Flow meters are instruments used to detect the mass and the volumetric flow of liquids and gasses via a pipe. According to the material of the flow meter, type of fluid flowing and its application in various fields. The flow meters are separated into various categories.
The paddlewheel sensor has a freely rotating wheel or impeller with embedded magnets perpendicular to the flow and will rotate if inserted in the flowing medium.
Working of the Paddle Wheel Flow Meters
When the magnets in the blades spin past the sensor, the paddlewheel meter produces a frequency and voltage signal proportional to the flow rate—the faster the flow, the higher the frequency and the voltage output.
The paddle wheel meter is made to be inserted into a pipe fitting, either ‘in-line’ or insertion way. These are found with an extensive range of fittings styles, connection methods, and materials like PVDF, polypropylene, and stainless steel. Like the turbine meters, the paddlewheel meter needs a minimum straight pipe run before and after the sensor.
Flow providers and controllers are used to taking the signal from the paddle wheel meter and change it into actual flow rate or total flow values. The processed signal may be used to manage the process, produce an alarm, and send signals to external.
Paddlewheel flowmeters are also called Pelton wheel sensors. This produces a relatively low-cost, high accuracy option for various flow system applications, generally water or water-like fluids.
Paddle Wheel Flow sensor Advantages
- Cheap cost solution with high flow system accuracy
Simple to install and operate, leading to a low cost of ownership
- No pressure drop creating it ideal for gravity flows
- Insertion flowmeter design lowers installation and management costs
Paddle Wheel Flow Meter Limitations
- Paddlewheel meters do best with clean fluids as particulates may secure the paddle from spinning properly
- Not good for gases
- Needs a turbulent flow profile consistent fluid velocity across the pipe diameter for accuracy
- It needs a straight run of pipe before and after the flow meter to enable swirl patterns in the flow stream to dissipate
- Paddlewheel meters may not work properly with high viscosity fluids where the flow profile is laminar
- The pipe should be full; any air in the line can cause inaccuracies
Continuous maintenance is needed to get accurate results in regular courses. They are used to regulate the chemical metering pump output. To accurately measure default fluid volumes in dispensing systems, an irrigation process and informing the users of the fluctuating flow outside a programmed range.
The paddlewheel liquid flow meter has a straightforward structure with superior reproduce and receptivity, involving quick installation and low maintenance. It has a compact style and can detect a considerable quantity of fluid at a cheap cost. It lacks pressure drop, hence used for gravitational flows.
Conclusion
Normally applications for paddlewheel flow meters include the correct measurement of preset fluid volumes in dispensing systems, control chemical metering pump output: Flow verification, irrigation systems alerting users to flow rate increases or reduces outside a programmed range.
