What is a Manifold Flow Meter?

Manifold flow meters are a series of flow meters, typically variable area flowmeters, that are preassembled at the factory into manifold valve blocks, like our USR. Manifold valves can be sold independently and assembled by the end user, like our BVB manifold valves that are designed for our VKG and VKM all-metal viscosity compensated variable area flowmeters.

Flow meters assembled into a manifold valve block allow the user to see, measure, and control the rate of flow in different lines, also referred to as loops. Integral valves for each flowmeter/line allow the flow for just that line to be increased, decreased, or turned off entirely. The meters can also be set to ensure each line is receiving the exact same amount of flow.

The flow rate for glass tube variable area flow meters is read by referencing a float inside the glass tube and then referenced against the scale printed directly on the glass tube. This allows for precision distribution by simple valve adjustments while watching the flow rate as it changes on the flow meter scale.

Adjusting the flow on a manifold valve is easy, you simply turn the valve on the line that you want to adjust to increase or restrict the flow in that line. The adjusted rate of flow is immediately available in the integral scale printed on the glass tube of the variable area flow meter.

This is a term typically used in residential plumbing applications to control how incoming water is channeled or distributed to different parts of the home that require water. While it is not something that was incorporated into older homes, newer homes sometimes implement this to make best use of their incoming water. A main water flow pipeline is essentially split via ports into other pipes taking the water to different destinations. Controlling the water flow with more precision delivers savings of money and energy, especially in areas where water is not a plentiful resource and can even be restricted during times of scarcity.

Manifold valves for flow are not only used in domestic applications. They are also used in industrial settings as well. They can also deliver cost savings and improve the performance of certain processes. With industrial manifold valves, they are typically used in the process industry where they control various flow rates to parts of the process or parts of the plant. In essence they function the same as the domestic applications where flow per line/loop can be controlled by increasing, decreasing, or shutting down flow to certain lines.

While most domestic applications are only going to be running water through the flow manifold valves, industrial processes may use other types of liquids as well. Common industrial applications for flow manifold valves include cooling circuits and pump applications.

In most applications, whether domestic, residential, or industrial, manifold valve assemblies deliver cost savings and increased energy efficiency.