The development of flow measurement can be traced back to ancient hydraulic engineering and urban water supply systems.In the time of Caesar in ancient Rome, orifice plates were already used to measure the amount of drinking water for the population.Around 1000 B.C. Ancient Egypt used the weir method to measure the flow of the Nile River.China's famous Dujiangyan Water Conservancy Project applies the water level at the mouth of the bottle to observe the size of the water volume and so on.
Measurement is the eyes of industrial production.Flow measurement is one of the components of measurement science and technology, it has a close relationship with the national economy, national defense construction, scientific research.Do a good job of this work, to ensure product quality, improve production efficiency, and promote the development of science and technology have an important role, especially in the energy crisis, the degree of automation of industrial production is getting higher and higher in today's era, the flow meter in the national economy, the status and role of the more obvious.
Flowmeter is divided into differential pressure flowmeter, rotor flowmeter, throttle flowmeter, slit flowmeter, volumetric flowmeter, electromagnetic flowmeter, ultrasonic flowmeter, turbine flowmeter and vortex flowmeter and so on.Classification by medium: liquid flowmeter, gas flowmeter, steam flowmeter and solid flowmeter.
Basic Introduction
The development of measurement can be traced back to ancient hydraulic engineering and urban water supply systems.In the time of Caesar in ancient Rome, orifice plates were already used to measure the amount of drinking water for the population.Ancient Egypt around 1000 BC with the weir method to measure the flow of the Nile.China's famous Dujiangyan water conservancy project application of the water level of the mouth of the bottle to observe the size of the water, etc. Gas flow meter, etc..Measurement is the eyes of industrial production.Flow measurement is one of the components of measurement science and technology, it has a close relationship with the national economy, national defense construction, scientific research.Do a good job of this work, to ensure product quality, improve production efficiency, and promote the development of science and technology have an important role, especially in the energy crisis, the degree of automation of industrial production is getting higher and higher in today's era, the status and role of the flowmeter in the national economy is more obvious.Flowmeter is divided into differential pressure flowmeter, rotor flowmeter, throttle flowmeter, slit flowmeter, volumetric flowmeter, electromagnetic flowmeter, ultrasonic flowmeter and weir.Classified by medium: liquid flowmeter and gas flowmeter.
Development History
As early as 1738, the Swiss Daniel first Bernoulli Bernoulli equation based on the use of differential pressure method to measure water flow.Later, the Italian G.B. Venturi research with the venturi measurement of flow, and in 1791 published the results of the study. 1886, the American C. Herschel with the venturi made of water flow measurement of practical devices in the early to middle of the twentieth century, the original principle of measurement is gradually maturing, people began to explore the new principle of measurement of the U.S. began to develop the United States in 1910 to measure the flow of water in the ditch groove flow meter. 1922, R.L. Paschel will be the original venturi of the flowmeter.In 1922, R.L. Paschall reformed the original Venturi flume for Paschall flume (named by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1929). 1911 ~ 1912, the Hungarian-American T. von Carmen put forward Carmen vortex street of new theories. 30's appeared to explore the use of acoustic waves to measure the flow rate of liquids and gases, but up to the Second World War did not get a lot of progress, until 1955, it was the first time to explore the use of acoustic waves.Until 1955, there is the application of acoustic cycle method (two groups of type) of Maxon flowmeter, used to measure the flow of aviation fuel. 1945, A. Colin with an alternating magnetic field successfully measured the flow of blood. 60 years later, the instrumentation to the precision, miniaturization and other directions.For example, in order to improve the accuracy of differential pressure instrumentation and the emergence of force balance differential pressure transmitter and capacitive differential pressure transmitter; in order to make the electromagnetic flowmeter sensor miniaturization and improve the signal-to-noise ratio and the emergence of non-uniform magnetic field and low-frequency excitation method of electromagnetic flowmeter.With the rapid development of integrated circuit technology, ultrasonic (wave) flowmeter with phase-locked loop technology has also been widely used.The widespread use of microcomputers to further improve the ability of flow measurement, such as laser Doppler flow meter application of microcomputers can handle more complex signals.
The first U.S. patent for a TUF was issued as early as 1886, and the 1914 patent concluded that the flow rate of a TUF was frequency dependent.The first TUF in the United States was developed in 1938, it is used for aircraft fuel flow measurement, only until after World War II due to jet engines and liquid jet fuel in urgent need of a high-precision, fast response flowmeter to make it get real industrial applications.Nowadays, it has been widely used in petroleum, chemical industry, scientific research, national defense and metrology sectors.
Flow measurement was first started by the Swiss, in 1738, the famous Swiss physicist Daniel Bernoulli used the Bernoulli equation as a basis for measuring water flow using the differential pressure method.
Later, the Italian physicist Venturi measured the flow rate with a venturi and published his findings.
Later, the Italian physicist Venturi used the Venturi tube to measure the flow rate, and published the research results.
