When it comes to water usage , sustainability and corporate savings boil down to the same basic challenge : measuring water in versus water out .
the removal of the old meter . Hot tapping means they can be installed under full pressure without shutdown . If there is a subsequent issue with the meter , removal takes just a few minutes . Should it need to be replaced , a new meter can be inserted in its place without having to create a new tapping point . Installing an FPI mag meter means installing a metering point for the life of the facility .
2 . No instrumentation where required . Many processing plants either have insufficient measurement points or don ’ t have them in effective locations . This could be due to original instrumentation omissions or because of internal changes / reconfigurations . While full-bore mag meters are considered the go-to technology , these devices are difficult to install retrospectively . Processes must be stopped , lines drained , pipes cut , and flanges welded , before the new meter can be bolted in place .
FPI mag meters solve this problem extremely well for main line sizes above 6 ”. FPI meters solve the same issues whether the line is 4 ” or 120 ” and are certainly more cost effective at the larger line sizes . These meters are hot tapped , which requires minimal welding and , most importantly , can be done on a live process . The full-profile sensor measures multiple points across the pipe , accounting for turbulence and facilitating accurate
The conical shape of the V-Cone differential pressure ( DP ) meter gently pushes steam around the outside of the meter , which allows the device to take accurate readings even amidst turbulence . Thus , the V-Cone can be placed anywhere in the pipe network without regard for straight runs .
measurements regardless of the amount of or proximity to bends and valves .
3 . Achieving sustainability goals / saving money . When it comes to water usage , sustainability and corporate savings boil down to the same basic challenge : measuring water in versus water out . Using FPI meters , food and beverage processing plants can measure incoming water with ± 0.5 % accuracy which is the highest of any hot-tapped meter . The easy hot-tap installation means that these meters can be placed in nearly any location . With enough meters , plants can use data to reduce waste via repaired leaks and discover areas where water can be reused rather than dumped , and more .
STEAM MEASUREMENT CHALLENGES
4 . Long straight pipe requirements . Measuring steam imposes similar but distinct challenges and very different technological solutions . Firstly , there is the need for long straight runs prior to the meter . Orifice plate differential pressure ( DP ) meters , a decades-old industry standard for steam measurement , requires about 30 ’ of straight pipe . Orifice plates are very sensitive to turbulence , which can cause puddling , inhibiting proper measurement .
V-Cone DP meters conical shape resolves this by pushing turbulence to the outside of the device ( Top image ). This eliminates the need for long straight runs , allowing the V-Cone to be installed anywhere in the system and still maintain a ± 0.5 % accuracy .
5 . Tighter control on low flows . Steam is an expensive commodity . Unfortunately , orifice plates often fail to read at low flow rates , making it difficult to control the amount of steam being used . Another advantage of V-Cones is that they have a sensor opening about the size of the inner pipe diameter , which allows it to operate lower in the flow range than orifice plates . Its ± 0.5 % accuracy further improves the level of control and reduces expensive waste .
6 . Too much maintenance . Orifice plate meters must be checked and sometimes replaced every few years . Their design forces the steam over the rim of the plate , which mars the edges and , over time , reduces the effectiveness of the device . V-Cones ’ conical shape changes the friction dynamic , gently directing the steam to the outside of device , as opposed to presenting a flat obstruction . As such , they are known to last around 25 years without maintenance .
7 . Off-the-shelf solutions won ’ t work . Whether it ’ s an unusual pipe diameter or another challenge , sometimes a standard solution won ’ t suit the application . V-Cones can be customized based on specific application needs , including exotic materials , end connections , taps , and more .
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