author
Bobby Brown
Post 2019-09-09
Flowmeter Selection Guide - 10 Flow Meter Types

Table of Contents

With hundreds of flow meters available, how do you choose the right one? This article addresses the challenges users face when purchasing flow meters, introducing key considerations and summarizing the usage conditions of different types in a table. This will help you select the flow meter that best fits your needs. If you want to understand how flow meters work, please refer to Understanding How Different Flow Meters Work in 5 Minutes.

I. Flow Meter Fluid

When selecting a flow meter, different measurement principles mean not all can measure both liquids and gases.

➤ Flow Meter Fluid Medium Reference Table:
Flow Meter Type
Liquid Gas
1. Ultrasonic Flow Meter  ✔  ✔
2. Paddle Wheel Flow Meter  ✔  ✘
3. Variable Area Flow Meter (Rotameter)  ✔  ✔
4. Coriolis Flow Meter  ✔  ✔
5. Positive Displacement Flow Meter (Gear Flow Meter)  ✔  ✘
6. Vortex Flow Meter  ✔  ✔
7. Turbine Flow Meter  ✔  ✘
8. Differential Pressure Flow Meter  ✔  ✔
9. Electromagnetic Flow Meter  ✔  ✘
10. Thermal Mass Flow Meter  ✔  ✔


II. Pipe Pressure Ratings and Temperature Ranges for Flow Meters

Moreover, pipe pressure and temperature are crucial. Different flow meters have varying tolerances to pressure and temperature. Even the same type of flow meter may have different resistance levels due to material differences or special design requirements.
In engineering design, it's recommended to have a safety margin exceeding 10 degrees. For example, with a pipe pressure of 20 kg and sodium hydroxide solution at 50 degrees inside the pipe, using Lorric flow meters as an example, although the liquid temperature tolerance is greater than 50+10, the pipe pressure tolerance should be greater than 20+10.


➤ Reference Table for Flow Meter Pressure Range and Operating Temperature:
Compiled from the official websites of flow meter manufacturers like Emerson, Endress+Hauser, and Doweston:
Pressure is measured in MPa:
  • Low Pressure: ≤ 1.0 MPa
  • Medium Pressure: 1.0 MPa to 10 MPa
  • High Pressure: > 10 MPa
  • Fluid temperature inside the pipe is measured in degrees Celsius (°C):
  • Low Temperature: -40°C to 0°C
  • Medium Temperature: 0°C to 100°C
  • High Temperature: > 100°C
  • Flow Meter Type
    Pressure Range Fluid Temperature Inside Pipe
    1. Ultrasonic Flow Meter  High (installed outside the pipe, no pressure limit) Low to High
    2. Paddle Wheel Flow Meter  Low  Medium
    3. Variable Area Flow Meter (Rotameter)  Low   Medium
    4. Coriolis Flow Meter  Medium   Low to High
    5. Positive Displacement Flow Meter (Gear Flow Meter)  Medium   Low to Medium
    6. Vortex Flow Meter  Medium   Low to High
    7. Turbine Flow Meter  Medium   Low to Medium
    8. Differential Pressure Flow Meter  High   Low to High
    9. Electromagnetic Flow Meter  Medium   Medium
    10. Thermal Mass Flow Meter Low to Medium   Low to High
    (This table is for preliminary selection reference only. Due to varying characteristics of flow meters from different manufacturers, it is recommended to refer to catalogs or consult manufacturers when purchasing to confirm whether the temperature and pressure resistance meet your usage conditions.)

    III. Flow Meter Flow Range

    The measurable range of the flow meter should be greater than the variation range of the liquid flow in the equipment pipeline:

    Flow Meter Flow Range
    We can refer to the measuring range to select a flow meter that meets our needs. If the measurement range of the equipment is between 10-150 lpm, dividing 150 by 10 equals 15. It is recommended to choose a flow meter with a turndown ratio greater than 1:15. Additionally, it's advisable that the minimum measurable flow of the flow meter is less than 10 lpm, and the maximum flow is greater than 150 lpm. For example, you can choose a flow meter with a measuring range of 5~180 lpm or 3~300 lpm.

