Ultrasonic Flow Measurement for Gases
Ultrasonic flow measurement for gases provides non-contact and reliable volume flow measurements – even at atmospheric pressures or in metal pipework. Our clamp-on sensors utilise shear and Lamb waves, enabling precise measurements across an exceptionally wide pressure range – without interrupting the process or requiring any intervention in the pipework.
Ideal for natural gas, compressed air, industrial gases or process gases – for maximum transparency, efficiency and safety in your operations.
New Opportunities for Industrial Gas Applications
Non-invasive flow measurement of gases places significantly greater demands on measurement technology than the measurement of liquids. Gaseous media attenuate ultrasonic signals to a greater extent, which means that conventional measurement methods often only function reliably under specific pressure conditions.
Our advanced ultrasonic technology overcomes these limitations and enables stable and precise clamp-on measurements across an exceptionally wide range of applications – from high-pressure pipelines to applications involving low or even atmospheric pressure.
The gas flowmeters combine the tried-and-tested features of the KATflow range, such as robust instrument design, high-quality sensor technology and ease of use, with advanced ultrasonic hardware that pushes the boundaries of what was previously possible. This enables a wide variety of gases to be measured reliably – even in metallic pipework and industrial applications that were previously considered particularly challenging.
In addition to the further development of ultrasonic technology, the sensor technology has also been specifically refined. By using a reduced number of sensors, both shear-wave and Lamb-wave measurements can be carried out. This significantly broadens the range of applications whilst simultaneously reducing complexity and the risk of incorrect applications. The current generation of instruments enables the reliable measurement of a wide variety of gases in pipework with diameters of up to 1,500 mm, at flow velocities of 0.1 to 75 m/s and a moisture content of up to 5 per cent.
How Does Gas Flow Measurement Work?
Ultrasonic Flow Measurement Based on the Shear-Wave Principle
In shear wave technology, ultrasonic signals travel through the pipe and the gas both in the direction of flow and against it. The flow velocity of the gas is calculated from the difference in the transit times of the signals. As gas attenuates ultrasound more than liquids, this method is primarily used in gas pipelines operating at higher pressures, where sufficiently strong signals can be transmitted.
Ultrasonic Flow Measurement Based on the Lamb Wave Principle
Lamb wave technology is used for low-pressure applications. In this method, ultrasonic signals are specifically tuned to the resonance frequency of the pipe wall and the pipe material, so that the pipe itself acts as a transmission medium for the ultrasonic waves. This method produces higher received signal amplitudes and compensates for signal attenuation caused by the gas. The larger active transmission area improves signal propagation and allows for more reliable adaptation to fluctuations in temperature, pressure and gas composition. This results in significantly stronger received signals, enabling reliable measurements even at low pressures or under atmospheric conditions.
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