Common Uses of Differential Pressure Gauges in Industrial Applications

Pressure Drop Across Filters, Heat Exchangers, Condensers, Evaporators, Pumps and Valves

Differential Pressure Measurement Across Filter (courtesy of Orange Research)

Monitoring pressure drop – wherever it occurs – can offer incremental opportunities for improving process conditions and savings. Pumps and compressors move liquid or air within each process at a high cost, sometimes being driven harder than required. Reducing pressure lost within each process component may reduce the need for larger, more expensive pumps and compressors, and generally create more efficient flow and a better end product.

Flow Measurement

Differential Pressure to Measure Flow (courtesy of Orange Research) 

Flow is another common application for differential pressure gauges. There are countless types of flow meters in use today. The number one method for measuring flow is differential pressure flow monitoring. DP flow meters are especially attractive options for larger pipes. The cost of many flow meters goes up exponentially as the pipe size grows, because the scale of the flow element must increase to handle such large flows.

The popular solution is to cut the pipe, install an orifice plate and measure the pressure drop across the orifice plate. A DP flow meter is designed to handle the square root relationship between the flow and the differential pressure created, using Bernoulli's Law. This represents a high accuracy solution at a lost cost.

Like orifice plates, venturis and nozzles also create slight pressure drops that use differential pressure and square root flow to measure flow rates.

Level Measurement

Differential Pressure for Level Measurement (courtesy of Orange Research)

Differential pressure gauges also measure liquid level. Again, like flow meters, there are many types of level gauges. A simple, relatively inexpensive solution is to use a differential pressure gauge to indicate the level of a liquid within a tank. In open tanks, the high pressure side of a DP gauge is ported to the bottom of a tank while the low pressure side is mated to atmosphere. In this scenario the DP gauge is measuring a column of liquid within the tank, resulting in a reading that reflects the height of the liquid within the tank, often displaying inches or feet of water readings, or percent-full readings.

For pressurized tanks, such as cryogenic tanks, again the DP high pressure side is ported to the bottom of the tank, but the low pressure side is ported to the top of the tank. The result is a measurement of the column of liquid in the tank (the liquid height), often giving a read-out in inches of water or percent-full.

For more information on the application or use of differential pressure gauges, contact Advance Instruments. Call them at (888) 388-6446 or visit https://advanceinstruments.com.

Introduction to the LaserFlow™ Non-contact Velocity Sensor by Teledyne ISCO

The Teledyne ISCO LaserFlow™ is a velocity sensor that remotely measures flow in open channels with non-contact Laser Doppler Velocity technology and non-contact Ultrasonic Level technology.

The sensor uses advanced technology to measure velocity with a laser beam at single or multiple points below the surface of the wastewater stream.

The sensor uses an ultrasonic level sensor to measure the level and determines a sub-surface point to measure velocity. The sensor then focuses its laser beam at this point and measures the frequency shift of the returned light.

The LaserFlow is ideal for a broad range of wastewater monitoring applications. It is compatible with both the Teledyne ISCO Signature Flowmeter and the Teledyne ISCO 2160 LaserFlow Module, depending on the type of installation.

For more information, contact:
Advance Instruments
https://advanceinstruments.com
(888) 388-6446

Non-Contact Area Velocity Flow Measurement Using Advanced Laser Doppler Technology

The Teledyne ISCO LaserFlow remotely measures flow in open channels with non-contact Laser Doppler Velocity technology and non-contact Ultrasonic Level technology. The sensor uses advanced technology to measure velocity with a laser beam at single or multiple points below the surface of the wastewater stream.

An ultrasonic level sensor is used to measure the level and then determines a sub-surface point to measure velocity. The sensor then focuses its laser beam at this point and measures the frequency shift of the returned light.

This sensor is ideal for a broad range of wastewater monitoring applications and is compatible with readily available flow meters.

With optional continuous wave Doppler Ultrasonic Area Velocity technology flow measurement continues without interruption even while submerged.

With a specially designed mounting bracket the sensor can be deployed and removed from street level,  avoiding the risk and expense of confined space entry. A variety of communication options enable programming and data retrieval from a remote location as well. Built-in diagnostic tools simplify installation, maintenance, and advanced communication options reduce site visits.

The sensor provides excellent system versatility across a wide variety of industrial applications to manhole installations, with many configuration options providing the flexibility to measure flow in most open channel applications.

Depending on your application needs, the device can be programmed to take velocity measurements at single or multiple points below the water's surface, producing an accurate mean velocity reading.

