Titan Enterprises develops bespoke calibration rigs to pioneer ultrasonic ultra-low flow measurement
VALVES & FLOW CONTROL PUSHING FLOW LIMITS
TITAN ENTERPRISES
Titan Enterprises develops bespoke calibration rigs to pioneer ultrasonic ultra-low flow measurement
Titan Enterprises has released a technical paper detailing how the company overcame calibration constraints encountered during the development of ultrasonic flowmeters for ultra-low flow applications. With no commercially available systems suited to the demands of its latest R & D programmes, Titan engineered bespoke calibration rigs to support the design, verification, and optimisation of next-generation flow measurement devices.
Titan’ s production calibration facilities currently incorporate three certified piston provers operating with distilled water from 2 ml / min to 200 l / min, delivering an uncertainty of ± 0.05 %. These rigs, however, are dedicated to production and could not accommodate the extended testing time, experimental conditions, and extreme flow sensitivities required for the company’ s new research initiatives. An additional rig capable of reliably monitoring ultra-low flows was therefore essential.
The new calibration rig underpins two major advances in Titan’ s ultrasonic technology:
1. an ultra-low flow ultrasonic meter with measurement capability down to 0.2 ml / min or below- extending performance beyond the current Atrato flowmeter;
2. a clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeter designed for disposable medical tubing. The clamp-on system targets small-batch monitoring of medicalgrade fluids used in applications such as dialysis equipment and bolus drug delivery, where sterile, accurate, and cost-efficient measurement is required.
To meet these objectives, Titan developed a miniature piston prover driven by dual synchronised stepping motors with rotational encoders for precise positional control. The rig provides fully computer-controlled flow profiles, bolus simulation, and comprehensive data output. Its design addressed a range of mechanical and hydraulic challenges including system bleeding, valve timing, linear motion stability, drive stiffness, temperature effects, tubing compliance, calibration accuracy, and integrated safety features such as end-of-stroke detection.
“ This custom-built rig represents a major step forward in Titan’ s commitment to precision flow measurement and advancing our R & D capabilities,” says Neil Hannay, Titan’ s Senior R & D Engineer.“ By developing our own calibration infrastructure, we’ re unlocking new performance frontiers for both industrial and medical flow applications.”
The project highlights Titan’ s ability to resolve practical R & D barriers through in-house engineering expertise. By controlling its calibration and test environment, the company can accelerate development cycles from concept to validated prototype. Proprietary software facilitates rapid scenario testing aligned with real-world customer conditions, ensuring optimised product performance.
The principles established in this calibration rig will guide future development of specialised tools and innovative fluid test units tailored to customer-specific requirements.
For the full technical paper, visit Titan’ s website or contact sales @ flowmeters. co. uk.
For further information, please visit www. flowmeters. co. uk
110 PECM Issue 78