Turbine type flow meter is a Volume flowmeter. Turbine flow meters use the mechanical energy of the liquid or gas to rotate a rotor in the flow stream. The rotational speed of the rotor is proportional to the velocity of the fluid. In multiple industries, Turbine meters are used to measure the velocity of a variety of liquids, gases and vapors.

Turbine flow meter is the most popular equipment to measure flow electronically. Offer a wide flow and application rangeability. Turbine Flow Meters are easy to maintain, durable and versatile.

Liquid Turbine Flow Meters
Turbine Flow Meters

What is a turbine flow meter?

SI-LWGY Sanitary turbine flow meter

A turbine flowmeter is a flowmeter that uses a turbine for measurement. It first converts the flow rate to the speed of the turbine. And then converts the speed into an electrical signal that is proportional to the flow. Turbine flow meter is used to detect the instantaneous flow and the total accumulated flow. And its output signal is frequency, which is easy to digitize.

Turbine flow meter advantages and disadvantages

Turbine Meter Advantages

  • The cost is moderate.
  • Very good at clean, low viscosity fluids of moderate velocity and a steady rate.
  • Turndown is very good as it can read very low compared to the greatest flow.
  • They are reliable if put in a clean fluid especially if it has some lubricity.
  • AGA and API approved for custody transfers.
  • They do cause some pressure drop where that may be a factor such as gravity flows.
  • High accuracy. Among all flowmeters, it is the most accurate flowmeter.
  • No zero drift, good anti-interference ability.
  • High accuracy. Among all flowmeters, it is the most accurate flowmeter.
  • No zero drift, good anti-interference ability.

Turbine Meter Disadvantages

  • Not reliable for steam.
  • Bearings wear out.
  • Requires constant backpressure to prevent cavitation.
  • Accuracy adversely affected by bubbles in liquids.
  • Turbine meters can be used with clean liquids and gases only (may need to install a strainer upstream to prevent damage from particulates).
  • Not applicable for measuring corrosive fluids.
  • May not function properly with high viscosity fluids where the flow profile is laminar.
  • Cannot maintain calibration characteristics for a long time.

Turbine flow meter principle

Turbine meters are simple to operate and maintain. Turbine type flow meter is a reliable, cost-effective method for accurate flow measurement. Turbine flow meters are designed to maximize throughout and minimize pressure drop. Turbine meters can maintain high flow rates over an extended flow range and offer pulse output linear to the flow rate. The turbine meters also minimize fluid measurement uncertainty. By delivering high-frequency pulse resolution to account for minute increments of the flow rate.

A turbine flow meter is constructed with rotor and blades. Turbine meters use the mechanical energy of the fluid to rotate the rotor in the flow stream. The turbine, installed in the fluid pipeline, is supported by bearings at both ends. When the fluid passes through the turbine, the fluid impacts the turbine blades and drives the turbine blades to rotate. The sensor of the turbine flowmeter measures the flow rate through the angular velocity of the turbine blades. The method used by the turbine flowmeter is that the angular velocity of the blade is proportional to the fluid velocity.

Turbine flow meter’s angular velocity is detected by a sensing coil mounted on the casing. Turbine blades cut magnetic field lines generated by permanent magnetic steel in the casing. Changes in the magnetic flux of the sensing coil. The sensing coil sends the detected periodic change signal of the magnetic flux to the amplifier of the measuring instrument. The amplifier amplifies and shapes the signal.At the same time, the pulse signal is sent to the frequency current conversion circuit. Convert the pulse signal into an analog current amount, which then indicates the instant Flow value.

Liquid Turbine Flow Meters
Liquid Turbine Flow Meters

Extended reading: Turbine Flow Meter Specification

A flow transmitter processes the pulse signal to determine the flow of the fluid. Flow transmitter and sensing systems are available to sense flow in both the forward and reverse flow directions. 

Turbine flow meter Equation

In a certain flow range, the pulse frequency f is proportional to the instantaneous flow rate Q of the fluid flowing through the sensor.

