Non-invasive liquid flow measurements at tank farms

The installation of mostly tried-and-tested invasive flow measurement technology requires pipe openings and results in temporary interruptions to the process. In isolated cases, leaks and other difficulties may occur when restarting raw material transport following the installation of in-line measuring instruments. Due to the low electrical conductivity of the raw materials handled in tank farms, electromagnetic induction measurement methods are not suitable.
Non-intrusive clamp-on flow measurement based on ultrasound offers an optimal solution for tank farms, providing reliable and repeatable contactless measurement through pipe walls without the need to shut down sections of pipework or entire plant areas.

All flowmeters in the KATflow series feature several built-in tools that simplify device setup and the installation of the transducers. The quick installation wizard guides the user step-by-step through each application and provides dynamic feedback on signal strength – and thus measurement reliability – whilst the device is being configured. A second ‘Acoustic Sensor Positioning Assistant’ uses acoustic signals to enable the operator to quickly and reliably determine the exact sensor position on pipework.

Katronic’s partner in the Benelux countries, U-F-M B.V. | Ultrasonic Flow Management uses 13 Katronic KATflow 170 ATEX flowmeters to ensure that a wide range of petrochemicals are unloaded into a so-called ‘hydrocarbon storage facility’ as quickly, efficiently and, above all, as safely as possible. It is crucial that a tanker is unloaded as quickly as possible, but this must be done within the permissible limits of safe operation. As the unloading speed increases, so does the static electrical charge in the pipeline, thereby increasing the risk of sparking. The task was to ensure a flow velocity of just under 3.5 m/s in order to maintain the flow rate without sparking. The KATflow 170 uses compact, explosion-proof clamp-on sensors to measure flow rates. Via the ATEX-certified base unit, the flow velocity is reported to the on-site control system, which ultimately modulates the pumped volume. Non-invasive flow measurements are the key to success in tank farms. The measurements are straightforward and reliable at all times, whilst ensuring compliance with all health and safety criteria.