Current position > Product detail
『Dickey John NH3 Flow Meter: Sourcing Liquid Anhydrous Ammonia Ammonia Elements』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)
Dickey John NH3 Flow Meter Sourcing for Liquid Anhydrous Ammonia
Quick Answer: Silver Automation Instruments supplies Coriolis mass flow meters for liquid anhydrous ammonia metering. A 316L stainless steel Coriolis meter with 4-20 mA HART and pulse output can replace a Dickey John NH3 flow meter in most nurse tank and toolbar systems. Send your flow range in kg/h, pressure in bar, and pipe size in DN for a fixed price quote.
We sell industrial flow meters from Nanjing, China. Our main markets include the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Australia, Mexico, Colombia, Nigeria, and Saudi Arabia. We ship by DHL or FedEx. Most NH3 flow meter orders reach customers in 5 to 9 days.
Liquid Anhydrous Ammonia Metering Is Not Standard Water Flow
Liquid anhydrous ammonia boils at minus 33 degrees Celsius at atmospheric pressure. That means the meter must hold back pressure to prevent flashing. A system running at 20 degrees Celsius sees a vapor pressure around 8.5 bar absolute. In practice, keep the flow meter under at least 2 bar above vapor pressure at the operating temperature. This keeps the liquid phase stable.
Material selection matters more than many engineers expect. Do not use copper or copper alloys in any wetted part. Ammonia attacks copper and brass. Silver Instruments uses 316L stainless steel for the sensor tube and process connections. That matches a Dickey John NH3 flow meter installation on most fertilizer rigs.
When you size a meter for this chemical, two ammonia elements dominate the selection: vapor pressure and copper attack.
Which Flow Meter Works Best for Anhydrous Ammonia
Coriolis mass flow meters are the strongest choice for liquid anhydrous ammonia. They measure mass flow directly in kg/h. Density compensation is not needed. A Coriolis meter also handles two phase fluid better than a turbine meter or vortex meter during startup and low flow conditions. Most engineers skip ultrasonic meters for small line sizes because of cost and installation constraints.
Here is the thing. A cheap turbine meter fails fast on ammonia because the liquid flashes at the rotor edge. We replace those meters every season in Southeast Asia.
Electromagnetic flow meters do not fit this application. Anhydrous ammonia has very low electrical conductivity. A mag meter cannot generate a stable flow signal. Oval gear meters can work if the liquid stays fully liquid, but vapor release damages the gears over time. We have seen this on customer sites many times with low back pressure.
Recommended Model for Dickey John NH3 Flow Meter Replacement
For typical NH3 rates between 100 kg/h and 3000 kg/h, use the Silver Instruments SIL-CMF-025 Coriolis mass flow meter. It has a DN25 316L stainless steel process connection. Accuracy is 0.2 percent of rate. The transmitter provides 4-20 mA HART, pulse output, and RS485 Modbus. Maximum working pressure is 40 bar. The meter works from minus 196 to plus 150 degrees Celsius.
For smaller toolbar sections, the SIL-CMF-015 with DN15 connection covers 20 to 600 kg/h. For larger nurse tank transfer pumps, the SIL-CMF-050 with DN50 connection covers 500 to 15000 kg/h. Each meter can be factory calibrated on liquid ammonia or on water with ammonia density factor entered into the transmitter.
Most Dickey John controllers accept a pulse input. The Silver Instruments
Last year a fertilizer distributor in Luzon asked us for a Dickey John NH3 flow meter replacement. He needed six meters for nurse tanks running at 10 bar discharge pressure. We supplied SIL-CMF-025 meters with pulse output. All units installed in one day.
Three Installation Details That Prevent Field Failures
Install the meter in a location with stable back pressure. A spring loaded check valve downstream helps during shutdown. This stops ammonia vapor from pushing back through the sensor tube.
Use a strainer upstream if the nurse tank has rust or debris. The Coriolis meter tube is not a filter. Solid particles at high velocity can erode the 316L tube over many seasons.
Ground the meter correctly. Static charge builds up when liquid ammonia moves through stainless steel. Use the grounding lug on the meter body. This protects the transmitter and improves signal stability.
Pricing and Lead Time
The SIL-CMF-015 starts at USD 1850. The SIL-CMF-025 starts at USD 2150. The SIL-CMF-050 starts at USD 2600. Prices are ex works Nanjing with standard 316L stainless steel and 4-20 mA HART. ATEX Zone 1 or IECEx certification adds USD 400 to USD 600 depending on the model. Lead time is 5 to 7 working days after payment.
We accept bank transfer in USD, EUR, AUD, and SGD. Dealer discounts apply for orders above 10 units per quarter. We work with small and mid size fertilizer equipment distributors. Many customers in the Philippines and Brazil buy 5 to 15 units per season.
FAQ: Dickey John NH3 Flow Meter Sourcing
Can a Coriolis meter replace a Dickey John NH3 flow meter directly?
Yes. The Coriolis meter provides pulse and analog outputs that connect to most rate controllers. You set the pulse scale in the controller. The mechanical fit may require a short adapter if the original meter used NPT threads.
What wetted parts are safe for liquid anhydrous ammonia?
Use 316L stainless steel and PTFE. Avoid copper, brass, aluminum, and Buna N seals. Silver Instruments uses stainless steel sensor tubes and PTFE sealing rings as standard.
What is the minimum back pressure for liquid NH3 metering?
Keep the pressure at least 2 bar above the vapor pressure at the operating temperature. For a hot afternoon at 35 degrees Celsius, the vapor pressure is around 13.5 bar absolute. So keep the meter above 15.5 bar absolute.
Does the meter need explosion proof certification?
Anhydrous ammonia is a hazardous fluid. Class 1 Zone 1 or Class 1 Division 1 certification is often required by site safety rules. Silver Instruments offers ATEX and IECEx certification for the SIL-CMF series.
How do I get a quote for an NH3 flow meter?
Send us the operating pressure in bar, temperature in degrees Celsius, pipe size in DN, and flow range in kg/h. Our engineers will select the model and confirm the pulse output configuration.
Contact Silver Automation Instruments for a fixed price and delivery schedule. Tel: +86-25-68650347. Whatsapp: +86-25-52155837. WeChat: +86 15365082610. Tell us the operating pressure in bar, temperature in degrees Celsius, pipe size in DN, and flow range in kg/h.