Novel, highly innovative technology for flow measurement

FLOWave, Type 8098: Transmitter in standard version, with front display, sensor with clamp process connection.

Until now, Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) technology has not been used for inline flow measurement in pipelines. At ACHEMA 2015, Bürkert introduces FLOWave, a completely redesigned device based on SAW technology that eliminates many weaknesses of established measurement methods on the market.

FLOWave is a compact device for measuring flow in liquid media and, in its initial version, consists of a transmitter with or without a display and a sensor with clamp process connections. The underlying Surface Acoustic Wave technology (SAW) uses a wave propagation similar to seismic activities for measurement. A major advantage of this patented technology is that there are no fittings or constrictions, and thus no dead zones, in the measuring pipe. The measurement occurs without any contact between sensor elements and the medium. The inside of the pipe can be manufactured with the same surface quality as the rest of the pipeline and does not differ in terms of hygiene, cleaning, or flow conditions from any other straight pipe section. There is no pressure drop, no fluid effects on the sensor elements, and no interference with the medium caused by these sensors. Selecting the appropriate sensor is straightforward since the sensor variants mainly depend on nominal size and process connection. No maintenance is required.

Both the transmitter and the complete sensor, including the measuring tube, meet the highest hygienic standards, making FLOWave particularly suitable for the pharmaceutical, food, beverage, and cosmetics industries. Its compact size and low weight allow for the construction of compact systems, easy transport, and installation. FLOWave also meets the growing demands for minimal energy consumption. In addition to measuring flow and temperature, FLOWave will be expanded to include other measurements such as density and mass flow in the next step, making it one of the few devices to cover this broad range of functionalities.

Many restrictions and interference factors eliminated

The measuring device can be operated without restrictions in horizontal and vertical installation positions and works even with standing liquids, providing measurement results even at very low flow rates. Vibration disturbances from equipment are excluded. Magnetic and electrical effects do not influence the measurement. Independence from the liquid's conductivity significantly broadens its application range.

New platform ready for Industry 4.0

The SAW transducers, as a permanent part of the measuring tube, are connected via a measurement data acquisition module with a transmitter that includes both the user interface and the necessary output signals. The transmitter is based on Bürkert's new electronic platform (EDIP - Efficient Device Integration), which is intended to be used by all future devices. The design is fully modular, offering high flexibility for the customer. The connection of the electronic components is not analog as in the past but fully digital.

With EDIP, Bürkert opens the door to Industry 4.0 for its products. EDIP includes a variety of functions, standardized device-wide user interfaces, and additional innovative services that facilitate system integration of new devices.

Integration possibilities into the process

FLOWave is made entirely of stainless steel and is offered for market launch in pipe sizes DN15, DN25, DN40, and DN50 with pipe or clamp connections according to ASME, ISO, and SMS standards. FLOWave can be used with or without a display. The display, as a separate module, can be mounted on the side or above the transmitter and can be rotated in 90° steps. Power supply is 24 VDC. Two cable entries with M20 connectors and a third entry with an M12 connector form the electrical connections on the FLOWave transmitter. The output signals initially include an analog output (AO, 4…20mA) and a digital output (DO). An additional signal can be switched between AO and DO via parameterization.

The device measures volumetric flow with an accuracy of 0.4% of the measured value. Temperature is measured with an accuracy of ≤ 1°C. Depending on the nominal size, the maximum pressure is ≤ 40 bar. The medium temperature range is designed to allow CIP and SIP cleaning procedures. The ambient temperature range covers the necessary range for hygienic applications.

Further versions, additional input/output signals, fieldbus interfaces, extended functions, and diagnostic capabilities are in preparation, so Bürkert will offer a whole family of SAW-based flow measurement devices in the medium term.