『Krohne Gas Flow Meter Selection: Ultrasonic and Vortex Solutions for Saturated Vapor Lines』Related information(clamp on meter|electromagnetic meter|venturi meterrotameter|orifice meter|ultrasonic flow meter|mass flow meter|coriolis mass flow meter|coriolis flow meter|magnetic flow meter|magmeter flow meter|magflow flow meter|mag meter flow meter|electromagnetic flow meter|vortex flow meter|turbine flow meter|thermal mass flow meter|thermal flow meter|rotameter flow meter)
Krohne Gas Flow Meter Selection: Ultrasonic and Vortex Solutions for Saturated Vapor Lines
Quick Answer: For saturated vapor lines from DN50 to DN200, a vortex flow meter with pressure and temperature compensation is the most practical choice. For larger pipes above DN250 or lines that cannot be shut down, a clamp-on ultrasonic gas meter can work if condensate load and pipe wall data are checked. Send Silver Instruments your steam pressure in bar, temperature in °C, pipe size in DN, and flow range in kg/h for a direct quote.
Saturated vapor is not a clean dry gas. It sits at boiling point and carries condensate droplets. A flow meter on this line sees density changes, wet steam, and sometimes pipe vibration. Those conditions decide the meter type before brand names matter.
Why Saturated Vapor Lines Need Careful Meter Selection
A saturated vapor line operates near the saturation curve. A small pressure drop or heat loss turns some vapor into liquid. The gas density moves with pressure and temperature. A standard gas flow meter with a fixed density setting will drift. Engineers need either a density-compensated vortex meter or an ultrasonic meter with a reliable sound speed path.
We have seen this on customer sites in Malaysia and Vietnam. Steam flow readings shifted 12 percent after pressure changed by 1 bar. The meter was not faulty. The compensation settings were missing.
Vortex Flow Meters for Saturated Vapor
A vortex flow meter works well on saturated vapor lines because it measures volumetric flow from the shedding frequency. The sensor body has no moving parts. With an integrated PT100 temperature probe and a pressure transmitter, the electronics calculate mass flow in kg/h using steam tables. This setup handles density changes automatically.
We recommend a vortex meter for saturated steam from DN25 to DN200. At DN15, the pipe velocity is usually too low for a stable vortex signal. At DN250 and above, an insertion type vortex meter is common because a full bore meter gets heavy and expensive.
In practice, a palm oil refinery in Indonesia runs saturated steam at 8 bar and 175 °C in a DN80 pipe. They use a Silver Instruments vortex flow meter with 4-20 mA HART output and a local display. Flow range is 400 to 4000 kg/h. The meter has worked for two years with no vortex sensor replacement.
Ultrasonic Flow Meters for Vapor Lines
Ultrasonic gas flow meters are not the default choice for saturated vapor. Wet steam droplets weaken the acoustic signal. A clamp-on ultrasonic meter also depends on a clean pipe surface and correct pipe wall thickness. But in some jobs, an ultrasonic meter is the right tool.
Large pipe sizes above DN200 with dry saturated vapor or superheated vapor can suit an ultrasonic meter. A flare line or a steam header that cannot be shut down may also need a clamp-on design. The meter calculates flow from transit time difference between upstream and downstream transducers. Some models can track gas velocity even if the pipe is insulated after installation.
We have seen a food processing plant in Thailand use a clamp-on
Krohne Meter Options and Where They Fit
Krohne offers both vortex and ultrasonic gas flow meters. Their vortex meters are often specified for utility steam and process vapor. Their ultrasonic meters target large gas pipelines, flare gas, and some steam applications. A Krohne meter can work well, but the model must match the line condition. We advise buyers to check the same data: steam quality, pipe schedule, pressure and temperature range, and turndown.
The cost difference is a real factor. A full bore vortex meter with a pressure transmitter and a flow computer is often less expensive than a clamp-on ultrasonic gas meter for a DN100 line. On a DN300 line, the ultrasonic meter may win on installation cost because no pipe cutting is needed.
Data We Need for a Quote
To select a saturated vapor flow meter, we need four values. Steam pressure in bar or kPa, temperature in °C, pipe size in DN or inches, and flow range in kg/h or t/h. Also tell us if the line can be shut down for a wafer or flanged installation. That point decides vortex versus clamp-on ultrasonic.
Send these values to Silver Automation Instruments. Our engineers will propose a model with the right body material, process connection, ATEX Zone 1 or Zone 2 rating if needed, and 4-20 mA HART output. We ship to Southeast Asia, Oceania, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East.
Contact us at Tel: +86-25-68650347, WhatsApp: +86-25-52155837, or WeChat: +86 15365082610. Use the same data set for a fast answer.
FAQ on Saturated Vapor Flow Meter Selection
Q: Can a standard vortex meter work with saturated steam?
Yes. A vortex flow meter with integrated pressure and temperature compensation works well on saturated steam from DN25 to DN200. The meter calculates mass flow from the vortex frequency and steam table density.
Q: Is clamp-on ultrasonic reliable on wet steam?
Usually not. Wet steam droplets reduce the acoustic signal. If steam quality is below 95 percent, a vortex meter with a drainage point is more stable. For dry saturated or superheated vapor above DN200, clamp-on ultrasonic can be reliable.
Q: What pipe size suits ultrasonic for vapor?
In most cases, DN200 and larger. Smaller pipes are possible, but the velocity and pipe wall data must be very accurate. The cost benefit also increases with pipe size.
Q: Do I need pressure and temperature compensation?
Yes, for saturated vapor mass flow. A fixed density setting will drift when steam pressure or temperature changes. Compensation is built into many Silver Instruments vortex flow meters.
Q: What flow range should I quote for a DN100 saturated vapor line?
A typical DN100 line at 7 bar saturated steam can measure between 250 and 5000 kg/h depending on velocity. Send us your exact pressure and temperature, and we will confirm the range.
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