Averaging pitot tube flow sensor challenges competition on price and accuracy

Citation

(2000), "Averaging pitot tube flow sensor challenges competition on price and accuracy", Sensor Review, Vol. 20 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.2000.08720bad.013

Averaging pitot tube flow sensor challenges competition on price and accuracy

Averaging pitot tube flow sensor challenges competition on price and accuracy

Keywords: Sensors, Pricing

KDG Instruments is launching a new averaging pitot tube flow sensor offering accuracy and repeatability to match the best on the market, at a significantly lower price. The KB Series uses an innovative square-section pitot tube design, and a precision cold drawn bar with a pulsed plasma-weld manufacturing process, to set a new price-performance standard in this competitive market (see Plate 12).

Averaging pitot technology has widely-recognised advantages for measurement of liquid, gas and steam flows. It offers more installation flexibility than the traditional orifice plate, and produces a much lower pressure loss, with significant power savings as a result. It is not greatly affected by wear or build-up as the orifice plate tends to be, so offers better long-term accuracy. The arrival of KB Series cuts costs for high-end applications in chemical and petrochemical processing, for example, and allows competitive high-accuracy flow measurement in others such as boiler-house, HVAC and effluent treatment aeration control.

Plate 12 The new KB Series averaging pitot tube flow sensor from KDG Instruments offers accuracy and repeatability to match the best on the market, at a significantly lower price

Installed in horizontal or vertical pipelines, KB Series offers a 1 percent accuracy of differential pressure measurement. This is as good as the most expensive instruments available and significantly better than similarly-priced low cost designs based on rounded cross-section tubes. If space is limited, the sensor may be "elbow-mounted" close to a bend in the pipe, and will still deliver predictable performance. For simplicity, there are just four sensor sizes in the KB Series range, providing flow measurement for pipes from 0.5 to 78 inches (15mm to 2m). The standard unit is manufactured in all stainless steel, for wide chemical compatibility.

KB Series sensors are available on their own for use with remote pressure transmitters and indicators, or complete with a direct-mounted 4301 transmitter, also manufactured by KDG Instruments. This combination delivers precise flow measurement through efficient energy transfer direct from high-accuracy sensor to transmitter, eliminating potential pressure loss from impulse line connections.

KB Series is designed and built in the UK at the company's site in Crawley, using a uniquely-profiled solid section, and an innovative linear-pulsed plasma welding technique patented by KDG Instruments.

For further information please contact: KDG Instruments, Crompton Way, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 2YZ, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 1293 525151; Fax: +44 (0) 1293 533095.