The key to energy management begins with flow measurement. There are many variables in large buildings, cities and complexes that can complicate the measurement.
As energy costs rise, energy efficiency becomes increasingly important. This has been recognized in both public and private sectors. Energy efficiency affects all aspects of our lives and no more so than in the building environment. Forty percent of energy consumption and carbon emissions in Europe and the United States comes from the way our buildings are lit, cooled and heated. Even comparatively small changes in energy performance and the way we use each building will have a significant effect in reducing total energy consumption.
Ultrasonic solutions for steam flow measurement can provide advantages over traditional technologies, such as:
- The ability to measure steam during the off-season, during lower consumption usage
- A wider range of coverage for flow rates
- Reduces steam generation costs due to no pressure drop
With in-line flow meters, the transducers can be installed in a flow cell or spool piece inserted into the pipe or they can be located directly inside the the pipe.
Ultrasonic flow meters have no moving parts to wear out. They do not obstruct the flow so do not create a pressure drop. They offer a wide turndown or rangeability and have high accuracy, according to their specific design.
DigitalFlow DF868 Applications: Cooling and heating water, water/glycol solutions, lubricating oils, solvents, chemicals, other liquids.
DigitalFlow GS868/XGS868i: Steam mass flow, saturated or superheated, steam for heating, ventilating and air conditioning.
Clamp-on meters, as the name suggests, simply clamp onto the outside of the pipe.
Ultrasonic flow meters have no moving parts to wear out. They do not obstruct the flow so do not create a pressure drop. They offer a wide turndown or rangeability and have high accuracy, according to their specific design.
AquaTrans AT600 Applications: Cooling and heating water, discharge water, potable water, treated water, other liquids or industrial fluids.
AquaTrans AT868 Applications: Cooling and heating water, discharge water, potable water, treated water, other liquids or industrial fluids.
TransPort PT900 Applications: Portable. Cooling and heating water, potable water, water/glycol solutions, wastewater, other liquids or industrial fluids.
The path to energy efficiency in buildings includes many steps. It is important that buildings are designed to conserve energy, in terms of the materials used and the insulation provided, to preserve the energy supplied to the building.
It is important that the lights within a building are used intelligently to maximize the use of natural daylight and to ensure that they are switched on only when required. It is important that any plant and machinery used in heating, cooling and air conditioning operate effectively and are serviced regularly to optimize efficiency.
There are many types of flow meters, both for water and for steam. This can make the correct selection of a flow technology a difficult task, as each offers different benefits and disadvantages. Let's review some meters commonly used for district energy flow measurement.
Magnetic flow meters
For measuring water flow, but cannot measure compressible fluids. typical accuracy of +/- 0.3% of reading and they do not create a pressure drop.
Vortex flow meters
Offer a cost-effective, accurate and reliable measurement for volumetric and mass flow of water and steam. They do not need re-calibration and can offer a volumetric flow rate repeatability of +/-0.1% of rate and a mass flow rate repeatability of +/-0.2% of rate.
Ultrasonic flow meters
Ultrasonic flow meters have been used for liquid flow measurement for more than 40 years. Ultrasonic flow meters have no moving parts to wear out. They do not obstruct the flow so do not create a pressure drop. They offer a wide turndown or rangeability and have high accuracy, according to their specific design.