    The minimum value of the measuring range (lower limit) affects the zero point (boundary value); the upper limit affects the accuracy of the flow meter. Since errors are usually calculated as a percentage of the upper limit value (full scale), if there's a large gap between the minimum and maximum measurement values, the accuracy at low flow rates will be poorer.

    ➤ Reference Table for Measuring Ranges of Various Flow Meters:
    The following data is compiled from flow meter product information published on the official websites of manufacturers like Emerson, Endress+Hauser, and Doweston, based on the turndown ratio:
    • High Turndown Ratio: > 1:50, suitable for applications requiring measurement of both very small and very large flows
    • Medium Turndown Ratio: between 1:20 and 1:50, suitable for most industrial applications
    • Low Turndown Ratio: < 1:20, suitable for applications with a small flow range and relatively fixed flow rates

    Flow Meter Type
    Turndown Ratio
    1. Ultrasonic Flow Meter High
    2. Paddle Wheel Flow Meter  Medium
    3. Variable Area Flow Meter (Rotameter)  Low
    4. Coriolis Flow Meter  Low
    5. Positive Displacement Flow Meter (Gear Flow Meter)  Low
    6. Vortex Flow Meter  Medium
    7. Turbine Flow Meter  Low
    8. Differential Pressure Flow Meter  Medium
    9. Electromagnetic Flow Meter  Medium
    10. Thermal Mass Flow Meter  Low to High
    (This table is for preliminary selection reference only. Due to varying characteristics of flow meters from different manufacturers, it's recommended to refer to catalogs or consult manufacturers to confirm if the flow meter's measurement range meets your usage conditions.)


    IV. Flow Meter Accuracy Requirements

    While flow meter accuracy is important, higher accuracy often means a higher price. It's advisable to balance accuracy and cost based on your needs. For instance, if you just need to know the approximate flow in a pipeline, high accuracy isn't essential. However, for precise chemical monitoring in manufacturing processes, higher accuracy is crucial. Let's understand some related terms:

    Flow Meter Accuracy

    1. Repeatability and Measurement Accuracy

  • Repeatability
    Definition: The consistency or closeness of measurement results when the same quantity is measured multiple times under identical conditions. Repeatability reflects the short-term stability of the measuring device or system.
    For example, if you use a flow meter to measure the same flow rate (e.g., 10 liters per second) and repeat the measurement 10 times under the same conditions, a flow meter with high repeatability will yield results very close to each other, such as 9.98, 9.99, 10.01 liters. Higher repeatability means less data dispersion.
  • Measurement Accuracy
    Definition: The closeness of the measured value to the true value (or reference standard). Measurement accuracy reflects the correctness of the measuring device.
    If you aim to measure a liquid flow of 10 liters per second, ideally, the flow meter should display 10.0 liters per second. If it shows 9.8 liters per second, it indicates lower measurement accuracy. The higher the measurement accuracy, the closer the measured value is to the true value of 10.0 liters per second.
  • 2. Full Scale (FS) vs. Reading (Rd)

    When you see the accuracy specifications of a flow meter, pay attention to whether it's expressed as a percentage of Full Scale (FS) or Reading (Rd or RD). 

    1) What is Full Scale (FS)?
    Using FS to express error means the error is calculated based on the maximum range of the scale. The absolute error remains constant, but the relative error percentage changes with the flow rate.

    For example: Suppose a flow meter has a range of 3–300 LPM with an accuracy of ±3.0% FS.
    Then, Absolute Error = 300 LPM × 3.0% = 9 LPM
  • If the displayed flow is 250 LPM, the actual flow could be 250 LPM ±9 LPM (241–259 LPM). The relative error is 9 LPM / 250 LPM = ±3.6%.
  • If the displayed flow is 100 LPM, the actual flow could be 100 LPM ±9 LPM (91–109 LPM). The relative error is ±9%.

    The advantage of FS is that it's simple to calculate since the absolute error doesn't change. It's suitable for indicating errors at high flow rates. However, at lower flow rates, the absolute error constitutes a larger percentage of the flow rate, leading to poorer measurement accuracy.
  •  

    2) What is Reading (Rd or RD)?
    When using Rd to express error, the error is calculated based on the actual measured value. The percentage remains constant regardless of where the flow rate is within the range.

    For example: Suppose a flow meter has an accuracy of ±0.3% Rd.

