The necessity for exact process measurements frequently mandates processors switch to digital (rather than analog) instruments due to their accuracy, reliability, and ability to store the measured results for analysis and data storage.
There are many different technological possibilities available in digital flow meters, which could make making a final decision challenging. We wish to assist!
This article will examine flow meters in the context of sanitary processing in an organized manner.
FIRST, LET’S UNDERSTAND WHAT A FLOW METER IS.
The flow rate of fluids through pipes and tubes during industrial activities is measured in the sanitary processing industries using flow meters. In these kinds of plants, flow meters track both product and utility flows (steam, water, glycol, etc.).
Why measure fluid flow? Here’s why
When a specific volume of liquid and a precise amount of a solid must be combined, like when making dough, measuring flow may be vital in dosing procedures.
Plant operators can determine how productive their operation is at a given time by measuring fluid flow in continuous or batch processing activities (i.e., how much product is being produced).
The permeant structure of some goods, such as their rheology, may be affected by shear forces often applied to products passing through pipes due to flow velocity. The fluid flow rate must be known to preserve product quality in these circumstances.
A specific velocity of cleaning fluids through the pipes is necessary for thorough cleaning in Clean-in-place (CIP) operations.
ANALOG OR DIGITAL FLOW METER?
Usually, analog and digital equipment can be utilized for any form of measurement. Let’s take a quick look at each, including how it functions and its benefits and drawbacks.
An example of an analog measurement device is the standard thermometer. The transparent tube in the thermometer, calibrated to detect how hot (or cold) the substance is, rises as mercury warms up in the storage bulb at the thermometer’s base.
The process of measurement is entirely physical. Digital instruments are more sophisticated.
One of the most popular forms of digital flow meters used in the sanitary processing industries is a typical magmeter, a digital magnetic flow meter covered in greater detail in Section 4 of this article. Depending on the type of meter, digital flow meters operate by using a variety of distinct physical concepts, such as electromagnetic induction, the Coriolis effect, and ultrasonic wave propagation, as discussed in this section.
The temperature of the material being monitored is one factor converted into digital equipment.
Analog instruments are straightforward and reasonably priced and often function effectively in challenging operating environments (temperature, humidity, etc.). However, compared to digital devices, they are inherently less accurate in their measurements.
Contrarily, compared to analog equipment, digital instruments are more sophisticated, expensive, and vulnerable to unfavorable operating conditions (although protective cases for these devices can mitigate environmental issues). However, users can retain the findings of their measurements electronically for later analysis or the upkeep of operating records, and they are more exact in their measurements than analog devices.
