At Grohall, we carry a wide range of flow meters for the petroleum industry, and we’ll work closely with you to find the best peak flow meter, digital flow meter, liquid flow meter, inline gas flow meter, or any other type of industrial flow meter for your needs. Here is our guide to the most common types of flow meters in the industry.
Coriolis Flow Meters
Coriolis flow meters have been in use since the 1950s and their original design was simple but highly accurate and effective. Modern Coriolis flow meters feature oscillating tubes through which fluid flows, creating inertia that causes the tubes to twist. The tubes twist in proportion to the mass flow rate. They are highly accurate and can be used for a wide range of petroleum applications and products, from crude oil to natural gas. They use sensors and flow meter transmitters to measure mass flow rather than volume.
Differential Flow Meters
Differential pressure flow meters measure the volumetric flow of liquid. As the amount of liquid flow increases, the pressure drops also increase. A transmitter gathers and uses that information to determine the flow volume.
Positive Displacement Flow Meters
There are a few different types of positive displacement flow meters: oval gear flow meters, piston flow meters, rotary flow meters, diaphragm flow meters, nutating disc flow meters, and helical flow meters. They are used to measure gas flow using positive displacement and are ideal for steady flow rates.
Thermal Flow Meters
Thermal flow meters measure the speed at which heat dissipates after it is injected into a stream. They are primarily used for the measurement of gas. Because the heat dissipation varies based on the composition and temperature of the gas, this type of flow meter is ideal when these elements are minimized or if the level of accuracy is within acceptable parameters.
Turbine Flow Meters
Turbine flow meters operate using a mechanical rotor that is attached to a shaft in a pipe. The rotor’s blades use energy from the stream of oil, gas, or vapor to rotate. As the speed of the fluid increases, so does the speed of the rotor. Turbine flow meters are inexpensive and give accurate results but do not work well with a varying flow.
Ultrasonic Flow Meters
Ultrasonic flow meters use sound waves to measure the velocity of fluids that are flowing in a pipe. They are available as inline fuel flow meters, inline gas flow meters, and clamp-on flowmeters. They have been in use since 1998. While they are more expensive than other options, they are very durable and low maintenance.
Find the Perfect Gas or Liquid Flow Meter in Southern Arizona
Our experts at Grohall can help you find the perfect gas or liquid flow meter in Southern Arizona. We have extensive knowledge of the industry’s best flow meters. Call Grohall now at (520) 622-4263 or 1-800-624-0003 or email us at sales@grohall.com to learn more about our selection of flow meters for the gas and petroleum industry.