Ultrasonic Flow Meters: 3 Common Industry Usage Examples

An ultrasonic flow meter measures the velocity of a fluid to calculate volume flow. Sensors are placed across a pipe containing the fluid. One sensor creates an ultrasound wave that travels at an angle across the pipe to the second sensor. The fluid flowing in the pipe carries the ultrasound wave slightly faster when it flows in the direction of the wave and slower when it flows against the direction. The difference in ultrasound wave speed from when there is no flow is used to calculate the fluid velocity. Knowing the velocity and the pipe area allows the calculation of volume flow. Below are three common applications.

Oil and Gas Industry

Ultrasonic Flow Meters help companies know if pipelines are working right and also help them track where the gas and oil are going. These meters work better than older types of flow meters. They Ultrasonic Flow Meters Have no moving parts, so they do not get worn out from the dirty fluids. They measure flow through all kinds of pipes, even bent or rusty ones, and they work on thick fluids like crude oil as well as thin ones like propane.

The meters use battery or solar power, so they are ideal for remote areas. Workers only need to check on them once in a while, as the meters use signals to report the data back. Engineers can monitor gas and liquid flow from far away. If the flow changes suddenly, they know there may be a leak or other problem. Ultrasonic flow meters give key data to gas and oil companies, which helps them run their operations efficiently and safely.

The ultrasonic meters measure a wide range of flow velocities which is necessary given the variation in production rates over the lifetime of a well. They work as well at high flow rates as low ones. The clamp-on style of ultrasonic meters allows them to be installed without needing to break into the pipework. This simplifies setup on remote pipelines with no need for hot tapping or shutting off flow.

Ultrasonic flow meters play roles through the oil and gas lifecycle from production to transportation. At the wellhead, they provide injection rate monitoring for water or gas reinjection processes. They track individual well outputs as part of production optimization. Flexibility to add additional measurement points allows tighter control for the operator. Further along the process at custody transfer points or refinery intake, ultrasonic meters ensure accurate fiscal measurement.

Their reliability for flow profiling means output volumes and quality control can be tightly managed. This grants certainty between business units, joint venture partners, or during product sales.  Ultimately for transmission pipelines, ultrasonic flow meters offer resilience for gas, oil, or multiphase flows.

The principles behind ultrasonic flow measurement will continue enabling tighter control and insight across the oil and gas field. Their versatility cements ultrasonic meters as a critical technology delivering productivity gains through accuracy and reliability.

Power Industry

Ultrasonic flow meters are also good for the power industry, as they measure water, steam, or gases. The power industry moves a lot of these to make electricity. The meters help monitor these flows, and they provide data to control and optimize the systems.

The meters have no moving parts, so they need less repair than other flow meter types. They resist corrosion and fouling too, and they come in sizes to fit different pipe diameters. All this makes them durable for industrial use.

Setting them up is fast, as they clamp on from outside the pipe. There is no need to cut the pipe open. Their electronics give real-time flow readings as well. This data helps run the plant efficiently and maximizes power output while saving water and fuel.

Ultrasonic flow technology is playing an expanding role in optimizing power infrastructure. For example, accurate real-time flow monitoring enables better control and balancing of cooling water systems in power plants. This can reduce pumping costs and equipment wear and tear. The meters also help diagnose issues like heat exchanger leaks and flow blockages rapidly. In district energy networks, the flow data enables better management of steam, hot water, and chilled water distribution. This allows operators to reduce losses, balance flows, and optimize the combined heating and cooling process.

Water & Wastewater Treatment

These meters are used a lot in treatment plants. Accurate flow data is essential, as it helps control processes and make sure discharges meet regulations. The data can connect to plant computers, which allows for automated flow control and also creates records for reporting.

At water treatment plants and distribution systems, ultrasonic flow meters track flow rates entering various phases of purification treatment as well as distribution system leakage monitoring.

These meters are also used for:

Sewage flow rates: Ultrasonic meters support modeling sewage patterns and capacity planning of infrastructure like underground pipes.

Pollutant monitoring: By tracking flow downstream from industrial sites, ultrasonic meters identify irregular flow changes that could indicate illegal dumping.

With no moving parts and a high tolerance for contaminated liquids, ultrasonic flow meters are reliable tools for water and wastewater asset management.

For water treatment applications, ultrasonic flow meters are useful for measuring raw incoming flows, filtering process control, chemical dosing, and finished drinking water flows leaving the plant. Their high accuracy helps optimize treatment processes while verifying consistent output. In wastewater treatment, common placement includes influent channels, clarifiers, digesters, outfalls, and effluent monitoring. This helps balance capacities and control recycling streams.

Ultrasonic flow meters are resistant to fouling and corrosion, making them perfect for directly measuring wastewater velocities. Advanced ultrasonic flow meter capabilities include custody transfer billing, data logging, signal analysis, remote communication, and automation integration. Their flexibility and low maintenance make them a versatile flow monitoring solution for modern water authorities and treatment plants. From inlet works to final effluent, they are built to survive water treatment’s demanding conditions while providing accuracy for optimizing processes.

Ultrasonic flow meters work on various pipe diameters and can measure the flow of different liquid types. These meters are non-invasive and have no moving parts, which makes them reliable with little maintenance, which industry leaders appreciate. Learn more about the options today.