What is Electromagnetic Flowmeter Working Principle?

What is flowmeter working Principle

What is an Electromagnetic Flowmeter

An electromagnetic Flowmeter, simply known as a magnetic flowmeter ( Magmeter, Flowmeter, flow measuring device, Megflow, etc.) is a volumetric flow meter. It is a transducer that measures fluid flow by the voltage induced across the liquid by its flow through a magnetic field.

A magnetic field is applied to the metering or flow tube, which results in a potential difference proportional to the flow velocity perpendicular to the flux lines.

The Flowmeter (Standard Version) can be used for flow measurement in both the direction.

The water flow meter also gives us a DC Current Output in the range of 4-20 mA proportional to flow before delivery the measuring range is set. Indication of the flow and adjust to suit customer requirements.

Recording instruments like current indicators, communication with power panel instruments, and flow rate measuring devices can be connected with Electromagnetic Flowmeter output.

Electromagnetic Flow Meter Measuring Principle
Source: instrumentation Tools

Measuring Principle of Flowmeter

Magnetic flowmeters work based on Faraday’s Law of Electromagnetic Induction.

Faraday's law of Electromagnetic induction
Figure: 1 Faraday’s Law of Electromagnetic Induction

According to this principle, when a conductive medium passes through a magnetic field B, a voltage E is generated which is proportional to the velocity v of the medium, the density of the magnetic field, and the length of the conductor.

In a magnetic flow meter, a current is applied to wire coils mounted within or outside the meter body to generate a magnetic field.

The liquid flowing through the pipe acts as the conductor and this induces a voltage that is proportional to the average flow velocity.

This voltage is detected by sensing electrodes mounted in the Electromagnetic flowmeter body and sent to a transmitter which calculates the volumetric flow rate based on the pipe dimensions.

Mathematically,

we can state Faraday’s law as

E is proportional to V x B x L

where,

 E – is the voltage generated in a conductor,

 V- is the velocity of the conductor,

 B- is the magnetic field strength.

 L- is the length of the conductor.

Basic working of Magnetic flowmeter

It is very important that the liquid flow that is to be measured using the magnetic flow meter must be electrically conductive. Faraday’s Law indicates that the signal voltage (E) is dependent on the average liquid velocity (V), the length of the conductor (D), and the magnetic field strength (B).

Electromagnetic Flow Meter
Figure 2: Aarohi Electromagnetic Flow Meter

The Magnetic field will thus be established in the cross-section of the tube. Basically, when the conductive liquid flows through the magnetic field, voltage is induced. To measure this generated voltage (which is proportional to the velocity of the flowing liquid), two stainless steel electrodes are used which are mounted opposite each other.

The two electrodes which are placed inside the flow meter are then connected to an advanced electronic circuit that has the ability to process the signal.

The processed signal is fed into the microprocessor that calculates the volumetric flow of liquid.

To know more watch the below video for a 3D illustration of the flow meter working

Video Source: Youtube channel Endress+Hauser for more visit https://www.endress.com

Flowmeter Application

The main applications can be found in the following sectors,

  • Water and wastewater
  • Chemical and pharmaceutical industries
  • Food & beverage industry
  • Mining and cement industries
  • Pulp and paper industry
  • Steel industry
  • Ceramic industries
  • Power generation; utility and chilled water industry

Advantages of flowmeter

There are numerous benefits to using electromagnetic flowmeters to perform fluid flow measurements. 

  • No moving/rotary parts in line therefore there is no additional pressure losses is generated.
  • Only the lining of the pipe wall and the electrodes are in contact with the measured liquid.
  • The generated voltage is exact linear function of the average flow velocity.
  • The signal from the entire space filled by the magnetic field, it occurs as an average value over the pipe section.
  • They can usually measure multidirectional flow, either upstream or downstream.
  • No moving/rotary parts in line therefore there is no additional pressure losses is generated.
  • Only the lining of the pipe wall and the electrodes are in contact with the measured liquid.
  • The generated voltage is exact linear function of the average flow velocity.
  • The signal from the entire space filled by the magnetic field, it occurs as an average value over the pipe section.
  • They can usually measure multidirectional flow, either upstream or downstream.

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