  • When the actual measured value is 100 LPM, the absolute error is 100 LPM × 0.3% = 0.3 LPM.
  • When the actual measured value is 50 LPM, the absolute error is 50 LPM × 0.3% = 0.15 LPM.

    The advantage of Rd is that the error varies with the measured value, offering more precise measurements at low flow rates and stable relative errors. It's suitable for applications with varying flow rates, maintaining accuracy across different ranges. The downside is that calculations are more complex, requiring dynamic computation for each reading. At high flow rates, the error might increase, affecting measurement accuracy.

  • ➤ Flow Meter Accuracy Reference Table:
    Based on data from manufacturers like Emerson, Endress+Hauser, and Doweston, using Full Scale (FS) error as the standard:
    • High Accuracy: FS ≤ ±0.5%, suitable for laboratory measurements or high-precision industrial applications.
    • Medium Accuracy: FS between ±0.5% and ±2%, suitable for most industrial applications and daily measurement needs.
    • Low Accuracy: FS > ±2%, suitable for applications with large flow variations or lower accuracy requirements.

    Flow Meter Type
    Accuracy Range
    1. Ultrasonic Flow Meter High
    2. Paddle Wheel Flow Meter Low
    3. Variable Area Flow Meter (Rotameter) Low
    4. Coriolis Flow Meter High
    5. Positive Displacement Flow Meter (Gear Flow Meter) Medium to High
    6. Vortex Flow Meter Medium
    7. Turbine Flow Meter Medium
    8. Differential Pressure Flow Meter High
    9. Electromagnetic Flow Meter High
    10. Thermal Mass Flow Meter High
    (This table is for preliminary selection reference only. Due to varying characteristics of flow meters from different manufacturers, it is recommended to refer to catalogs or consult manufacturers to confirm if the flow meter's accuracy meets your usage conditions.)

    V. Installation Environment

    Whether the equipment can be shut down, whether pipe cutting is necessary, and the installation location must be considered when selecting a flow meter:

    • Determine if the equipment can be shut down and pipes cut for flow meter installation: When the pipeline cannot be stopped or cut, it's recommended to use non-intrusive flow meters like ultrasonic flow meters, although installing without cutting the pipeline usually requires a higher budget.
    • Select the connection method based on the pipe material: Choosing an appropriate connection method can enhance the sealing of the flow meter. Metal pipes (such as stainless steel, copper) usually require welding or flange connections, while plastic pipes (such as PVC, PPH) often use adhesive bonding or threaded connections.
    • Pay attention to corrosion resistance requirements: When the fluid is corrosive, you need to choose flow meter materials with good chemical resistance, such as engineering plastics (PVC, PPH, PVDF, PFA).
    • Note whether the installation position is horizontal or vertical?
     
    Flow meter installed on a horizontal pipe
    There are considerations when installing on horizontal or vertical pipes; choose the flow meter based on site conditions. If installed on a horizontal pipe, it's best to install at a low point or the bottom of a U-shaped pipe, because insufficient pressure at higher points and incomplete filling of the pipe can lead to inaccurate flow measurements.

    If installed on a vertical pipe, it's recommended to install the flow meter where the liquid flows upward from bottom to top. If the liquid flows from top to bottom, it may create segmented falling flow, causing unstable flow rates. Therefore, install the flow meter on a pipe section where the liquid flows upward.
    Flow meter installed on a vertical pipe

    VI. Purchase Cost and Special Certifications

    When purchasing a flow meter, besides the price of the flow meter itself, you also need to consider installation, maintenance, and operating costs. For example, electronic flow meters have a long service life but may require periodic calibration.
    Additionally, consider whether you have special certification requirements for the flow meter, especially in industrial environments with high safety and explosion-proof demands. Special certifications include:
    CE: The European Union's safety, health, and environmental standards; all equipment sold in the EU must comply with these regulations.  
    UL: U.S. safety certification, mainly for electrical safety and fire protection, widely used in the North American market.  
    ATEX: European explosion-proof certification for explosive environments, applicable to high-risk areas like chemical and petroleum industries.  
    Measurement Certification: Certification for flow meter accuracy and measurement compliance to ensure the accuracy of commercial measurements.

