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Magnetic Flow Meter Helps in Harsh Environments
By A Sneddon

Measuring the flow of most liquids has never been a problem with the equipment available to insert a measuring device either into the liquid or into the pipe in which the liquid flows. Within additional use of harsh chemical like acids and sludge, an external magnetic flow meter was necessary for longer life and accurate readings.

Faraday's Law is the principal behind the operation of the magnetic flow meter which states simply that the voltage created by the flow of an inductive material, in this case liquids, as it moves perpendicular through a magnetic field is proportionate to the velocity of the conductor.

Basically, a conductive liquid moving through a pipe with a magnetic field attached to it, will generate an electrical charge and the amount of charge generate by the flow through the magnetic field indicates how fast it is flowing. Since a magnetic flow meter is dependent on the velocity of the flow for accurate readings, the size of the pipe through which it flows and the placement of the magnetic field is necessary.

Two poles of an external magnetic generator are placed a set distance apart on the pipe and as liquid flows through the pipe its velocity is measured by the current generated by its flow through the magnetic field. Since no parts of the magnetic flow meter are inside the pipe and in contact with the liquid, it works well to measure flow of caustic liquids.

Not All Liquids Charged the Same

Each magnetic flow meter must be calibrated not only based on the type of liquid, but by the different properties of the same types of liquid. For example, tap water may have different metal contents in different parts of the country. The amount of ions in the water will affect its conductivity and the less ions present the more calibration is needed.

Some medical and scientific operations use water with no ions or distilled water and a magnetic flow meter designed for that use will require much finer calibration that those used for regular water with high concentrations of conductive metals.

Since different liquid compounds of liquids, such as sludge, slurry or acid each have different conductive capabilities, it usually takes experience in the use of a magnetic flow meter to properly calibrate them for accuracy. Additionally, for true accuracy of the magnetic flow meter it is essential it is placed at a location on the pipe where it is sure to be completed filled when taking measurements.

Author Details:
A Sneddon, copywriter for various websites including, Flow Meter and The A to Z of.

Article Source: Simply Top Articles

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