Fuel Flow Meter for Boat refers to a flow meter dedicated to measuring marine fuel. There are many types of marine fuel oil. Mainly include light diesel, heavy diesel, fuel oil, and residual fuel oil. Specifically include: 0# diesel, -10# diesel, 20# heavy diesel, 4# fuel oil, 120# fuel oil, 180# fuel oil, 380# fuel oil, etc.
Therefore, select the appropriate flow meter to monitor the fuel flow and manage the fuel filling or consumption. This is important for controlling fuel costs.

Fuel Flow Meter for Boat

At present, ships are in the process of refueling, especially for heavy fuel oil. The traditional method of measuring tank capacity is used to calculate the quantity of fuel oil. This method is very cumbersome and the accuracy is not high. And if the fuel flow meter is used, the above shortcomings can be well overcome.

There are many kinds of flowmeters on the market now, which makes it difficult for designers to choose their models. Different types of flowmeters have different characteristics. When choosing a suitable flowmeter according to the characteristics of the ship’s fuel oil, good test results can be achieved.

Instruments that measure the flow or total volume in pipe flow or open channel flow are collectively referred to as flow meters. There are many types of flow measurement methods and meters. The measuring principle, structural characteristics, scope of application and method of use are different.

Up to now, there are more than 60 types of flow meters available for industrial use. Because so far, there is no flow meter that can be used for any fluid, any range, any flow state, and any use condition.

There are many ways to classify flow meters. According to different classification principles, the classification methods are also different. Classified by principle, flow meters can be divided into three types: volumetric, velocity and differential pressure.

One of the more popular classification methods is from the measurement method and structure classification. It can be divided into: differential pressure flowmeter, positive displacement flowmeter, float flowmeter, impeller flowmeter, electromagnetic flowmeter, fluid oscillating flowmeter, ultrasonic flowmeter, mass flowmeter, plug-in flowmeter, open channel flowmeter There are 11 categories with other flow meters.

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Precautions for flowmeter selection

  1. The performance of the flow meter

The performance of the flowmeter is embodied in the flow range, linearity, repeatability and accuracy.

The flow rate range is the range defined by the minimum flow rate and the maximum flow rate. When selecting the type, pay attention that the flowmeter cannot exceed this range under normal use conditions.

Linearity indicates the degree of consistency between the flow characteristic curve and the specified straight line in the entire flow range. According to this feature, the flowmeter output can be divided into linear and nonlinear square roots.

The non-linear error has a great influence on the pulse output type flowmeter with a large flow range. Repeatability refers to the consistency of the results obtained from multiple measurements of the same measured under the premise of the same conditions.

Generally, the higher the repeatability, the more concentrated the measurement value. Accuracy refers to the degree of agreement between the measured value and the actual value.

The lower the accuracy of the meter, the greater the error. The greater the deviation between the measured value and the actual value. When determining the accuracy, it should be selected according to the accuracy requirements of the actual measurement.

Extended Reading: Mechanical flow meter for diesel

  1. Working conditions

The working conditions that affect the flowmeter measurement mainly include temperature and electromagnetic interference.

The volumetric flowmeter uses a constant volume chamber to measure the flow rate. The material of the mechanical parts constituting the chamber is generally made of steel.

It becomes brittle when the temperature is low, and expands when the temperature is high. The pressure is limited at low temperatures.

For example, the twin-screw flowmeter in the fuel viscosity unit of the main engine on the actual ship. The rotor is often stuck during the light-to-heavy oil conversion. This is the reason.

In addition to the above and other conditions, it should be considered. Because of the particularity of the ship’s working environment, it is different from land. When choosing a flowmeter for a ship, it should also be combined with the actual working environment of the ship. Consider other factors that may affect the flowmeter. .

Ships are inevitably affected by many factors when sailing on the water, such as vibration, roll, impact, erosion, and sudden changes in climate. The operating environment is quite harsh. In order to ensure that the instrument can operate reliably and accurately in actual use, marine requirements must be considered when selecting models.

  1. Installation conditions

The installation conditions depend on the requirements of the site space and orientation. Specific instruments have special requirements. Therefore, the installation conditions should be given full attention.

For example, a positive displacement flow meter often requires the installation direction and flow direction of the sensor to be horizontal, vertical and horizontal respectively.
Positive displacement flow meters are sensitive to impurities and require filtration accuracy. Sometimes a filter device is needed. The float type flowmeter is more sensitive to the flow rate. Therefore, in order to eliminate the influence on the measurement. When limited by space, there are also flow regulators. Therefore, the space and orientation of the work site must be considered during installation.

Extended reading: Orifice Plate Flow Meter

Selection of Fuel Flow Meter for Boat

  1. Fuel performance

Fuel oil is a mixed liquid whose viscosity changes greatly with temperature, and there are many impurities in it.
Generally, when fuel oil is installed, it is realized through a closed delivery pipeline. The type of fuel generally installed on real ships is F120, and its density at 20°C is 981.6㎏/m3.

Combine these properties of fuel. Compared with the performance analysis of various flowmeters introduced above. Although volumetric flowmeters and turbine flowmeters have high accuracy, they have high requirements for fluid cleanliness. Electromagnetic flowmeters are only suitable for conductive liquids, so they are not applicable here. Coriolis mass flow meters can be used, but the cost is higher. Differential pressure flow meters are also optional. However, it is necessary to cooperate with a differential pressure transmitter for flow measurement and control.