In 1886, the American Herschel application of the venturi made the measurement of water flow of the practical measuring device.
In the early to mid-20th century, the original measurement principle gradually towards maturity, people will no longer be limited to the original measurement method, but began a new exploration. 1910, the Americans began the trough flowmeter research work, this kind of flowmeter is used to measure the flow of water in the open ditch. 1922, Paschel will be the trough measurement reform for Paschel water trough.
Tank flowmeter development at the same time, the Hungarian-American Kamen is studying the vortex street theory, 1911 to 1912, he proposed Kamen vortex street new theory.
By the 1930s, and appeared to explore the use of acoustic waves to measure the flow rate of liquids and gases acoustic wave measurement of flow rate, but until the Second World War did not get a lot of progress, until 1955 there is the application of acoustic cycling method of Maxon flowmeter was introduced to measure the flow rate of aviation fuel.
In 1945, Colin successfully measured blood flow using an alternating magnetic field.
After the 1960s of the 20th century, measuring instruments began to develop in the direction of precision and miniaturization.For example, in order to improve the accuracy of the differential pressure instrument, the emergence of force balance differential pressure transmitter and capacitive differential pressure transmitter; in order to make the electromagnetic flowmeter sensing miniaturization and improve the signal-to-noise ratio, the emergence of a non-uniform magnetic field and low-frequency excitation electromagnetic flowmeter, in addition, with a wide range of measurements and no active detection of parts of the vortex flowmeter, the utility of the Carmen, also in the 1970s.
With the rapid development of integrated circuit technology, with phase-locked loop technology of ultrasonic (wave) flowmeter has also been widely used, the wide application of micro-computers to further improve the flow measurement capabilities, such as laser Doppler flowmeter after the application of micro-computers, can handle more complex signals.
Growing trend
In industrial sites, instruments that measure fluid flow are collectively known as flow meters or flow meters.It is one of the most important instruments in industrial measurement.With the development of industry, the accuracy and range of flow measurement is more and more demanding, in order to adapt to a variety of uses, various types of flow meters have been introduced, widely used in oil and gas, petrochemical, water treatment, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, energy, metallurgy, pulp and paper and construction materials and other industries.
Frost & Sullivan uses a 360-degree research model to study the flowmeter market from a global perspective, integrating the application of industry, technological development, economy, competitive environment and industry users and other modules.This paper takes volumetric flowmeter, turbine flowmeter (typical impeller flowmeter), differential pressure flowmeter, variable area flowmeter, electromagnetic flowmeter, ultrasonic flowmeter, vortex flowmeter (typical fluid oscillating flowmeter), Coriolis mass flowmeter and insertion thermal mass flowmeter as the object of research to analyze the market.
The global market for flowmeters reached US$2.83 billion in 2008, an increase of about 3.9% from 2007.
In the world, the main manufacturers of flowmeters include: Bitobar flowmeter (Bitobar), Asi Brown Bo Farrer (ABB), Emerson (Emerson), EndressHauser (EndressHauser or E H), Cologne (Krohne), Siemens (Siemens), Yokogawa (Yokogawa), and General Electric (GeneralElectric), Honeywell job (Honeywell), Invensys, and General Electric (GeneralElectric), Honeywell (Honeywell), and Invensys.General Electric, Honeywell, Invensys and Yamatake.
Market influences
Drivers According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the world needs to invest a cumulative total of $26.0 trillion (in 2007 dollars) in energy infrastructure from 2007 to 2030.Of this, $13.6 trillion, or 52.3% of the total, will be invested in the power sector.By 2030, infrastructure for oil, gas and power will need to be replaced in many parts of the world.In the long term, foreseeable energy investments will give the application of flow meters in the oil and gas and energy industry segments considerable scope for growth.
Faced with a fiercely competitive environment and in response to the global demand for energy saving and emission reduction, users in various industries are paying more attention to the operational efficiency of their production plants and minimizing energy consumption in order to improve competitiveness.As a result, significant investments are being made in upgrading plant automation and on-site data collection and real-time monitoring to improve the efficiency of plant process control.For example, in the oil and gas and energy industries, the need for reliable fluid measurement equipment in confined transmission facilities; the chemical and pharmaceutical industries need highly accurate flow meters, etc., all trends will inevitably lead to the development of sensors and field devices (including flow meters).
More electronics are being introduced into flowmeters, such as digital signal processing (DSP) and microprocessors, which allow flowmeters to be self-diagnostic and better able to communicate with the production control level.The improved performance better meets the needs of industry users and creates more market applications for flow meters.
Inhibiting factorsThe current global economic situation needs to be further boosted, and the demand for industrial goods is not strong.Numerous industry users slow down new project investment or suspend equipment renewal and upgrading, waiting for the global economy to show signs of recovery.Therefore, in the short term, this will give the flowmeter in its main application industry development prospects to bring some impact.
