Flow Meter Selection Guide

Choose The Best Flow Meter For Your Application

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.

Flow Meter Selection Table by Application

Table scrolls horizontally

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