Are you looking for a reliable flow meter to understand, control, or monitor fluid processes? At ManuFlo, a leading Australian company specializing in the manufacturing, sale, and servicing of top-quality flow meters, we recognize the importance of making the right choice. To help you through the selection process, we’ve compiled the top 7 considerations for choosing the perfect flow meter for your application.
1. Fluid Type – Understanding What You’re Measuring
The first step in selecting the right flow meter is understanding the type of fluid you need to measure. For liquid measurements, it’s essential to know if the fluid is clean or contains solid particles (a slurry). At ManuFlo, we offer a wide range of flow meters, including electromagnetic, ultrasonic, and Coriolis meters, suitable for clean and dirty fluids, ensuring both optimal performance and durability.
2. Viscosity and Flow Profile – Evaluating Fluid Thickness
The viscosity of the fluid (its thickness) plays a crucial role in determining the right flow meter. For high-viscosity fluids, like honey or thick oils, positive displacement meters, such as our oval gear flow meters, are ideal. Conversely, low-viscosity fluids like water or solvents can be accurately measured with velocity flow meters, such as our turbine meters.
3. Flow Rate Information – Knowing Maximum and Minimum Flows
Understanding your application’s maximum and minimum flow rates is critical to selecting the right meter size. At ManuFlo, we recommend operating meters within 20% to 80% of their maximum flow rate for optimal performance and longevity. This ensures that your meter functions efficiently without strain.
4. Temperature and Pressure Rating – Staying Within Safe Limits
Ensure that your chosen flow meter can handle the temperature and pressure of your application without compromising on accuracy or safety. Our flow meters are built from durable materials that consider both temperature and pressure, providing reliable results under varying conditions.
5. Accuracy, Repeatability, and Linearity – Precision is Key
The level of accuracy, repeatability, and linearity required depends on your specific application. Whether for dosing or custody transfer, ManuFlo offers flow meters that provide the necessary precision for each use case, ensuring you get the right level of measurement reliability.
6. Installation – Ensuring Proper Setup for Peak Performance
Proper installation is essential for getting the best performance out of your flow meter. Factors like piping configuration, straight run requirements, and meter orientation must be considered to ensure accurate and repeatable measurements. ManuFlo provides installation guidance to help you set up your system for success.
7. Output Indication – Display or Signal Output Based on Your Needs
Choosing the correct display or signal output is important for process control, billing, or monitoring. Our electronic flow meters offer versatile output options, while our displays integrate seamlessly with our meters to provide real-time data that meets your operational needs.
Certifications – Meeting Industry Standards for Safety
Certain applications require specific certifications to meet safety and industry standards. At ManuFlo, our flow meters comply with Australian safety standards (IEC) and have Weights and Measures approval for billing applications. We also offer industry-specific certifications, including those required for food and beverage applications.
Why Choose ManuFlo for Your Flow Meter Needs?
Selecting the right flow meter involves understanding the unique requirements of your application and choosing a meter that meets those needs with precision and reliability. At ManuFlo, we are committed to offering a diverse range of high-quality flow meters, backed by expert advice, to ensure your fluid processes run smoothly and efficiently.
Contact ManuFlo today to find the ideal flow meter solution for your industrial application, supported by our expertise and dedication to customer satisfaction.