The flow equation is:

Q = 3600 × f / k

In the formula:

f——pulse frequency [Hz];

k——meter coefficient [1 / m] of the sensor, given by the checklist. If [1 / L] is the unit

Q = 3.6 × f / kQ——the instantaneous flow of the fluid (in the working state) [m3 / h];

3600-conversion factor.

The instrument coefficient of each sensor is filled in the verification certificate by the manufacturer. The value of k is set in the matching display instrument, and the instantaneous flow and cumulative total can be displayed.

Extended reading: Quantitative control with turbine flowmeter

What is K factor in turbine flow meter?

The turbine meter measures volumetric flow, however the pulses produced vary depending on the meter. The variation is accounted for by a K-factor. The K-factor is the number of pulses per unit volume.

Simply stated a K-factor is a dividing factor. The term is usually encountered. When dealing with pulse signals although analog K-factors are sometimes used.

How do you calculate K factor for a turbine flow meter?

The frequency of the output pulse is proportional to the flow through the flowmeter, and its proportionality factor K is:

K = f / qv

Where:

f–the output pulse frequency of the turbine flowmeter;

qv–flow through the flowmeter.

This proportionality factor K is also called the meter factor of the turbine flowmeter.

Gas turbine flow meter

Gas Turbine Flow Meters applications
Gas Turbine Flow Meters applications

Gas Turbine Flow Meter, is the flange type turbine flow meter. Turbine flow meter is the most popular equipment to measure flow electronically. They offer a wide flow and application rangeability. 

Sino-Instrument’s GAS Turbine Flow Meter, is perfect choice for natural gas flow rate measurement. Turbine flow meters are suitable for gas and liquid measurement. They offer a wide flow and application rangeability. Turbine Flow Meters are easy to installation, maintain, durable and versatile.

Turbine water flow meter

Liquid Turbine Flow, is the turbine flow meter that suitable for liquid flow rate measurement. Like water flow, Diesel flow. Turbine flow meter is the most popular equipment to measure flow electronically. They offer a wide flow and application rangeability. Turbine Flow Meters are easy to maintain, durable and versatile.

Full bore turbine flow meters are suitable for hot and cold water applications. The impeller which is of modern design, rotates on stainless spindles mounted in the measuring chamber. The impeller is made of self-cleaning synthetic resin. The helix aligns with the pipe axis. The complete metering unit is easily removable from the meter body. And is designed to ensure high flow-rate with the smallest headloss. Versions for warm water up to 90°C and telemetering (complete with a pulse output) are also available.

Liquid Turbine Flow Meters
Liquid Turbine Flow Meters

Read more Turbine Flow Meter Application Case: Demineralized Water.

Low flow turbine flow meter

The small Diameter (small flow) liquid turbine flow meter, is a precision flow measuring instrument,that can be used to measure the flow and total volume of liquids. The structure is explosion-proof and can show the total flow, instantaneous flow and percentage of flow fullness. It is widely used in measurement and control systems in petroleum, chemical, metallurgical, scientific research and other fields. Sensors equipped with sanitary fittings can be used in the pharmaceutical industry.

Turbine flow meter price

Sino-Inst is a Turbine flow meter manufacturer, China. Sino-Inst offers over 10 turbine flow meter products. A wide variety of turbine flow meter options are available to you, such as free samples, paid samples. The price of turbine flow meters are decided by flollowing factors:

  • Pipe diameter;
  • Flow range;
  • Measured medium;
  • Whether it is corrosive;
  • Whether explosion protection is required;
  • Whether it needs local display;
  • Connection method;
  • Measure pressure;
  • Measure temperature;
  • Signal output;
  • Accuracy requirements;
  • Material requirements;

For example, Model DN15 Turbine flow meter’s price is around USD 140.00/pc.

More about: Best Price Turbine Flow Meters From Reliable Manufacturer

Electromagnetic flow meter

A Magnetic flow meter, also called electromagnetic flow meter, mag flow meter, or magmeters. A magnetic flow meter is a volumetric flow meter that works with principle of magnetic technology. Magnetic flow meters do not have any moving parts. An electromagnetic flowmeter consists of two parts: Electrode (sensor) and Transmitter. Installation types of magmeters could be: Compact, remote, insertion.

