Flowmeter Selection Guide

Cole-Parmer Technical Library

Flowmeter Selection Guide

When selecting a flow meter consideration must be given to:

Flow measurement type - momentum (velocity), volumetric or mass flow measurement
Media - type of media (liquid, gas or slurry) and any special condition such as particulates in the media and viscosity of the media
Media conditions - pressure and temperature of media and whether media conditions are likely to remain constant or vary
Flow range - required flow range of media (min and max readings required)
Accuracy - required accuracy of the readings
Environmental considerations - special installation considerations such as hygienic installation, installing in to an ATEX zone or requiring tamper proof readings

For special or unique flow control applications use the helpful flow meter application table below to narrow your selection.

Application Parameter	Gases	Liquids	Flowmeter type
Low-flow measurement/control (some types as low as 1 sccm air and 0.1 mL/min water, max of range)	• • • • • • •	• • • • • • • • • •	Mechanical orifice (controller) Thermal dispersion Coriolis Differential pressure Indicators/sensors/switches Turbine(Pelton wheel) Variable area Gear Propeller type Magnetic Ultrasonic Vortex
High-flow measurement/control (some types as high as 2300 scfm gas and 2600 GPM liquid)	• • • • • •	• • • • • • • • •	Thermal dispersion Coriolis Differential pressure Indicators/switches Variable area Vortex Propeller type Magnetic Turbine Ultrasonic
High pressure (500 psi and up)	• • • • • •	• • • • • • • • •	Mechanical orifice (controller) Thermal dispersion Coriolis Indicators/switches Variable area Vortex Differential pressure Gear Magnetic Turbine Ultrasonic
High temperature (200°F and up)	• • • •	• • • • • • • • •	Mechanical orifice (controller) Coriolis Vortex (including steam) Variable area Ultrasonic Turbine Magnetic Indicators/sensors Propeller type Gear Differential pressure
High-accuracy measurement (error at or below 1%)	• • • •	• • • • • •	Differential pressure Thermal dispersion Coriolis Vortex Gear Propeller type Magnetic Turbine (Pelton wheel)
Aggressive or pure fluids	• • • •	• • • • • • • •	Mechanical orifice (controller) Thermal dispersion Turbine Variable area Gear Propeller type Indicators/switches Magnetic (aggressive only) Ultrasonic Vortex
Fluids with heavy particulates or slurries	•	• • •	Coriolis Magnetic Ultrasonic
High-viscosity fluids	•	• • •	Coriolis Gear Magnetic
No wired power available	• • • • •	• • • • • • •	Mechanical orifice (controller) Differential pressure Indicators Turbine Variable area Gear Propeller type Ultrasonic
Intrinsically safe	• •	• • • • • •	Mechanical orifice (controller) Variable area Differential pressure Gear Propeller type Indicators Turbine
Large pipe sizes (3" or larger)	• •	• • • • • •	Coriolis Vortex Ultrasonic Turbine (insertion) Magnetic Propeller type
Sanitary (meets 3A standards)	•	• • •	Coriolis (special order) Magnetic Turbine

	Chemical Compatibility

	Safety Glove Chemical Compatibility Database