Flowmeter Selection Guide - The Pros and Cons of 10 Types of Flowmeters

Bobby Brown

Post 2025-04-30

Flowmeter Selection Guide - The Pros and Cons of 10 Types of Flowmeters

1. What Is a Flow Meter and Why Do You Need One?
Flow Meter Types and Application Suitability Quick Comparison
3. How to Choose a Flow Meter

1. What Is a Flow Meter and Why Do You Need One?

What is Flow Meter?

Flow meters are instruments used to measure the flow of fluids (liquids or gases). Flow refers to the volume or mass of fluid passing through a pipeline over a certain period of time [Note 1]. Common units include liters per minute (LPM) or kilograms per hour (kg/h). A common example in daily life is the water meter, which is essentially a flow meter specifically used to measure tap water usage.

Purpose of Flow Meter

There are many purposes for using flow meters. In industrial production, flow meters are used to monitor the flow of liquids or gases in pipelines, allowing manufacturers to precisely control raw material dosing ratios, monitor the circulation of cooling water, or track the output of products during production processes. In recent years, with the rise of environmental awareness, and in accordance with the Energy Management Act, small and medium-sized enterprises, office buildings, medical facilities, and other non-industrial sectors are also required to report energy usage. Flow meters have become indispensable tools for collecting energy consumption data.

➤Learn more: How flow meters assist in energy reporting for building chiller systems

Flow Meter Types and Application Suitability Quick Comparison

To meet a wide range of application needs, flow meters come in many types. However, they are typically categorized based on their measurement principles. Below is a comparison of 10 common types of flow meters and their suitability across different application scenarios.

➤ Legend: ★★★ – Recommended / ★★ – Acceptable / ★ – Not Recommended

| Comparison of 10 common types of flow meters

3. How to Choose a Flow Meter

| Selection steps

1 ) Flow Meter Fluid Medium

Flowmeters play a crucial role in many industries by measuring the volume or mass of a liquid or gas moving through a pipe. Choosing the right type of flowmeter depends on factors like fluid type, flow rate, pressure, and environmental conditions. From simple mechanical meters to advanced digital solutions, each type offers specific advantages for particular applications.

2. Determine the flow range

When selecting a flow meter, one critical consideration is that its measurable flow range must exceed the full variation range of the fluid flow in the pipeline. In other words, the flow meter should be capable of accurately capturing both the minimum and maximum expected flow rates to ensure stable and reliable readings across all operating conditions.

| Flow Meter Measurement Range

For applications with relatively stable flow rates, smaller-scale flow meters such as variable area (rotameter), turbine, vortex, or differential pressure types may be considered. In cases where both very low and very high flow rates need to be measured (wide turndown ratio), ultrasonic or Coriolis flow meters are recommended.

3 ) Accuracy Requirements

The higher the accuracy, the smaller the measurement error; but also the higher the price. When selecting a flow meter, it’s important to balance accuracy with budget based on application needs. If you only need a rough idea of how much water is flowing through a pipe, a low-cost, low-accuracy variable area (rotameter) flow meter may suffice.
For general industrial equipment, paddle wheel, positive displacement, and vortex flow meters (mid-level accuracy) are commonly used. For high-precision applications that demand strict monitoring, ultrasonic, Coriolis, or electromagnetic flow meters are recommended.
➤ Learn more: Flow Meter Accuracy

4. Consider the installation environment

Make sure to check the pipe diameter: for large-diameter pipelines, clamp-on ultrasonic or electromagnetic flow meters are commonly used; for smaller diameters, rotameters or compact mass flow meters are more suitable.

When it comes to vibration interference, it's recommended to avoid Coriolis flow meters, which are more sensitive to vibration. Electromagnetic or ultrasonic flow meters are less affected by mechanical vibration and are thus better alternatives. If pipe cutting is not feasible on-site, ultrasonic flow meters are the best option. However, be mindful of the liquid conditions—these meters may not work properly if there are too many bubbles or if the pipe is not fully filled.

For outdoor and waterproof applications, choose flow meters with an IP65 rating or higher, and ensure the connection interfaces are sealed or come with outdoor-rated junction boxes. Additional factors such as fluid temperature, pressure, and ambient temperature should also be considered before purchase if the application has specific requirements.

5. Evaluate costs and certification

Compare overall performance, pricing, and whether the product has the necessary certifications to meet safety or regulatory requirements. If on-site staffing is limited and you prefer maintenance-free operation, flow meters without mechanical wear—such as electromagnetic or ultrasonic types—are more suitable than other models.