Magnetic flow meter is ideal for wastewater applications or any dirty liquid which is conductive or water based. Magnetic flow meters are also ideal for applications where low-pressure drop and low maintenance required. A range of liner materials, electrode options, and line sizes accommodate a wide variety of process application.

Extended reading: Industrial Magmeters

How does an electromagnetic flow meter work?

Magnetic flow meters use a magnetic field to generate and channel liquid flow through a pipe.
A voltage signal is created, when a conductive liquid flows through the flowmeter’s magnetic field.
The faster the flow of the fluid, the greater the voltage signal generated.
Electrode sensors located on the flow tube walls pick up the voltage signal. And send it to the electronic transmitter, which processes the signal to determine liquid flow.

More about Magnetic flow meter.

What is Flow Transmitter working principle?

Flow Metering Principles

From the measurement principle, the flowmeter can be divided into Volumetric flowmeters and Mass flwo meters.

VOLUMETRIC FLOWMETERS:

  • Differential Head type
    • Orifice plates
    • Venturi meters
    • Annubar
  • Differential Area type (Rotameters)
  • Electromagnetic flowmeters
  • Ultrasonic flowmeters
  • Turbine flowmeters
  • Vortex flowmeters
  • Positive Displacement Meters

MASS FLOWMETERS:

For different working principle, We offer different types of flow meters, like:

How does a pulse flow meter work?

The frequency signal is converted into a digital signal for display. This is called a pulse flow meter. The pulse is the output signal of the flow meter. It is a pulse output. Now the standard output of most flow meters is 4-20MA, which can also be made into a pulse output.

Turbine flowmeters use the mechanical energy of the fluid to rotate a “pinwheel” (rotor) in the flow stream. Blades on the rotor are angled to transform energy from the flow stream into rotational energy. The rotor shaft spins on bearings. When the fluid moves faster, the rotor spins proportionally faster. Turbine flowmeters now constitute 7% of the world market.

Shaft rotation can be sensed mechanically or by detecting the movement of the blades. Blade movement is often detected magnetically, with each blade or embedded piece of metal generating a pulse. Turbine flowmeter sensors are typically located external to the flowing stream to avoid material of construction constraints that would result if wetted sensors were used. When the fluid moves faster, more pulses are generated. The transmitter processes the pulse signal to determine the flow of the fluid. Transmitters and sensing systems are available to sense flow in both the forward and reverse flow directions.

Where are flow meters used?

Where are flow meters used? Or, What does a flow meter measure?

At industrial sites, meters that measure fluid flow are referred to as flow meters or flow sensors.

It is one of the most important instruments in industrial measurement.

With the development of industry, the accuracy and range of flow measurement requirements are getting higher and higher.

In order to adapt to various purposes, various types of flowmeters have been successively launched,

widely used in oil and gas, petrochemical, water treatment, food and beverage.

Industries such as pharmaceuticals, energy, metallurgy, pulp and paper, and building materials.

  1. Measurement of gas mass flow in industrial pipelines
  2. Smoke flow rate measurement from the chimney
  3. Calciner flue gas flow measurement
  4. Air flow measurement during gas process
  5. Compressed air flow measurement
  6. Gas flow measurement during semiconductor chip manufacturing process
  7. Gas flow measurement in sewage treatment
  8. Gas flow measurement in heating ventilation and air conditioning systems
  9. Flux recovery system gas flow measurement
  10. Measurement of combustion gas flow in a combustion boiler
  11. Gas flow measurement of natural gas, flare gas, hydrogen, etc.
  12. Measurement of carbon dioxide gas flow during beer production
  13. Measurement of gas mass flow in the production process of cement, cigarette and glass factory
  14. Open channel

Sino-Instrument offers over 50 flow meter for flow measurement.

About 50% of these are differential pressure flow meters, 40% is the liquid flow sensor, and 20% are Ultrasonic Level Transmitter and mass flow meter.

A wide variety of flow meters options are available to you, such as free samples, paid samples.

Sino-Instrument is a globally recognized supplier and manufacturer of flow measurement instrumentation, located in China.

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