What are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Paddlewheel flow meter?
In the realm of flow measurement in industries, the use of flow meters is extensive. There are several types of flow measuring devices that engineers use for measuring liquids and gases. A paddlewheel flow meter is one among those meters that are used in many industries. It is ideal for pharmaceutical, food & beverages, oil and gas, water treatment, and chemical industry. As the name suggests, this device uses the paddle wheel to measure the flow of liquids. The mechanical rotating action of the paddle converts the flow rate into readable form for technicians.
Working of paddlewheel flow measuring tool
The paddle flow meter consists of a sensor, display controller, and pipe fitting. The rotating impeller that moves the fluid by rotation has magnets, and it has rotors and blades perpendicular to the flow of liquid. When the flow passes, the magnets of the sensor enable the meter to generate voltage and frequency. The voltage and frequency generated are proportional to the flow rate of liquid. The meter has an LCD display to show the flow rate in an easy-to-read format. The best thing about this meter is that it can measure any type of liquid. You can take an example of acids, corrosive liquids, and solvents, etc.
Advantages of paddlewheel flow meter
Easy installation
The foremost advantage of this meter is that it is really easy to install. It is available for inline and insertion installation and can be installed upward and parallel to pipes. The device comes with a sensor, digital display, and inline layout that make it easy to use.
Simple and reliable flow measuring meter
When it comes to simplifying the flow measurement, the paddle flow meter is always useful. Moreover, it delivers reliable results, which means you will get higher accuracy for measuring the flow. This device is capable of measuring high flow rates with low-pressure loss. They are versatile flow sensors that work best in applications that have a consistent flow of liquids.
Little maintenance
Industries are using this flow measuring device due to its feature of little maintenance, and it can significantly lower the operating cost due to less maintenance required. The meter is perfectly designed to measure the flow of acidic liquids as well. So, when the fluid contains corrosive elements, it can deliver accurate results. In some industries, the flow of liquids is clean, so the meter can deliver consistent performance. As a user, you only require servicing the device once a year; thus, low costs.
Disadvantages of paddlewheel flow meter
Chances of inaccuracies
However, in all manners, the accuracy of this meter is good. But, sometimes, it might produce inaccurate results as well. It can occur especially when the liquid-flowing pipe is not full of liquids, and it might happen when there is the presence of air in the pipes. So, before using this meter, it is essential to ensure that pipes only contain liquids.
Only useful in straight running pipes
One disadvantage of this meter is that it can only work well for the straight-run liquid flowing pipes. In the case of curves in flowing pipes, the results of flow rate may fluctuate.
Sensitive to foreign objects
The flow meter is extremely sensitive to foreign objects, and it can experience clogging in the pipes that will hinder the flow of liquid. One thing that is important to keep in mind is that if you want accurate results, the flow must be obstruction-free. So, it is an important factor to consider in the case of the paddle flow meter.
The Final Words
The paddlewheel flow meter is a reliable device to measure the flow. However, it has some drawbacks, but despite those, the demand for this tool is high. If you need this device for industrial application, you should consider these points. Always get expert advice before choosing one.
