New High-Accuracy, Space-Saving Flow Meter Measures Gases in Crowded Installations

Engineers and technicians seeking a highly-accurate, reliable mass flow
measurement solution for hydrogen, natural gas, and other gases in small line processes and for skid-mounted equipment assemblies will find the new ST75Vâ„¢ Air/Gas FlowMeter from Fluid Components International (USA) delivers breakthrough performance in a space-saving design that simplifies installation and reduces costs.
The ST75V combines highly reliable, no-moving parts thermal mass flow sensing technology with built-in precision Vortab® flow conditioning to achieve +1% rdg, +0.5% fs accuracy, in line sizes from 0.25 to 2.0 inches (6 to 51mm). It sets a new industry price-performance standard for mass flow measurement accuracy at an economical installed cost--with low maintenance and low lifecycle costs as well.
In many applications, either space limitations or other devices, such as valves or elbows, make it impossible to install a flow meter with the required upstream/downstream straight-pipe run. This results in swirl and flow profile disturbances that invalidate the flow meter’s accuracy. The ST75V solves this problem with built-in flow conditioning that eliminates media disturbances while reducing the needed pipe straight-run by up to 70%.
The ST75V’s integral Vortab flow conditioner features a unique, engineered array of tabs. They provide rapid crossstream mixing to remove swirl and velocity problems, creating a smooth, fully developed flow profile for accurate measurement. There is also virtually no pressure loss with Vortab technology, which reduces plant energy costs by optimizing throughput.
Blending high accuracy with extensive features, the ST75V measures process gas or air flows from 0.01 SCFM (0.01 NCMH) to 559 SCFM (950 NCMH). Ideal for both low-flow and high-flow applications, the ST75V provides three unique outputs of the mass flow rate, totalized flow and media temperature.
The ST75V was developed to be the highest-accuracy, lowest cost, small-line thermalmass flow solution for processes that flow hazardous fuel gases such as hydrogen, natural gas, methane, as well as air, oxygen, nitrogen and all inert gases. It is ideal for use in fuel and air feed lines to furnaces, burners, industrial ovens, heat treating systems, boilers, and power co-generation equipment found in the manufacturing and process industries.
The ST75V’s sensor design is all-welded stainless steel with Hastelloy-C tips that provide extra protection against invasive conditions within the pipe. This rugged design also features no orifices or moving parts to clog or foul, which eliminates unplanned shutdowns, reduces maintenance and extends sensor life. The transmitter is enclosed in a rugged, all-metal, dust and water resistant, NEMA Type 4X (IP67) rated package which is FM and ATEX agency approved for installations in hazardous locations.
The ST75V is an ideal replacement for differential pressure, orifice plate, turbine and vortex technology meters in rugged or dirty plant environments. In compressed air systems, where energy savings can be realized by increasing efficiency, the ST75V is sensitive enough at low flows to signal leakage. Superior installed accuracy is assured with FCI’s own Calibration Laboratory, which calibrates the ST75V to actual gases, such as hydrogen, rather than the typical industry practice of setting to only an air equivalency.
The ST75V’s standard outputs are fully scaleable 4-20mA and 0-10V that are user assignable to flow rate and/or temperature and a 0-1kHz pulse output of total flow. The instrument can be ordered for powering by 24Vdc or 115/230VAC, with or without a built-in LCD digital display, and in local or remote-mounted electronics configurations