Emerson Launches Non-Intrusive, Portable Ultrasonic Flow Meters

Emerson’s newest flow meter is designed to clamp onto pipes, making it possible to take quick measurements in specific locations without interrupting service or downtime. The Flexim FLUXUS 631’s non-intrusive design helps troubleshooting efforts by enabling users to quickly check fluid flow on demand.

Emerson’s Flexim FLUXUS 631 series of ultrasonic flow meters features a portable, clamp-on design. Image courtesy of Emerson

Non-Intrusive Ultrasonic Flow Measurement

Many flow meters must be placed in-line with process fluid flow. For example, a standard orifice gauge requires that the pipe be cut and an orifice plate be placed across the gap. This plate can be the source of leaks itself, must be replaced periodically, and requires downtime on the line for placement and maintenance. Furthermore, the installation is permanent; the pipe is cut and the device installed.

Flexim FLUXUS 631 Clamp-On Flow Meters

Emerson’s new Flexim FLUXUS 631 series can be used with virtually any fluid, including compressed air and steam. In industry, “fluids” include liquids and gases, as fluid flow equations treat these as virtually the same, though the Reynolds number will be different.

For flow measurements, the Flexim FLUXUS 631 can measure both liquids and gases. Liquid flow rates can be measured in five minutes, from setup to data. Furthermore, data sampling rates can be as fast as 20 ms, meaning quick changes can be detected. This meter will also handle more complex situations, such as liquids with a high percentage of entrained gases (e.g., lines with air bubbles).

The Flexim FLUXUS 631 series delivers rapid liquid and gas measurements for field troubleshooting. Video courtesy of Emerson | Flexim

Besides flow measurements, the Flexim FLUXUS 631 can also determine gas density and concentration. It has a built-in dynamic gas meter feature that can perform these calculations, meaning gases do not have to be collected and run through a separate chromatograph to verify concentration. Some models can measure thermal energy, disturbed flow, and other relevant quantities.

The meter is powered by a lithium-ion battery. It is designed to run 80 days in a row on a single charge in its “long term monitoring” mode, and 25 hours in continuous operation. The case is rated to IP65 or IP67, depending on the specific model. Communication to and from the meter is performed through Modbus RTU, current output, or USB connections.

The Flexim FLUXUS 631 flow meters feature flexible digital connectivity and an ultra-low-power monitoring mode that lasts up to 80 days. Image courtesy of Emerson

Reliable Liquid, Gas, and Steam Measurement

The ability to measure flow through a pipe without adding new cuts, T’s, or wells to the line is an advantage almost every industry can use. If there is fluid flow, be it gas or liquid, the ultrasonic flow meter is a good choice, regardless of specific industry.

Chemical and petroleum industries will see the obvious benefit, but the ability to spot-check lines means technicians can troubleshoot leaky air lines and verify steam flow (or the absence of steam before maintenance). Compressed air is often considered the “fourth utility,” and air leaks constitute a major expense that can be hard to detect.

Besides leak testing, the FLUXUS 631 can be used to verify compressor operation, monitor conditions, or collect data in thermal modeling, fluid flow calculations, and other such vital calculations for optimization purposes.