Exotic flow meters – Mexican mangoes ensure exceptional measurement results
Despite difficult measurement conditions, the KATflow 150 delivered remarkably accurate results and once again demonstrated the capabilities of modern ultrasonic flow measurement technology.
An interesting application is proving to be extremely ‘lucrative’ for Katronic flow meters
Over the twenty years that Katronic has been active in the field of clamp-on ultrasonic flow measurement, we have seen a wide range of different applications for our measuring instruments. It is therefore refreshing that customers are still finding new and interesting applications that allow us to push the boundaries of our flowmeters and carry out measurements where we are not certain from the outset whether they will be successful.
Our partner in Mexico, Sigma Sensor, recently approached us with an unusual enquiry they had received from one of their customers in the food industry. The customer wanted to carry out measurements on a 68 mm stainless steel pipe through which mango pulp flows. Our initial reaction was one of scepticism due to the highly fibrous nature of the liquid. Nevertheless, we decided not to let the opportunity pass us by, especially as the demonstration equipment was already available.
Before we became involved, the customer had been using the delivery characteristics of a positive displacement pump to estimate the flow rate of the medium as it passed from the storage tank into the production process. However, this method was unreliable, which is why they were looking for a more precise alternative.
Sigma used a semi-portable version of the KATflow 150 flow meter for the initial installation. Following commissioning, the flow meter achieved excellent results of 5,579 l/h; the customer had expected 5,600 l/h. It would be unrealistic to assume that this level of performance can be maintained in similar applications, but it demonstrates what can be achieved through careful sensor installation, reliable parameters and a bit of luck. We regard the fact that we were able to determine the flow rates of mango pulp as confirmation of the quality of our high-performance measuring equipment and its capabilities.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you are experiencing difficulties with challenging applications or if you would like to share similar interesting success stories with us.