In applications where the level measurement point of the built-in ultrasonic and the measurement point of the laser velocity are of different elevations, such as a free-falling outfall or drop manhole, the remote ultrasonic option can be used so that both measurement points reference the same elevation.

During submerged conditions, the optional bottom-mounted area velocity sensor seamlessly takes over the flow rate measurement. The sensor provides ultrasonic Doppler velocity measurement and Differential Pressure level measurement. This option measures flow in the pipe/channel. By measuring velocity over a large area, the ultrasonic Doppler technology provides more accurate flow measurement during submerged conditions.

For redundant flow measurement at critical monitoring sites, a unique flexibility is added by an optional sensor which is mounted at the bottom of the pipe. This sensor provides redundant velocity, level, and flow data from the same site as the device.

Following initial installation and adjustment, the sensor can be installed or removed as needed without manhole entry in most situations, using the optional sensor retrieval arm to grasp the handle.

The handle's simple yet effective locking mechanism holds the sensor securely in place, and is easy to engage and release from above ground.

For more information, contact Advance Instruments at https://advanceinstruments.com or call  (888) 388-6446.

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Flumes For Water System Open Channel Flow Measurement

A "cutthroat flume" used to facilitate open
channel flow measurement.
(TRACOM)

The measurement of flowing water in an open channel can be facilitated by applying known methodologies and a specifically shaped restriction in the flow path. The restriction is called a flume.

A flume, as applied to open channel flow, is a fixed structure in the flow path that directs or restricts the flowing water in a manner that allows a measurement of the fluid depth at a defined point to be translated into a volumetric flow rate. There are several different types of flumes, each with a characteristic measuring procedure used to determine flow volume. Applications for flumes and their open channel flow measurement techniques are commonly found in agriculture, sewer systems, water treatment, and industrial effluent measurement stations.

Flumes can provide measurement accuracy suitable for many uses. Advantages are their simplicity, ease of maintenance, comparatively small footprint, and ability to measure large flows. Fiberglass flumes provide solid long term performance due to their corrosion resistance and smooth, easy to maintain, surface. Prefabricated units can be shipped to an installation site and easy installed.

Share your open channel flow measurement challenges with application specialists, leveraging your own knowledge and experience with their product application expertise.

Teledyne ISCO accQlink™ Provides Water and Wastewater Plants Modular and Flexible Remote Data Acquisition

The Teledyne ISCO accQlink™ accepts multiple inputs, including RS232, RS485, SDI-12, analog, and/or contact output. The robust design includes autonomous field operation using battery, solar, or permanent power sources.  Data is accumulated from a variety of sensor types, transmitted securely, and stored either in cloud storage and/or a customer server. Data can be easily integrated into the facility SCADA system, modeling software, business intelligence platform, ISCO Flowlink Pro, or other software.

ISCO cloud server allows for the viewing and management of data from anywhere with an Internet connection. ISCO cloud server also includes a graphical data management Web User Interface and can be programmed to send text or email alerts at preprogrammed thresholds.

During data transmission from accQlink™, a built in Global SIM card chooses the strongest available cell signal and cell networks, ensuring maximum uptime. A yearly service plant includes all cell phone charges, data hosting, and web user interface. Finally, the accQlink™ offers digital communication options such as LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network), Bluetooth, and Satellite.

Applications:

• Overflow monitoring (CSO and SSO)
• I&I, cMOM, ad other collection system monitoring
• Wet well monitoring in Pump stations
• Stormwater runoff monitoring
• Weather monitoring
• Water quality monitoring

Standard Features:

• Rugged Design with IP 68 Enclosure
• Data encrytion for cyber security
• Cloud data hosting and intuitive Web UI
• Automatic alerts via SMS and email

For more information about the Teledyne ISCO accQlink™ contact Advance Instruments by visiting https://advanceinstruments or calling 888-388-6446.

Welcome to the Industrial, Municipal, & Environmental Instrumentation and Valve Blog

We're building this blog to provide people interested in process control instrumentation, industrial valves, measurement and control a place to learn interesting applications, products, and basic knowledge.

The markets we are attempting to connect with are the water and wastewater treatment, environmental and industrial companies located in Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, Western Maryland, and West Virginia.

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The world of industrial control is changing rapidly in the United States, partially due to rapidly changing technology, or environmental and legislative pressures. We hope to provide helpful information, based on current realities, that will help solve real world process control problems.