Thermal dispersion mass flow meters provide an accurate means of mass flow measurement with no moving parts and little or no encroachment on the media flow path. There are a number of different configurations to be found among various manufacturers, but all function in basically the same manner.
Two sensors are exposed to the heat transferring effect of the flowing media. When the media composition is known, the mass flow can be calculated using the meter reading and the pipe cross sectional area. One of the flow meter sensors is heated, the other is allowed to follow the media temperature as a reference. The heat dispersion from the heated sensor is measured and used to calculate mass flow.
Some positive attributes of thermal dispersion flow meters:
- In-line and insertion configurations available to accommodate very small to large pipe sizes
- Rugged Construction
- No moving parts
- Measure liquid or gas in a wide range of applications
- Measurement not adversely impacted by changes in pressure or temperature
- Wide range of process connections
- In-line versions provide unobstructed flow path
- Wide turndown suitable for extended flow range
- Flow rate and totalized flow
- 4-20 mA output interfaces easily with other instruments and equipment
