Three companies, two flow meters, one satisfied customer
Both portable and stationary ultrasonic flow meters from Katronic were used to monitor a water pipeline over 100 years old located beneath a Scottish runway. The project demonstrates how both types of devices work together to ensure safe infrastructure monitoring.
Successful Teamwork in Flow Measurements at an Airport in Scotland
One of the most frequently asked questions during equipment training sessions is about the difference between fixed and portable ultrasonic flow meters in terms of their application. My standard answer to this question is, “Portable meters are used to identify problems, whereas fixed-installation meters are used to troubleshoot them.” Although this plausible explanation is certainly correct, the differences are actually much more complex.
To illustrate this, let’s consider the following recent application example of our clamp-on flow meters, which demonstrates the benefits of both device types for one of our customers in the United Kingdom. For a project at one of Scotland’s busiest airports, Katronic was asked to provide both portable and fixed-installation flow meters for measurements at the same location.
The airport operator was faced with a century-old 18-inch water main that ran directly beneath the runway and supplied water to several local towns. Given the location and age of the pipeline, there were concerns about the potential impact the installation might have on daily airport operations, particularly in the event of a failure.
With up to eight million liters of water flowing under the runway every day, it is essential for the operator to be able to monitor and determine flow rates at all times and respond to any changes in flow to prevent major incidents. First, the airport operator commissioned Syrinix, a leading provider of intelligent pipeline monitoring systems, to supply a “Pipeminder system” designed to deliver real-time data. To obtain an accurate and comprehensive overview, flow measurements were necessary, which is why Syrinix contacted Processplus Limited and requested a complete set of measurement equipment, including two stationary KATflow 100 ultrasonic flow meters from Katronic.
Before the stationary flow meters could be permanently installed on the pipelines for continuous measurement, a few spot measurements were needed to assess the site and determine the optimal installation location. To do this, Processplus engineers used the portable KATflow 200 ultrasonic handheld device at two different measurement points and recorded initial preliminary measurement data from the pipeline.
These preparatory measures were taken, on the one hand, to demonstrate that the technology was up to the demands of the measurement application and, on the other hand, to establish an initial baseline for the expected flow rates. The lightweight and easy-to-handle KATflow 200 flow meter proved ideal for the test measurements in the confined space beneath the runway. Furthermore, the fact that it was able to achieve good measurement values despite the age and condition of the pipeline was a testament to the device’s performance.
Once the initial data collection was satisfactorily completed, two KATflow 100 clamp-on flow meters were permanently installed at the previously identified measurement points. These were then connected to the Pipeminder system to enable data analysis. The system settings were configured to trigger an immediate alarm in the event of an unexpected change in flow rates. In addition, the Pipeminder system was connected to the pressure relief valves of the airport’s fire hydrants, ensuring that an immediate alarm is triggered in the event of a rapid pressure drop.
The information from this combined measurement system enables the user to monitor changes in the condition of the pipe. The system provides an early warning if there is a risk of a potential pipe rupture.
This is a typical example of the “Find it and fix it” scenario described at the beginning, but it also highlights the value and importance of the interaction between these two types of devices for the user. Thus, the portable KATflow 200 is not only helpful for identifying problems but is equally effective at providing high-quality quantitative and qualitative information in preparation for a subsequent permanent installation. Stationary measuring devices such as the KATflow 100 used here, or the KATflow 150 flow meter with an expanded device configuration, subsequently ensure reliable, continuous measurements and, as a result, a satisfied customer.
Andrew Sutton, Managing Director of Katronic Technologies Limited
