Reliable data for a safe drinking water supply

As the previously installed electric flow meter could no longer withstand the high water pressure loads occurring during full-load operation and had been damaged, the drinking water supplier Fernwasserversorgung Elbaue-Ostharz GmbH required a new metering system solution for a flow measurement point. To reliably ensure the supply of drinking water to end customers in the region, large amounts of energy and high-performance pumping systems are required. As a rule, several pumping stations are involved in this task, which can lead to high water pressures in the distribution network. Whilst these pressures are necessary for transporting the water, they also place a considerable strain on the metering technology used. A particular challenge was that the new metering equipment was not permitted to come into contact with the medium. In addition to this requirement, compliance with the high hygiene standards in the drinking water supply also played a decisive role in the selection of the measurement system. Furthermore, the limited space available at the measurement point had to be taken into account.

The solution was provided by the KATflow 150 stationary ultrasonic flow meter, which offers a wide range of output options for integration into the customer’s network via an analogue output and a Profibus interface. As the customer had already had positive experiences with clamp-on flow measurement systems, the water supplier decided to purchase the device.

Thanks to the non-invasive clamp-on technology, it was not necessary to interrupt the process, carry out any modifications or open the pipework. This means that regular flushing to remove deposits from the measuring probes is no longer required at all. Furthermore, the purchase cost of the measuring system was significantly lower than that of comparable invasive measuring technology, and the personnel and logistical costs involved in commissioning were considerably reduced.

The installed measurement system now continuously supplies reliable data to the control room, enabling constant monitoring of the relevant section of the network and ensuring rapid intervention in the event of a fault. The measurement accuracy of the ultrasonic flow meter was expressly praised by the customer and substantiated by comparative figures, meaning that Katronic will also be consulted for future measurement tasks.