  1. Working conditions of fuel flow meter

When the fuel flow meter is working, the temperature of the fuel passing through the flow meter is about 40°C. The agreed pump speed is 12m3/h, and the agreed maximum pump pressure is 0.4MPa. The amount of fuel added this time is 240t.

According to these few data, in the further flowmeter selection. Float flow meters should also be excluded. According to the characteristics of the float flowmeter, set up and measure the small flow of fluid. However, when the fuel is installed, the quantity is too large and it is not suitable for selection.

The vortex flowmeter works by using the principle of fluid oscillation. Avoid strong vibration when installing the sensor. However, according to the working conditions of the ship, the vibration and noise are very large. If a vortex flowmeter is selected, the measurement accuracy will be greatly affected in actual use.

It can be generally determined that both the differential pressure flowmeter and the ultrasonic flowmeter meet the requirements. Also, gear flow meters, mass flow meters, etc. These types of flow meters have a wide range of applications and are suitable for a variety of liquids.

Extended Reading: Guide and Selection for Diesel Fuel Flow Meters

Featured Fuel Flow Meter for Boat

Diesel Fuel Flow Meters

The intelligent liquid turbine flowmeter is a new type of intelligent instrument that integrates the turbine flow sensor and display integration, which is developed by using advanced ultra-low power single-chip microcomputer technology. It has a compact structure, intuitive and clear reading, and high reliability. Not subject to external power supply. Obvious advantages such as lightning resistance and low cost.

Turbine Digital Flow Meter is widely used to measure the corrosion of stainless steel 1Cr18Ni9Ti, 2Cr13, corundum Al2O3, and cemented carbide in closed pipelines, and there is no fiber, particles and other impurities. Liquids with kinematic viscosity less than 5×10-6m2/s at working temperature, and liquids with kinematic viscosity greater than 5×10-6m2/s. The flowmeter can be used after real liquid calibration. If matched with a display instrument with special functions. It can also carry out quantitative control, over-quantity alarm, and so on. It is an ideal instrument for flow measurement and energy saving.

Gear flow meter for Micro flow

A Cylinder gear flow meter is a micro digital positive displacement flow meter. Can measure very small flow rates and quantify small volumes of liquid. High and low-temperature resistance (-196℃-200℃).

Cylinder Gear flow meter is a type of positive displacement flow transmitter. It is a high-precision transmitter for measuring volumetric flow. With the flow of the medium, the gears mesh and rotate. Under the action of fluid flow. Measure the number of revolutions of the gear to know the flow of liquid and liquid flowing through the instrument. It is especially suitable for the flow measurement of heavy oil, polyvinyl alcohol, grease, and other high-viscosity media. It can measure the viscosity of Fluid up to 10000Pa.s.

Pointer Type Oval Gear Flow Meter

Oval gear flow meter is one of the typical positive displacement flow meters. Measure the flow of liquid filling the pipeline under a certain pressure.

Oval gear flow meter is a pointer display type positive displacement flowmeter. The word wheel accumulates counting, and can be equipped with a zero return device. Oval gear flowmeters are widely used in liquid flow control in various industrial fields. Applicable to various types of liquid measurement, such as crude oil, diesel, gasoline, etc. Choose different manufacturing materials, such as crude oil, diesel, gasoline, etc. can be measured.

Helical Gear-PD Flow Meter

PD Flow Meter is referred to as positive displacement flowmeter. Helical Gear-PD Flow Meter is also called, spiral double rotor flowmeter, LLT, LZ double rotor flowmeter or UF-Ⅱ spiral rotor flowmeter.

As a high-precision flow meter, PD Flow Meter has an accuracy of 0.2 level. It is especially suitable for the measurement of industrial liquids such as crude oil, refined oil and light hydrocarbons. It is a new generation volumetric flowmeter. Because it uses a pair of spiral rotors with special teeth, it is also called “Helical Gear Flowmeter”.

Marine Fuel Mass Flow Meter (MFM)

Mass flow meter directly measures the mass flow of the medium passing through the flow meter. It can also measure the density, temperature and viscosity of the medium

The Singapore Standards Committee issued the new Singapore Standard SS6481-Marine Fuel Mass Flow Meter (MFM) Usage Guidelines. To support the shipping industry’s formal implementation of the “Sulfur Restriction Order” from January 1, 2020 to improve the low-sulfur fuel system. And Guidelines for improving and regulating MFM fuel filling behavior.

Regarding Singapore’s new SS6481-Marine Fuel Mass Flow Meter (MFM) Code of Conduct. The Director of the Technical Committee for Bunkering (Chairman, Technical Committee for Bunkering) Seah Khen Hee pointed out——
“Metrology and system integrity are the dual foundations of SS648. It is the foundation of MFM system approval and fuel metering and handover procedures.”

Extended reading:

Singapore launches enhanced mass-flow metering standard

Sino-Inst, Manufacuturer for Fuel Flow Meter for Boat. For example: crude oil flowmeter, diesel flowmeter, gasoline flowmeter.

Sino-Inst’s Fuel Flow Meter for Boat, made in China, Having good Quality, With better price. Our flow measurement instruments are widely used in China, India, Pakistan, US, and other countries.

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