Flow Meters and Instrumentation from Panner

Flow measurement is one of the most widely used process indicators. It is a critical parameter in the determination of energy transfer, waste water treatment and purification processes, various chemical manufacturing processes, batching and blending, and many more. It can be used to monitor an verify the operation of Pumps, Control Valves, Heat Exchangers, Tank filling and draining operations, etc.

Whether your application calls for rate measurement, totalizing, or a batching process, you must begin by selecting the correct sensing device. Each and every flow measurement system is only as good as the performance of the selected sensor in your specific application, and the compatability of its sensor with unique characteristics of the measured liquid. On this site you will find three types of flow meters listed (paddlewheel, magnetic, and ultrasonic) to cover the widest range of applications. We do offer other types of technologies for use in applications that would be better suited such as rotameters, vortex, gear, thermal dispersion, and differential pressure.

At Panner, we take pride in our application expertise. We have been selecting and applying flow sensors for our customers' toughest applications for the past 25 years. For more complete assistance in selecting a flow meter, please use our application worksheet, or call to speak directly with an application engineer.

Paddlewheel Flowmeters

Magnetic Flowmeters

Ultrasonic Flowmeters

They are not suitable for liquids that are highly viscous, partially filled pipes, or liquids with strand-like particulates.

The in-line paddlewheel flow meters shown are constructed of PVC or 316SS materials. However, these meters are also available in PP, PVDF, and Brass from 1/2"-2" sizes.

The electronics provided with these meters will have a digital display of flow rate, and (2) totalizers. We are showing both a 9V battery powered version, with no outputs, and a 24 VDC version which has a 4-20 mA output, and a pulse repeater output. Electronics with relays, and batch capabilities available upon request.

A conductive fluid flowing through a magnetic field generates a voltage proportional to its velocity. Electrodes sense the voltage for transmission to the converter. A simple calculation using the cross-sectional area of the flowmeter provides the volumetric flow. The strategic placement of an additional set of electrodes in the same plane as the sensing electrodes provides a measurement of background noise within the plane. Dual signal processing technology provides noise cancellation, which results in higher accuracy throughout a greater flow range.
Lower Installation Cost Grounding rings not required due to patented design Eliminates typical upstream and down stream straight run piping requirements High Accuracy (+ 0.5% of rate) Dual signal processing technology eliminates noise Extremely Wide Rangeability High flow turndown ratio up to 120:1	Liquids with suspended solids   Waste water   Corrosive liquids   Water   Asphalt emulsions   Dyes   Food products   Water-based coolants   Ground water reclamation
Rate of Flow Indicators   Totalizers   Mass flow computer

	LINE SIZES	1/2" to 12" (15mm to 300mm)
	OPERATING PRESSURE	up to 275 psig (19 bar)
	OPERATING TEMPERATURE	from -20º to 350†F (-29º to 176†C)
	REPEATABILITY	+ 0.1% of rate
	ACCURACY	+ 0.5% of rate
	FLOW TURNDOWN RATIO	up to 120:1
	FLOW RANGE	0.25 gpm to 10,500 gpm (0.95 l/min to 2,385 m3/hr)
	POWER REQUIRED	115/230 VAC 50/60 Hz or 24 VDC/AC
	OUTPUTS	4-20mA DC and RS 485

Other materials of construction available upon request.

For a panel mountable remote flowmeter/totalizer with a 4-20 mA output, and a scaleable pulse output please add $350.00. Click Here for specifications on this unit. (Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view this file; if necessary, click Here to download it.)

When using ultrasonic flowmeters, fluid measurement is accomplished with almost zero maintenance costs and no system downtime. Additionally, no damage occurs to sensors as in the conventional ones because they are mounted on the outside of the pipes.

One variety, the clamp-on, transit-time flowmeter, is well suited to the measurement of relatively clean fluids and those with low to moderate aeration. The transducers are mounted on the outside of the pipe through which flow is to be measured, and this non-invasive nature of operation provides tremendous advantages over more traditional flow-measuring instruments such as magmeters, vortex meters, and turbine flowmeters. The most immediate benefits include:

• No system contamination from installation
• Eliminates process pressure drop concerns
• No worry of leaks (simplifies regulatory approval
• Minimal maintenance requirements
• Sensor interchangeability among multiple systems, reducing instrument costs

The other type of flowmeter uses the Doppler method of measurement. This also uses a non-invasive, and measures high solid-content fluids such as sludges and slurries.

Doppler flowmeters utilize a constant-frequency, sound-wave transmission from the sensor though the pipe's walls, through the fluid, back to the receiver. The transmitted sound wave is reflected back to the receiver by suspended solids, entrained gasses, or turbulence actually carried in the fluid in the pipe or in the open channel under measurement. Because the liquid and the solids are moving, the signal reflecting from them changes in frequency. The frequency changes proportionally to the flow velocity, and after factoring in the physical properties of the system, the volumetric flow rate is accurately measured.

Due to the highly dense nature of these fluids and their often abrasive, pump-to-pump aspect, non-intrusive methods of flow measurement offer tremendous cost advantages. Here are a few:

• No system downtime for installation
• Zero pressure drop, eliminating costly pump changes or power upgrades
• "One size fits all" sensor sets
• Virtually maintenance free
• No moving parts