MEASURING TASK
Flows represent essential processes in the operation of power plants or cogeneration plants. Regardless of whether the fluid is oil, demineralized water, or seawater, these flows are important to keep the systems running efficiently and safely. Power plants often face the problem that the flow meters permanently installed in the pipes during plant construction become inaccurate with age or fail completely. To replace an in-line flow meter, the pipeline must be completely shut down and pumped out. This is not only time-consuming and costly in terms of plant downtime and increased labor requirements, but could also cause unforeseen difficulties or, in the case of a nuclear power plant, may even be impossible.
SOLUTION
For this reason, clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters, like the KATFLOW200, are the perfect solution for energy utilities. They can be retrofitted to any flow system without having to shut down and pump out the line during installation. One application example is a project by U-F-M (Ultrasonic Flow Management), Katronic's distributor for the BeNeLux market. Several flow meters were installed at Amercentrale, Europe's largest biomass power plant. This application required measurements on large, corroded steel pipes where the flow conditions made the use of an invasive flow meter neither practical nor cost-effective. Despite the size of the pipe and the particle-laden water, the customer was very satisfied with the results U-F-M was able to provide using the Katronic flow meters, particularly in terms of accuracy, reliability, and repeatability.
ADVANTAGES
• Simple, quick, and cost-effective installation on existing lines
• Multi-channel devices can measure multiple pipelines simultaneously
• Integration into existing or future control systems is possible
• Can be used on pipes made of a wide variety of materials, including duplex stainless steel
• Measurement of non-conductive liquids, such as demineralized water and fuels
• Retrofitting on radioactive water pipes is possible
