Installation Cautions for Flowmeters

In liquid service, be sure that the flowmeter is installed such that it remains full of liquid, because gas/vapor in the flowmeter can alter its geometry and adversely affect accuracy.

In gas/vapor service, be sure that the flowmeter is installed such that the flowmeter remains full of gas/vapor, because liquid in the flowmeter can alter its geometry and adversely affect accuracy.

Disturbances located upstream (and sometimes downstream) of the flowmeter, such as pipe elbows and control valves, can adversely affect measurement accuracy, because the flowmeter may not be able to accurately measure disturbed flow streams. Be sure to locate control valves downstream of the flowmeter so their flow disturbances are not introduced directly into the flowmeter (as they would be if located upstream). Also, be sure to properly design the upstream and downstream piping with sufficient straight run to remove disturbances that can affect measurement accuracy.

Be especially careful when flow is two-phase, such as liquid/gas flow and liquid/solid flow, because these flows can adversely affect the accuracy of many flowmeters. Be careful because some flowmeters can become plugged and stop working in liquid/solid flow streams.

Application Cautions for Flowmeters

Each type of flowmeter has its own specific applications and installation constraints. There is no "one size fits all" flowmeter. The way to select the right flowmeter is to use the application as your guide, not the technology. Many of these technologies will all work well on many applications. If you start with the application, you can select the technology you wish to use based on accuracy, cost, durability and reliability, rather than trying to make the technology you chose fit the application you have.