Industrial applications often require more than just a measurement of the volume of liquid, gas or slurry through a system. To measure the total mass flow rate of any fluid or gas, a thermal mass flow meter is often the most cost-effective measurement option.
There are many different thermal mass flow meter models and models on the market, each offering different features and variables that provide additional benefits in specific types of operations and applications. The most common type of meters used in industrial applications are the thermal dispersion types. They may also be known as immersible mass flow meters. There are also capillary types that operate using a slightly different measurement process.
The Design
One of the reasons that a thermal mass flow meter is a good choice for industrial applications is the relative simplicity of the design. There are no moving parts to these meters, which means a limited risk of wear and tear on the meter or problems due to component failure.
The meters, when used in gas or liquids, create a limited interference with the flow of the material and they are easy to install in existing pipes or lines. They include a heating element that is centered between two extremely sensitive temperature sensors.
As the liquid or gas flows past the first temperature sensor, the initial temperature is measured. The liquid or gas is then exposed to the heating element in the flow, and the second downstream sensor records the resulting temperature increase from this exposure. With the capillary types thermal flow meters a small heated capillary tube is used to measure the heat transferred between the liquid or the gas and the heated surface.
These thermal flow meters are extremely accurate and can provide continual data on the mass flow through a system. New technology makes these meters even more efficient to use either within a system or for remote measurement and monitoring.
