What is a Gas Flow Meter and Gas flow meter types ?

A gas flow meter is a device used to measure the rate of gas flow through a pipe or conduit. There are various gas flow meters, but all share a common goal - to measure gas flow rate accurately. Gas flow meters come in both digital and analog varieties.
They can be used for various applications, including monitoring industrial processes, measuring natural gas usage in homes and businesses, and more.

What is a Gas Flow Meter?

A gas flow meter is a device used to measure the rate of gas flowing through a pipeline or conduit. The monitoring instruments typically consist of an inline element that measures the gas flow. A second element (gas flow transmitters) reads the flow meter's output and provides an interface such as 4-20mA output, pulse output or RS485.Normal gas flow meters are gas turbine flow meters, thermal mass flow meters, Coriolis gas mass flow meters, differential pressure gas flow meters, vortex gas flow meters, VA gas rotameters .

Gas Flow Meter Features

• Accuracy vs. Response Time: The accuracy of a given gas flow meter is typically measured by its ability to report back how much volume or mass (measured in cubic feet or cubic meters) passes through it each unit of time (e.g., per minute, per hour, etc.).
• The response time is how long it takes to read and report it back. Some flow meters are more accurate than others but may have slower response times.
• Field of Vision: The field of vision of a gas flow meter is the area in which it can take readings. Some meters have a narrower field of vision than others, which may require them to be placed in specific locations to get an accurate reading. So remote reading gas flow meters is also possible.
• Flow Rate Ranges: Gas flow meters come in various flow rate ranges, which allow them to be used for different applications. For example, a low flow rate range meter could measure natural gas usage in a lab use, while a high flow rate range meter could measure the output of a natural gas well.
• Gas types can be measured by gas flow meters: air, compressed air, natural gas, biogas, N2 (nitrogen), CO2,CH4, oxygen (O2), handling landfill gas, digester gas, LPG gas,Ar,N2O,CNG,hot air, Helium
• Gas flow meter dial sizes: 1/4 inch, 1/2”, 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 1.5inch, 2” ,DN50, 3”, DN100, 4 inches, 6 inches,8 inches (DN200 gas flow meters), 10 inch gas flow meters, 12 inch gas flow meters, 14 inch gas flow meters, 16 inch gas flow meters, 18 inch gas flow sensor, 20 inch gas flow meters.

Digital Gas Flow Meter Types

Digital gas flow meters are a subset of measurement devices that measure the volumetric flow rate. They output an electrical signal (current, frequency or pulse output) to a control device directly related to the volume of gas flowing through the meter.
Digital gas flow metering is considered one of the most accurate and reliable methods to measure gas flows and have several other benefits, such as increased safety and reduced noise emissions.

Gas Turbine Flow Meter

This gas flow sensor uses a turbine wheel that spins at a high velocity when in contact with the moving gas or air inside the pipe being measured. By counting how many times the turbine wheel spins and measuring how long it takes to make one revolution, the gas flow rate can be determined.
The meter can compensate for high or low pressures and will work in any orientation (vertical, horizontal, or upside down). This digitally transmits a direct electrical signal to control any device with an input that allows for a 4-20mA current loop. The universal process connection makes it easy to retrofit with most valves and many other devices used with industrial gas flow processing equipment.

Thermal gas Mass Flow Meter

This digital meter measures thermally generated heat produced by a fluid passing through a heated section of tubing near a control device that processes a 4-20mA current loop signal.
A temperature sensor is used to measure the temperature inside the tube, so when gas or air flows through the heated section, it causes a change in the temperature of the sensor.
Thermal mass flow meters are available with insertion or inline probes, as well as being able to measure gases. One disadvantage of this type of meter is that it can be affected by changes in ambient temperature. Thermal mass flow meter can be used for large pipelines or duct, rectangular ducts, ventilation ducts for industrial gases, clean gas, flue gas, stack gas, suppose for efficient emission control & reduce air pollution. Insertion hot tapping process connection makes the thermal mass flow meter a cheap option for large pipeline gas flow measurement.
It can also take measurement of very low gas flow; the min size we make is 1/8” micro mass flow meters.

Coriolis Gas Flow Meter

These digital meters use a vibrating tube which creates a Coriolis force on the gas molecules as they pass by. This force is measured and then converted into an electrical signal processed by a control device that accepts a 4-20mA current loop.Coriolis mass flow meters for gas mass flow direct measurement, it is perfect to high pressure gas measurement, such as LPG gas dispensing and truck unloading,LNG gas flow measruemnet, Coriolis mass flowmeter has high accuracy for dosing applications;
The Coriolis meter is available inline styles, with the ability to measure gas or liquid flows. Coriolis meters are unaffected by pressure or temperature changes, making them ideal for use in harsh or changing environments. However, they are typically more expensive than other types of digital gas flow meters.
Silver Automation Instruments offers 1/8” inch Coriolis gas flow meter, 1/2”, 3/4 inch, 1inch, 2 inch, 3 inch , 4 inch, 6 inch, 8 inch and 10 inch Coriolis gas flow meters.

Differential Pressure Flow Meter

This type of meter uses two pressure sensors placed in line with each other and measures the difference in pressure between the two points. The output of the differential pressure sensor is then processed by a control device that accepts a 4-20mA current loop signal.
This meter is available in both insertion and inline styles, with the ability to measure gas or liquid flows. Differential pressure meters are available in various accuracy ranges, with some being accurate to +/- 1% and others to +/- 0.5%.
The meter's accuracy depends on the size of the differential between the two sensors, meaning that it can be affected by changes in fluid density or viscosity.

Variable Area Flow Meter to measure gas flow rate

This digital rotameter flow meter measures flow by using a rotating element where cross-sectional area constantly changes due to vanes or screens located within its path.
The output of these vanes/screens constantly changes when in contact with gas molecules passing through this area, thus creating an electrical signal processed by a control device that accepts a 4-20mA current loop signal.
Vortex Flow Meter: This meter uses a spinning element to create a vortex or whirlpool inside the measured pipe. This vortex is then measured by a sensor that makes an electrical signal processed by a control device that accepts a 4-20mA current loop signal.
This meter is available in both insertion and inline styles, with the ability to measure gas or liquid flows. Vortex flow meters are typically more accurate than variable area flow meters, but they are also more expensive. Additionally, they can be affected by changes in fluid density or viscosity.

Digital Gas Flow Meter Applications

Applications for digital flow meters vary depending on the type of meter, but typical applications include:
• Natural gas usage measurement in both volumetric or mass flow measurmenet
• Measuring the output of a natural gas well
• Process control in factories or refineries
• Monitoring emissions from industrial plants

Gas flow meter price

The price of gas flowmeter is affected by many factors, such as brand, size, flowmeter type, flowmeter function, material selection of flowmeter sensor and so on. If you want to get an accurate price, you can email us （sales@silverinstruments.com）. Our gas flow meter prices start from $200. The price is favorable, and the flowmeter function is stable.

Conclusion

A gas flow meter is a device used to measure the rate of gas flowing through a pipe. There are various types of gas flow meters, each with its own set of pros and cons.
Digital gas flow meters come in two basic varieties - positive displacement and variable area - and can be used for various applications, including natural gas usage measurement in homes and businesses, measuring the output of a natural gas well, and process control in factories or refineries.