clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter for steam was installed, and an investigation was conducted over approximately two weeks to check for any energy losses. As a result of measuring the steam flow rate, it was found that there were energy losses due to sudden large amounts of steam flowing during specific time periods on holidays, as well as a constant flow of 4 m/h of steam during holidays and nighttime when no one was present. By reviewing the operating conditions of the boiler, energy-saving measures were formulated, enabling the optimization of boiler equipment operation. ■Application Example 2: Optimization of Equipment and Best Practices At a certain factory of Company A, a clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter for steam was installed for the purpose of measuring steam flow velocity. Upon measuring the steam flow velocity, it was discovered that the steam was flowing at a rate faster than the design value. Due to the faster steam flow rate compared to the design value, it was identified that there were issues such as equipment failures due to water hammer, the phenomenon of pipe wall thinning (pipe wall reduction phenomenon) caused by the flow of steam, and an increase in pressure loss.

Detailed information

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  ■No piping work required, can be installed even while equipment is in operation Clamp-on type refers to a method of installing a steam flow meter externally on the piping. Generally, steam flow meters come in differential pressure and vortex types, but these types require cutting the piping for installation. Therefore, it has been difficult to install them in factories that operate 24 hours a day or in manufacturing lines where contamination is not permitted, hindering the measurement and visualization of steam. The clamp-on type has the advantage of not requiring piping work to install the flow meter compared to inline types. It can be installed even while existing equipment in chemical plants or factories is in operation, and the installation position can be easily adjusted with a dedicated rail. Since there are no moving parts, it reduces the costs of regular maintenance such as cleaning. Because no piping work is required, there is no concern about steam leaks from the piping joints. Additionally, the entire flow meter can be covered with insulation material, which helps minimize energy loss due to heat radiation from the equipment.

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  ■No risk of equipment failure due to pressure loss or water hammer Clamp-on flow meters are installed on the outside of the piping, resulting in no pressure loss and are not affected by changes in the state of the measuring fluid, such as water hammer. On the other hand, differential pressure and vortex flow meters experience pressure loss due to internal structures (orifices and vortex generators) within the piping, leading to unnecessary energy loss. Additionally, maintenance is required if there is a blockage in the piping. Compared to inline types, they have no energy loss and a lower risk of equipment failure, making them suitable for energy saving and labor reduction.

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  ■Measurement is possible up to the end flow rate of steam boiler equipment. Differential pressure and vortex flow meters cannot measure flow rates near zero due to their measurement principles. On the other hand, measurements using ultrasound can measure from low-pressure steam to high-temperature steam and can also accommodate measurements at zero flow. It is also possible to detect minor steam leaks caused by valve deterioration. Clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters for steam can measure from a low pressure of 0.1 MPa (G).

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  ■Technology for Accurate Flow Measurement In steam measurement, the received signal is smaller compared to liquid measurement, leading to the problem of signal attenuation before it reaches the converter. Fujielectric's ultrasonic flow meter for steam utilizes unique digital signal processing to reduce measurement interference caused by droplets in the pipe, enabling the reception of signals at measurable levels. Additionally, in steam piping, signals that wrap around the metal inside the piping become noise, posing challenges in measuring steam flow. This noise is larger than the signal that transmits through the metal to the steam and shares the same frequency, making it difficult to eliminate through filtering. The ultrasonic flow meter for steam reduces noise by wrapping a heat-resistant rubber noise reduction frame around the surface of the piping, allowing for accurate capture of ultrasonic signals.