ABSTRACT
When looking at selection criteria common sense should apply. Accurate fiscal measurement should not be assigned to a low-cost variable area ‘rotameter’ any more than one would use an expensive Coriolis meter for indication purposes for a process analyser. Whilst too many buyers are influenced by cost in reality, the most important selection criteria is application suitability. Can the instrument you choose perform its task to the best of its ability, within the application environment, to the required accuracy, with minimum maintenance requirements, with minimum calibration requirements and drift? Fit and forget or fit and fret?
Other issues should include choice of supplier, choice of turndown ratio, chemical compatibility, and abnormal-operating conditions in terms of temperature, abrasive particles need for CIP/SIP; variations in viscosity, variations in density and abnormal alkaline/acidic levels, and need for pigging.
And finally, a brief review of each of the main 21 flow-metering technologies is provided.
