A paddlewheel flow meter has three primary components: the pipe fitting, the paddlewheel sensor, and the display, also known as the controller. The paddlewheel flow meter contains a freely rotating wheel/ impeller.
The impeller has embedded magnets that are usually perpendicular to the flow, and they will therefore rotate when you insert a flowing media. In our article, we’ll learn how the paddlewheel flow meter works in the flow measurement process.
How a paddlewheel flow meter works
A paddlewheel flow meter usually employs a fluids’ mechanical energy to help rotate the paddlewheel in the flow stream. You need to insert the paddles in the rotor into the flow, and it helps transform the energy from the flow stream to the rotating energy.
The rotor shaft will lead to the spinning of the bearing. The spinning of the paddlewheel is proportionally faster when there is a faster movement of the fluid. The rotation of the shaft is usually sensible through the detection of the movement of the paddle.
You can detect the movement of the paddle either magnetically, where every paddle produces a pulse.
When the fluids move quickly, there will be more production of the pulse. The transmitter will determine the fluid flow through the processing of the pulse signal.
Also, when the magnet spins past the sensor in the blades, the paddle flow meter produces a frequency and voltage signal that is always proportional to the flow rate.
When the flow is faster, the frequency will increase, which will, in turn, increase the voltage output. It is how the paddlewheel flow meter works. Let’s now learn how to use the paddlewheel flow meter.
How to use a paddlewheel flow meter
You can use a paddlewheel flow meter to measure the liquids’ velocity in various pipes. For example, water, liquids, and chemicals. If you install it properly, you get highly accurate results of your measurements. You can use a paddle flow meter to measure the flow at the edge of the profile flow.
However, the variation in viscosity can affect the flow measurement. Paddlewheel flowmeters are popular in systems where the fluid is the same as water. The conductivity, temperature, pressure, level, and variables are always in control. You can put all the sensors in a pipe and connect them into a single transmitter or controller.
There is the limitation of temperature and pressure of the insertion system, although it is usually versatile. The most common application for a paddlewheel flow meter is always essential in the chemical and water industries.
For a water application, there are always distribution systems in many different outlets. However, there are some miscellaneous applications that you can get in the food and beverage industry and other chemical industries.
Applications cautions for a paddlewheel flow meter
In some cases, paddlewheel flow meters usually have a low accuracy level. For instance, the rotor or bearing in low flow rates drags the rotor slowly. When operating a paddlewheel flow meter, the maximum flow should be approximately five percent.
It would be best if you did not operate a paddlewheel flow meter where the velocity is high. It is because it can lead to premature bearing wear or even damage to the whole system. When measuring the non-lubricating fluids, you also need to be careful because the bearing wear may lead to inaccuracy and failure of the flow meter.
Final words
A paddlewheel flow meter is a crucial device that you may need for your application. The device always has primary components that help in the measurement process, and it uses various parts to measure and record a device.