Clamp-on flow meters

Three blocks had been newly built including a large lecture theatre and reading rooms but there was insufficient metering for the 250mm+ pipework. Each block included a separate boiler house with a gas meter on each. Shutting down each system and draining it each time was time consuming, making it costly to undertake any repairs.

Assistant mechanical and energy engineer, Chris Cunningham called in contractors to remedy the problem but they failed to read the invasive heat meter manufacturers’ instructions correctly. Incorrectly installed invasive heat meters result in inaccurate data which can have considerable knock-on effects. Cunningham had used the Micronics U2000 and 3000 clamp-on flow meters previously and knew that they were easy to install and, above all, allowed simple, low cost measurement without the need to cut into the pipe, saving time and cost. He was confident that a Micronics product could solve the problem.

This time, the Micronics Ultraflo U1000, a cost-engineered permanent/fixed on flow metering solution for measuring preset flow rate was specified. It provides accurate measurement of liquid flowing within a closed pipe, without the need for any mechanical parts to be inserted through the pipe wall or to protrude into the flow system. It takes just a few minutes to install by simply clamping onto the pipe, connecting the power and entering the pipe diameter – indeed no specialist skills or tools are required. Furthermore, there is no need to shut down flow or drain the system and no programming is required.

Cunningham was also pleased with the maintenance benefits offered by the non-contact technology. "I would thoroughly recommend the use of the U1000. It is compact, rugged and has proved to be completely reliable.”

There are considerable opportunities to use the Ultraflo range of Micronics products in similar applications. It is an excellent alternative the use of mechanical meters and to cutting pipes. And provides simple, low cost flow measurement from outside the pipe. In addition, there is the advantage of dry servicing, providing minimum downtime and maximum availability.