The global flowmeter market is extremely competitive with many manufacturers.At the same time, flowmeter manufacturers are facing industry users on the price of the more demanding requirements, in order to enable better penetration of the product into the flowmeter applications of the main industries, the price competition between manufacturers is inevitable.This phenomenon is very common in emerging economies, especially in China.Price is often the most important determinant of purchasing behavior.In the long run, producers focus more on price strategies, resulting in less innovative products and hindering market development.
Challenges faced
Traditional mechanical flowmeters, such as differential pressure flowmeters, volumetric flowmeters, and variable area flowmeters, are already in the popularization stage, with fierce price competition, diminishing profit margins, fewer technological innovations, and a relatively mature market. according to Frost & Sullivan, differentiating and customizing their products is an important breakthrough point for manufacturers to compete in the fierce competition in mature markets.According to Frost & Sullivan's analysis of the needs of industry users, user groups expect manufacturers to provide automation equipment that brings tangible benefits to the production process.Specific needs arise from the application of the product, for example, in the special environment of the petrochemical industry, the need for rugged design and explosion-proof certification; users of straight pipe design of the Koch flowmeter, and so on.How to effectively obtain the actual needs of users, and improve the traditional products, is the manufacturer of differentiated and customized production process is not a small challenge.
Guiding users to accept and use new technology flowmeter, such as ultrasonic flowmeter, electromagnetic flowmeter, thermal mass flowmeter and V cone flowmeter (orifice plate flowmeter) and so on, is another challenge for manufacturers to make the market bigger and stronger.
In addition, the new technology flowmeter is constantly being introduced into various industries at the same time, fast and effective after-sales service for manufacturers is also crucial.Especially the use of flow meters based on the Foundation Fieldbus and ProfibusPA bus, the software technology has certain requirements, effective service can provide users with more suitable solutions, and close to the user.
Growing trend
The revolution from mechanical to electronic flowmeters is one of the most important trends in flowmetering.Electromagnetic flowmeter, ultrasonic flowmeter, vortex flowmeter and V cone flowmeter (orifice plate flowmeter) using the electrical principle of work, so as to avoid the mechanical flowmeter work in the need to replace the moving parts.At the same time, self-diagnostic function is introduced into the flowmeter, so that the flow meter is not only a simple measurement tool, more for the purpose of system maintenance, such as: empty pipe detection and self-checking.Moreover, the combination of advanced communication technology in the electronic flow meter enables the controller to remotely access the flow data and historical data of the production site in real time.
According to Frost & Sullivan's research, about 89.0% of the world's current flow meters use the mAHART communication protocol, because flow meters using the mAHART communication protocol are less difficult to install and less demanding to operate than those using fieldbus protocols, and the introduction of a fieldbus system is also a significant cost to the user.However, as industry users continue to improve the level of automation, hope that from the flow measurement in addition to flow data to obtain more information, for example, diagnostic information and status detection, etc., these data transmission need to rely on fieldbus support.Moreover, manufacturers such as Siemens and Emerson are focusing on implementing fieldbus protocols for flow measurement technology.Believe that this will certainly promote the fieldbus protocol flowmeter in various industries in the application prospects.
In addition, wireless technology flowmeter is also gradually accepted by users, the harsh environment of fluid measurement for wireless technology is a good application space.However, the user fully accept and popularize wireless technology flowmeter still need some time.
Commonly used in the health sector
Turbine
Turbine flowmeter, is the main type of velocity type flowmeter, it uses a multi-blade rotor (turbine) to feel the average flow rate of fluid, so as to deduce the flow rate or total amount of the meter.Generally it consists of two parts, the sensor and the display meter, can also be made into a whole type.
Turbine flowmeter and volumetric flowmeter, Coriolis mass flowmeter known as the flowmeter in the three categories of repeatability, accuracy of the best products, as one of the top ten types of flowmeter, its products have been developed into a multi-species, multi-series mass production scale.
Advantages:
(1) high precision, in all flow meters, belongs to the most accurate flow meter;
(2) good repeatability;
(3) yuan zero drift, good anti-interference ability;
(4) wide range;
(5) compact structure.
Disadvantages:
(1) can not maintain long-term calibration characteristics;
(2) fluid properties have a greater impact on the flow characteristics.
Application Overview:
Turbine flowmeter in the following some of the measurement object to obtain a wide range of applications: oil, organic liquids, inorganic liquids, liquefied gas, natural gas, food, beverages and cryogenic fluids in Europe and the United States, the turbine flowmeter in the dosage of natural metering instrumentation is second only to the orifice plate flowmeter, only the Netherlands in the natural gas pipeline has been used in the more than 2,600 sets of various sizes, pressures ranging from 0.8 to 6.5 MPa of theGas turbine flowmeter, they have become an excellent natural gas measurement instrument.
