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Alicat Whisper Flow Meter: Low Pressure Drop Gas Sizing Equipment Specifications
Quick Answer: The Alicat Whisper flow meter measures gas mass flow with a pressure drop below 0.07 psi at full scale. Most engineers size this device by actual flow range, gas type, and minimum inlet pressure. Silver Instruments supplies low pressure drop gas flow meters with similar accuracy and faster delivery for projects in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Why Low Pressure Drop Matters in Gas Flow Metering
Many gas processes in biogas plants, fuel cell test stands, and combustion research cannot afford a large pressure loss. A standard thermal mass flow meter with a bypass capillary may drop more than 2 psi at full scale. The Alicat Whisper series reduces this loss to under 0.07 psi on most ranges. That value is close to 4.8 mbar. Low pressure drop keeps blower load low. It also protects sensitive reactors that run at near atmospheric pressure.
We have seen this on customer sites many times. A biogas project in Vietnam had an inlet pressure of only 85 mbar. A standard meter with a 1.5 psi drop would have stopped the line. A low pressure drop meter solved the problem without changing the blower.
Key Specifications for Sizing
Alicat Whisper flow meters cover a wide range of gas flows. You can find full scale ranges from 0.5 sccm up to 500 slpm. Accuracy is usually 0.75 percent of reading or 0.1 percent of full scale, whichever is larger. Repeatability is 0.1 percent of full scale. Response time is around 10 ms. The device accepts more than 30 gases and gas mixtures. Maximum working pressure is 145 psia. Operating temperature ranges from minus 10 degrees Celsius to plus 50 degrees Celsius.
In practice, most engineers skip this part and oversize the meter. That hurts accuracy at low flow. For sizing, do not choose a meter based on pipe diameter alone. Use the actual flow rate, gas composition, and minimum pressure. For example, a DN15 biogas line may only carry 8 slpm. A 0-10 slpm Whisper meter is a better fit than a 0-50 slpm meter. The smaller range improves accuracy at low flow. The pressure drop stays under 0.07 psi at full scale.
Sizing Example for a Biogas Project in Vietnam
Last year a customer in Vietnam asked us about a biogas analyzer loop. Gas pressure was 80 mbar. Flow rate ranged from 2 to 18 slpm. Pipe size was DN15. Gas composition was 60 percent methane and 40 percent carbon dioxide. The customer first selected a thermal mass flow meter with a 0.5 psi drop. That selection would have reduced the available pressure by more than 7 percent. We recommended a low pressure drop mass flow meter with a full scale of 0-20 slpm. Pressure drop at full flow stayed under 5 mbar. The analyzer loop worked without a booster blower.
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Silver Instruments offers thermal mass flow meters for low pressure gas applications. Our gas flow meters cover pipe sizes from DN15 to DN100. Flow ranges start at 0.3 slpm and go up to 400 slpm for many gases. Accuracy is plus or minus 1 percent of reading for most industrial ranges. Response time is under 2 seconds. The pressure drop depends on the flow tube design. We supply inline and insertion types for air, biogas, natural gas, and process gas. Our engineers size each meter based on your pressure, temperature, and gas composition.
For low pressure biogas lines in Southeast Asia and Oceania, we often configure a thermal mass flow meter with a direct flow body. This option avoids a bypass capillary. That design reduces pressure drop and clogging risk. The output includes 4-20 mA HART, RS485, and optional pulse. For hazardous areas, we offer ATEX Zone 1 and Zone 2 versions. This is not a universal statement. We check each project before quoting.
How to Send a Quote Request
Send us your pressure in bar or mbar, temperature in degrees Celsius, pipe size in DN, gas type, and flow range. Add your process connection and output signal if you know them. For example, write: biogas, 80 mbar, 25 degrees Celsius, DN15, 2-18 slpm, 4-20 mA HART. Our engineers will return a sizing sheet and price for a low pressure drop gas flow meter.
You can reach Silver Automation Instruments by phone at +86-135-1213-1526. For WhatsApp, use 86-135-12131526. For WeChat, add +86 13512131526. We respond within one business day for standard requests.
FAQ
What is the pressure drop of the Alicat Whisper flow meter?
The pressure drop at full scale is typically under 0.07 psi or 4.8 mbar. Actual pressure drop depends on the flow range and gas type.
How do I size a low pressure drop gas flow meter?
Use the actual gas flow range, gas composition, minimum inlet pressure, and pipe size. Do not size by pipe diameter alone.
Can Silver Instruments supply a direct replacement for the Alicat Whisper?
We supply low pressure drop thermal mass flow meters with similar output options. Send us your current flow range and gas data. We will propose a compatible model.
What gases can these meters handle?
Common gases include air, biogas, natural gas, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and process gas mixtures. We confirm compatibility before quoting.
What output signals are available?
Standard outputs include 4-20 mA HART, RS485, and pulse. Optional outputs include MODBUS and wireless for some models.
Silver Automation Instruments serves industrial end users and distributors in Southeast Asia, Oceania, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. We focus on gas flow meters, liquid flow meters, pressure transmitters, and paperless recorders.
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