What is lecithin? And why need lecithin flow measurement?
Lecithin is a fatty substance that is naturally found in many foods, such as egg yolks, soybeans, and sunflower seeds. It is composed of phospholipids, which are important components of cell membranes in the body. Lecithin is often used as an emulsifier in food production, as it can help to mix ingredients that would otherwise not mix well together.
Lecithin Flow meter mass dosing systems are commonly used in industries such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage production, chemical processing, and more. Lecithin flow meters are ideal for applications where precise measurement and control of the flow rate is critical to the success of the process.
Why is it very hard to do lecithin flow measurement?
Lecithin can come in various forms, including liquid, granules, or powder. The viscosity of lecithin can vary depending on the specific type and concentration. Some forms of lecithin, such as liquid lecithin or mixtures of raw fish or ,lecithin ,mold ZAP etc, can be quite viscous and thick, and non-Newtonian, the viscosity can be very high, such as 9 - 12 Pa*s or even 20000 cp, few flow meters can handle that high viscosity liquid. Furthermore lecithin flow can be very low ,such as only 5-60 kg/hr, or even lower, we need small flow meter to accurate measure that low flow.
Coriolis flow meter to measure lecithin mass flow rate
Coriolis flow meters can be used to measure the flow rate of viscous fluid -lecithin, Coriolis flow meters are based on the Coriolis effect, which causes a fluid flowing through a vibrating tube to generate a measurable twisting motion. This twisting motion is directly proportional to the mass flow rate of the fluid, and therefore can be used to measure the flow rate of a wide range of fluids, including lecithin.
However, when using a Coriolis flow meter to measure the flow rate of viscous fluids like lecithin, it is important to ensure that the meter is properly sized and calibrated for the specific fluid being measured. Viscous fluids can cause additional stress on the meter, which may affect its accuracy if not accounted for properly.
How to choose Coriolis mass flow meter for Lecithin
Choosing a Coriolis mass flow meter for lecithin requires considering several factors, including the viscosity of the fluid, the flow rate, and the temperature.
High viscosity flow meter for lecithin: Lecithin is a viscous material, so it's essential to select a Coriolis flow meter designed to handle fluids with high viscosity. The Coriolis meter has a large enough bore size to allow for the flow of the viscous lecithin (for example Coriolis mass flow meter to measure high viscosity lecithin higher than 20000 cp) , and the flow meter is capable of accurately measuring the flow rate at the expected viscosity.
Low flow flow meter for lecithin: The flow rate of the lecithin is also an important consideration when selecting a Coriolis mass flow meter. Different meters have different flow rate ranges, so it's crucial to select a meter that can accurately measure the expected flow rate of the lecithin. According to our practical experience, the flow rate of medium is generally small, maybe only within 100 kg/h. We need to select the appropriate size according to the micro flow rate, and also consider the pressure loss of the whole pipeline.
Also, it's important to select a flow meter that is designed for use in the specific environment where the lecithin will be measured. This may include factors such as the type of process piping used (for example you need to inform us the lecithin piping tube is 1/4 inch, 3/8”, 1/2”, 1”, 2 inch or other), the presence of other chemicals or materials in the process ( our Coriolis mass flow sensor is stainless steel 316 which is compatible to lecithin), and any safety considerations that need to be taken into account.
Finally, Coriolis flow meter is a kind of digital flow meter, which means it has electronic display to read lecithin flow rate , total flow . also it has 4-20mA, pulse output , MODBUS RTU interface , option with HART protocol .
Consulting with a flow meter expert or the manufacturer of the Coriolis mass flow meter can help ensure that the appropriate meter is selected for the specific application of measuring lecithin flow.
Positive displacement flow meter for lecithin flow measurement
Positive displacement flow meters can be used to measure the volume flow rate of lecithin also.
Positive displacement flow meters work by dividing the fluid flow into a series of known and measured volumes, and then counting these volumes to determine the total flow rate. These meters are particularly well-suited for measuring the flow of high viscosity fluids like lecithin, as they are not as affected by changes in fluid viscosity as other flow meter types.
There are several types of positive displacement flow meters that can be used for lecithin flow measurement, including oval gear meters, These meters typically consist of two chambers or rotors that rotate and trap a fixed volume of fluid, which is then displaced through the meter with each rotation. The number of rotations per unit time is then used to calculate the lecithin flow rate.
However, when using a positive displacement flow meter to measure lecithin, it is important to ensure that the meter is properly calibrated for the specific properties of the lecithin being measured, including viscosity, temperature, and density. The accuracy of the meter can also be affected by factors such as the presence of air bubbles or solids in the fluid, which can cause inaccurate measurements.
