Innovative flow measurement for superyachts
Complex fluid monitoring on board
The use of non-contact clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeters has enabled reliable monitoring of the engine and supply systems – without the need for any intervention in the pipework and under conditions that are ideal for use at sea.
Measurement tasks and requirements
One of the world’s largest private superyachts, VAVA II, required flow meters as additional equipment and as part of the engine management system to monitor all main water inlet and outlet flows to the four ship’s engines. The 97-metre-long vessel, built in the UK, is regarded as a masterpiece of British craftsmanship; however, fluid systems on medium-sized and large vessels are often highly complex. They consist of kilometres of pipework that supply the vessel with various fluids to different areas. Controlling and maintaining these flow rates can be very labour-intensive and time-consuming. When a vessel is commissioned, all fuel, oil, water, cooling and fire-extinguishing systems must be tested for functionality before handover. Once the ship has commenced operations, regular inspection and maintenance of all the ship’s pipework is necessary. As access to this pipework is often restricted and the integrity of the pipes must be maintained, this can prove difficult.
Project specifications at a glance
- Industry: Marine and shipbuilding
- Installation type: Stationary
- Medium: Seawater
- Temperature: Up to +130 °C
- Pipe diameter: 50 … 100 mm
- Pipe material: Copper/nickel bronze
- Special feature: Flow meter housing with customised paint finish
Technical solution
Due to restricted access to the measuring points and because the manufacturer did not want built-in flowmeters to be installed on the open sea for maintenance reasons, it was decided to use clamp-on flowmeters.
Methodology and results
Katronic was commissioned to install 11 KATflow 100 flowmeters on the vessel. Katronic engineers were subsequently involved in commissioning the system, with the portable KATflow 200 proving to be a particularly useful tool for identifying the optimal installation locations for the fixed KATflow 100 flowmeters.
Image source: jcstudio/Freepik