Innovative solution for a biomass power station
The KATflow 200 in action at the Amer power station
In large power and CHP plants, reliable flow data is essential for safe and efficient operation. However, replacing permanently installed measurement equipment often involves high costs and downtime.
Measurement tasks and requirements
Flow is a critical process for the operation of power stations or combined heat and power (CHP) plants. It is essential for keeping the systems running efficiently and safely, regardless of whether the fluid is oil, demineralised water or seawater. As part of a project by Katronic U-F-M’s sales partner responsible for the Benelux market, several flow meters were to be installed at Europe’s largest biomass power station, the Amercentrale. However, a common problem in power stations is that permanently installed flow meters become inaccurate over time or fail completely. Replacing such a device requires the pipeline to be completely shut down and drained. This is not only time-consuming and costly, as it leads to plant downtime and an increased need for labour, but could also entail unforeseeable difficulties. In the case of a nuclear power station, such a replacement might even be impossible. The aim of the project was to carry out measurements on large, corroded steel pipes where the use of an invasive flow meter would have been neither practicable nor cost-effective due to the flow conditions.
Project specifications at a glance
- Industry: Energy generation
- Installation type: Portable
- Medium: Water
- Pipe material: Steel, heavily corroded
- Pipe diameter: 900 mm
- Special feature: 1 % deviation required
Technical solution
In this case, clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeters are the perfect solution for energy supply companies. They can be retrofitted to any flow system without the need to shut off and drain the pipeline during installation.
Methodology and results
The use of the portable KATflow 200 proved to be successful. With the help of the Katronic flow meter, U-F-M was able to achieve satisfactory results despite the size of the pipe and the presence of particles in the water. Amercentrale praised its accuracy, reliability and reproducibility.