Multi-parameter flow meter cuts waste by identifying fluids

Flow meters come in all shapes and sizes, and finding the most appropriate design for a particular application can be difficult. However, for hygienic applications, the starting line-up will be considerably shorter because those that are difficult to clean - or unable to withstand Clean in Place (CIP) procedures - will be ruled out.

In fact, these cleaning processes have a significant impact on many aspects of the design when it comes to selecting the most suitable components. CIP uses both heat and chemicals to remove scale, bacteria and debris from process vessels and pipework, which will often include a flow meter.

Modern facilities are used to manufacture a range of products and companies are faced with the challenge of ensuring that one product is not contaminated by another. In many cases this process is completed using a timer, so, when the first product run has finished, the lines and vessels are flushed and cleaned, with the output going to the drain.

The duration of the water/cleaning flush is a fixed period to guarantee that none of the previous product remains in the system. Then the next product to be manufactured starts to flow, and this also continues to drain for a further period until it is certain that none of the water or cleaning solutions are in the line.

To be sure there is no contamination, safety factors are built in to these processes, which inevitably means that a certain amount of cleaning fluids and saleable products are sent to the drain. By offering a method of very accurately identifying the fluids and their flow volume in the pipework, Brkert can deliver considerable cost savings as well as improving productivity for manufacturers.

Improving productivity

The FLOWave flow meter uses surface acoustic wave (SAW) technology to obtain a direct measurement of flow combined with temperature readings and interpretations for density (as a density factor), and an acoustic transmission factor, which gives an indication of bubbles, solids and viscosity. Together, these parameters can be analysed to provide real-time indications of the contents of the pipework.

FLOWave is well suited for hygienic applications; the smooth wall flow-through pipe design means there is no direct contact of any sensor components with the fluid. In addition, as a stainless steel tube, it can be manufactured to the same diameter and surface finish as the rest of the pipeline, meaning that, in terms of hygiene, cleaning and flow conditions, there is no difference to any other piece of straight pipe.

This ground-breaking device for flow measurement uses the combination of density factor and the acoustic transmission factor to accurately determine what fluids are in the system at a particular point - and to minimise the amount of saleable product that is sent to the drain as part of a safety margin. Similarly, if a cleaning process is being used, savings in both time and materials can be made by having a clear indication when the process has been completed.

In real-world examples, operators have found that they not only save product that would have otherwise been wasted, but they also save considerable amounts of time. By reducing the total time attributed to a changeover, in some cases up to 50 per cent, the productivity of the process is greatly improved. In addition, the reduction in the amount of fluids being sent to the drain also delivers savings in water treatment costs.

Widening applications

During the commissioning process of a FLOWave, the various fluids that will flow through the system are calibrated for acoustic transmission factor and density factor. This process can be fine-tuned but, essentially, while a mixture of fluids passes through the FLOWave, the values will be changing. Once it stabilises around the value set for one of the pure fluids a signal can be sent to change the valve position that directs fluids to drain or to packaging.

In addition, FLOWave can give an indication of the level of carbonation, in terms of a percentage, or the amount of fruit pulp in a juice, or the cocoa solids content of chocolate, for example. In fact, as more manufacturers take advantage of this technology, an even wider range of applications is becoming apparent.

For the food and beverage sector, the simple physical design makes FLOWave easy to integrate into an existing installation and its control infrastructure. The ability to offer improved control systems that reduce waste, save time and maintain rigorous hygiene standards are distinct advantages for the industry.

Follow the link to learn more about the FLOWave flowmeter.