6. Signal transmission requirements

In some applications, there is a need to store and transmit flow data. Additionally, due to recent regulations under the Energy Management Act, facilities such as buildings and workplaces are required to submit annual energy reports. This makes it essential to choose flow meters with data collection capabilities. When purchasing a flow meter, be sure to check whether its communication interface and protocol are compatible with your system. Refer to each manufacturer’s catalog to confirm supported communication modes.

➤ Learn more about communication modes:
• How Ultrasonic Flow Meters Simplify Energy Reporting
• What Is Analog Current Output?
• What Is RS485?
• What Is Modbus?
• What Are Switch Signals?

4. How to Select a Flow Meter - Case Study

This semiconductor factory needs to install a flow meter on the RO equipment in the pure water process to monitor the flow of RO concentrate to control the concentration ratio and prevent membrane scaling. The manufacturer said that the site is not large and it is inconvenient to shut down the equipment. Based on the above conditions, we guide customers to follow the six selection steps to select the flow meter that best suits the equipment site.

➊ Step 1: Analyze the Fluid Properties

The measuring medium of RO equipment is ultrapure water — which is non-conductive, low-temperature, normal pressure, and corrosive.

✖ Exclude: Electromagnetic flowmeters (suitable for conductive liquids) and glass tube rotameter (poor corrosion resistance) can be initially excluded.

➋ Step 2: Confirm the Flow Range

The flow is medium-to-low with slight fluctuations, requiring high sensitivity.

✖ Exclude: Turbine, Vortex, Differential Pressure (insensitive to small changes)

➌ Step 3: Precision Requirements

High accuracy is essential to control concentration ratios.

✖ Exclude: Rotameters, Thermal Mass, Vortex, Turbine (low accuracy)

✔ Recommend: Ultrasonic or Coriolis (±0.1% – ±0.3%)

➍ Step 4: Consider the Installation Environment

No shutdown or pipe cutting allowed, and space is limited.

✖ Exclude: Coriolis (bulky, requires cutting or flange)

✔ Recommend: Clamp-on Ultrasonic (compact, non-intrusive)

➎ Step 5: Cost and Certification

Mid-range clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters cost around TWD 10,000–20,000, with recalibration needed every 1–2 years.

➏ Step 6: Signal Transmission Requirements

Must support PLC integration and protocols like 4–20mA, Modbus, or Pulse. Confirm compatibility.

✦ Final Recommendation: Clamp-on Ultrasonic Flow Meter ✦

Clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters offer high accuracy, quick installation, chemical resistance, and digital communication capabilities. They are ideal for measuring non-conductive ultrapure water and can be installed without shutting down the system—perfectly meeting the customer’s requirements.

➤ Learn more: Product used in this case study – LORRIC Ultrasonic Flow Meter

FAQ

Q1: What are the types of flow meters? How are they classified?
Common types of flow meters include ultrasonic, area (float), paddle wheel, turbine, mass, electromagnetic, etc. The main differences are in the measurement principle and application range. When choosing, it is recommended to select the most suitable flow meter based on actual application requirements, such as fluid type, temperature, pressure range, and budget considerations.
➤ Learn more: Flow meter principle

Q2: Why might a flow meter deliver inaccurate readings?
Common causes of inaccuracy include improper installation location, air bubbles or impurities in the fluid, unstable flow rates, lack of periodic calibration, or sensor aging. Another frequent reason is selecting a flow meter type that does not match the application. To avoid inaccurate measurements, ensure proper installation and perform regular inspection and calibration.

Q3: Do different types of flow meters vary in accuracy?
Yes, the accuracy of flow meters can vary significantly. Mass, electromagnetic, and ultrasonic flow meters generally offer higher precision and are suitable for demanding applications such as semiconductor manufacturing or pharmaceuticals. Rotameters, while less accurate, are more cost-effective and suitable for general-purpose monitoring. Choose the accuracy level based on your application requirements.

Q4: Do flow meters require regular calibration? How is it done?
A: Yes, flow meters should be calibrated regularly—typically every 1 to 2 years. Calibration should be carried out by certified organizations (e.g., labs accredited by TAF or ISO 17025). Some flow meter manufacturers also provide calibration services.
➤ Learn more: LORRIC Flow Meter Calibration

Q5: What should I pay attention to when installing a flow meter?
• Reserve sufficient straight pipe sections before and after the meter, avoiding bends or valves nearby
• Follow the indicated flow direction for correct installation
• Ensure stable power wiring and proper grounding
• Avoid high-vibration environments, air pockets, or negative pressure zones