Using flowmeters in the manufacture of Petrochemical products
Why are flowmeters such an integral part of Petrochemical processing? This article gives is some brief insight into why flow meter devices are being used.
Flow meter technology continues to be used across the continents in the manufacturing and processing of products. This type of technology is crucial in many manufacturing processes to monitor the flow of gases and liquids. One industry where flow meters play a key role is the Petrochemical industry. For this article we take a closer look clamp on flowmeter devices and how these are being put to use in the Petrochemical industry
Petrochemicals are produced and processed in refineries with extensive pipe networks carrying streams of fluids between chemical processing units. These fluids can be any form of liquified hydro carbon including gases, kerosene, petrol, ethanol and many more. There will also be other pipes that transport other liquids that are used during the manufacturing process. These include water and acids. As you can imagine it is essential to ensure that each product that is manufactured at these plants is of the highest grade and quality. One of the key ways to do this is to ensure that the through flows of gas and liquids through the network of pipes is closely monitored. That is where clever flow meter technology comes into its own.
Flowmeters come in all shapes, sizes and applications. Which flow meter is used will naturally depend on the type of liquid or gas, pipe thickness, pipe material etc.. Keep in mind that most of the fluids being transported around pipes at a Petrochemical factory will be highly flammable, and mostly corrosive. Having a flowmeter installed within a pipe carrying this material is unadvisable unless of course the flow meter has a resistance to the corrosive material. And how will the installed flow meter be maintained and repaired if problems arise?. That is why the Petrochemical industry chooses to utilise clamp on flowmeters on their refinery pipe networks.
Clamp on flow meters can literally be clamped on to the outside surface of a pipe or tube. This type of flowmeter makes use of ultrasound to gather and provide feedback data on fluids flowing through a pipe. Clamp-on flow meters can be reliably put into use regardless of most pipe thickness and material type. With this type of non invasive flowmeter technology there is no need to open up pipes which means that dangerous seepage is avoided, as is any halt to processing.
If you would like to discover more about the use of clamp on flowmeter technology and how it is used in the Petrochemical industry why not pay a visit to Katronic? Katronic are a well established specialists in clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters and non-invasive process measurement instruments. Katronic are suppliers of flowmeter technology to a wide range of industries across the globe. You can find out more about flow meter technology at katronic.co.uk.