    ➤ Flow Meter Cost Reference Table:
    Based on price ranges of flow meters found on Amazon and Alibaba, using DN25 (1 inch) as the standard:
    • High Cost: Above 15,000 TWD
    • Medium Cost: 5,000~15,000 TWD
    • Low Cost: Below 5,000 TWD

    Flow Meter Type
    Purchase Cost
    1. Ultrasonic Flow Meter Medium to High
    2. Paddle Wheel Flow Meter Medium
    3. Variable Area Flow Meter (Rotameter) Low
    4. Coriolis Flow Meter Medium
    5. Positive Displacement Flow Meter (Gear Flow Meter) Medium
    6. Vortex Flow Meter High
    7. Turbine Flow Meter Medium
    8. Differential Pressure Flow Meter Low
    9. Electromagnetic Flow Meter High
    10. Thermal Mass Flow Meter High
    (This table is for initial selection reference only. Due to varying characteristics of flow meters from different manufacturers, it is recommended to consult catalogs or contact manufacturers to confirm whether the flow meter price meets your cost considerations.)

    VII. Signal Transmission

    In some cases, there is a need for flow data storage and transmission. You should ensure that the signal transmission method is compatible with other equipment, such as Pulse, 4-20mA, RS485, I/O LINK, etc.
    For example, recent "Energy Management Act" regulations require equipment in buildings and workplaces to submit annual energy reports. This necessitates flow meters with data collection capabilities. When purchasing flow meters, pay attention to whether the communication interfaces and protocols are compatible.
    Learn more:
    Ultrasonic Flow Meters Simplify Energy Reporting
    What Is Analog Current Output?
    What Is RS485?
    What Is a Switch Signal?

    VIII. Summary of Various Flow Meter Features

    Flow Meter Type
     Pressure Range Fluid Temperature  Turndown Ratio  Accuracy Range  Purchase Cost
    1. Ultrasonic Flow Meter  High  Low to High High High Medium to High
    2. Paddle Wheel Flow Meter  Low  Medium Medium Low Medium
    3. Variable Area Flow Meter  Low  Medium Low Low Low
    4. Coriolis Flow Meter  Medium  Low to High Low High Medium
    5. Positive Displacement Flow Meter  Medium  Low to Medium Low Medium to High  Medium
    6. Vortex Flow Meter  Medium  Low to High Medium Medium High
    7. Turbine Flow Meter  Medium  Medium Low  Medium Medium
    8. Differential Pressure Flow Meter  High  Low to High Medium High  Low
    9. Electromagnetic Flow Meter  Medium  Medium Medium High High
    10. Thermal Mass Flow Meter  Low to Medium  Low to High High High High
    (This table is for initial selection reference only. Due to varying characteristics of flow meters from different manufacturers, it is recommended to refer to catalogs or consult manufacturers to confirm whether the flow meter price meets your cost considerations.)
    We hope the above content helps you select the right flow meter. With 30 years of professional experience in the fluid field, LORRIC is dedicated to providing customers with reliable products and services. We offer a variety of flow meters for purchase. You can click on the flow meter names in the table to visit each product page for more details or leave a message. If you have other purchasing or technical questions, feel free to contact us!
    Learn more:
    Understand Different Types of Flow Meters in 5 Minutes

    References

    1. ^ How to Choose the Right Ultrasonic Flow Meter - Cross
    2. ^ What is an Ultrasonic Flow Meter? - OMEGA
    3. ^ 10 Parameters for Choosing the Optimal Mass Flowmeter for an Application - P.I. Process Instrumentation
    4. ^ A Guide to Positive Displacement Flow Meters - Flow Metrics
    5. ^ Positive Displacement Meters: Pros, Cons, and Selection - EngineerLive
    6. ^ Advantages of Vortex Technology - Emerson
    7. ^ A Guide to Choosing the Right Turbine Flow Meter for Your Industrial Needs - Smart Measurement
    8. ^ Turbine Flow Meter Explained | Operation and Calibration - RealPars
    9. ^ Differential Pressure Flow Meters - OMEGA
    10. ^ Laminar Flowmeters - Control Automation
    11. ^ Important Considerations for Choosing an Electromagnetic Flow Meter - ESE Magazine
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    Bobby Brown    2023-8-8

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