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How Does a Flow Meter Work?

Learn all about How Flow Meters Work based on the technology type of the flow meter.

How Does a Flow Meter Work?

If you are looking to learn about how flow meters work, the answer is probably not as simple or straightforward as you would like it to be. A very over-generalized answer is that they work by employing one of many technological principles of operation to measure how much flow of a liquid, gas, or steam is moving through something, generally a pipe. To know exactly how a particular flow meter works, you would need to know the measurement principle, or technology type, of the flow meter.

Flow meters measure by mass or volume. Each of the different flow meter technology types will fall under one of these two category types. Listed below are some of the more common flow meter technologies. For an in-depth explanation of how each flow meter technology operates, visit one of our educational flow meter technology pages by clicking on technology-type link below.

What are the Types of Flow Meter Technologies?

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By: Heather Collins

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FEATURED PRODUCTS
DON
Oval Gear Positive Displacement Flow Meter
Starting at
$775
DON - Positive-Displacement Flow Meters
Flow Ranges
0.13...9.5 GPH to 40...660 GPM
Line Sizes
1/8"...4"
Fittings
NPT or BSP Threaded, ANSI or DIN Flanged
Max. Operating Temperature
Up to 300 °F (150 °C) (Output Option Dependent)
Media Category
Liquid
    Aluminum or Stainless Steel Bodies
    Viscosity range up to 1000 cP (standard), higher viscosities with special cut rotors
    Operating Pressures to 1,450 PSIG (Model Dependent)
    Electronic Output Options Include Analog and Frequency Outputs, LCD Totalizers, Batch Controllers, U-Pace Electronics: IO-Link and Temperature Measurement
    Mechanical Totalizer (½"...4" Meters Only)
    Bi-directional Flow Sensing with Optional Quadrature Output
    Certifications/Approvals: ATEX
    Top Seller
View Full Product Info
DUC
Clamp-on Ultrasonic Flow Meter
Starting at
$5,151
DUC - Quick-Mount Clamp-on Ultrasonic Flow Meter for Liquids
Measurement Principle
Time-of-flight w/DSP (Transit Time Principle)
Flow Velocity Range
0...±98 ft/sec
Pipe Size Range
3/8"...20 Feet
Temperature Range
-40...300 °F (150 °C)
Accuracy
up to 1% of Reading
Media Category
Liquid
    Easy-to-read User Interface with LED Backlight, QVGA Display
    Quick-Mount-System with Space Bar for Ultrasonic Transducers, 1 and 4 MHz
    DSP Technology Reduces Signal Echoes and Dispersion Effects, Having a Positive Effect on the Signal to Noise Ratio
    Portable and Stationary Versions Available
    Applications within Power Plants, Water/Wastewater and Chemical Processing Industries
    Certifications/Approvals: ATEX
View Full Product Info
KSM
All Plastic Flow Meter and Switch
Starting at
$249
Fast Delivery
KSM - All-Plastic Flow Meter and Switch for Liquids or Gases
Measuring Range
0.06...0.66 to 35...264 GPM / 0.5...3 SCFM to 50...400 SCFM
Fittings
1"...2½" Glue Socket or NPT Thread
Body Material
Polyamide, Polysulfone
Max. Pressure
145 PSIG
Max. Temperature
140 °F (60 °C) (w/PVC Connections)
Accuracy
± 4% of Full Scale
Contact
Optional Reed Switch
Media Categories
Liquid or Gas
    Shock and Corrosion Resistant
    Direct Reading Scales for Water or Air
    Large, Easy-To-Read Scale
    Made in the USA
    Quick Delivery
    BABA (Build America, Buy America) compliant models available
View Full Product Info
MIM
All-Metal Magnetic Flow Meter
Starting at
$978
Fast Delivery
MIM - Small Inline Stainless Steel Magnetic Flow Meter for Liquids
Ranges
0.16...16 GPH to 0.8...170 GPM
Connections
1/2"...2" NPT Thread, 1" or 2" Tri-Clamp
Connection Material
316L Stainless Steel
Maximum Pressure
230 PSIG
Maximum Temperature
284 °F (140 °C)
Housing Material
316L Stainless Steel
Accuracy
< ±(0.8% of Reading + 0.5% of Full Scale)
Media Category
Liquid
    Rugged SS Construction
    Flow and Temperature Measurement
    Switching, Transmitting, and Batching Functions
    Bi-directional Flow Measurement
    Color, Multi-parameter TFT Display, Rotatable in 90° Increments
    Intuitive Setup Menu via 4 Optical Touch Keys
    2 Configurable Outputs (Pulse/Frequency/Alarm/Analog Output)
    Grand and Resettable Totalizer
    IO-Link
    Quick Delivery
View Full Product Info
RCM
Orifice Type Differential Pressure Flow Meter
Starting at
$993
RCM - Differential Pressure Orifice Flow Meter - High Flow Rates
Accuracy
± 3% Full Scale
Measuring Ranges
0.3...2.0 GPH to 400...3000 GPM (Liquids) / 1.5...10 SCFH to 3000...20000 SCFM (Gases)
Fittings
¼"...3" NPT Thread, ½"...8" Wafer
Body Material
Bronze, Monel or SS
Media Temperature
-30...212 °F (Standard)
Optional High-Temp Design
-80...350 °F (170 ° C)
Maximum Pressure
180 PSIG (Standard)
Optional High Pressure Design
400 PSIG
Media Categories
Liquid, Gas, or Steam
    Compact Design
    Easy to Install
    For Horizontal or Vertical Pipes
    Simple & Rugged Construction
    Accuracy of ± 3 % Full Scale
    Rangeability of 6 to 1
    Flow Rates up to 3000 GPM for Liquid or 20000 SCFM for Gas
    Low Pressure Drop
    Optional Alarms and Output Signals
    Common Gas Applications: Argon, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Natural Gas, & More
    Common Application Areas: Reverse Osmosis, Blending Processes, Chillers, Cooling Water, Lube Oil, and More
View Full Product Info

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