Card-Type and Clamp-On Ultrasonic Flow Meters: Features and Differences
1. Installation Method
Card-type ultrasonic flow meter: Typically employs a flange-clamp installation method. No pipe disassembly is required; the flow meter is simply clamped between the pipe flanges to complete installation. This straightforward operation is particularly suitable for pipelines already in operation, enabling installation without interrupting production.
External-mount ultrasonic flow meter: Sensors are secured to the pipe's external surface using coupling agents or clamps, avoiding direct contact with the measured fluid. Installation requires no pipe cutting or welding; merely clean the pipe surface and ensure proper coupling between the sensor and pipe.
2. Applicable Scenarios
Card-type ultrasonic flowmeter: Frequently employed in agricultural irrigation, water resource monitoring, and industrial water applications. Particularly suited to scenarios demanding installation convenience and waterproof performance, such as outdoor pipelines or humid environments.
External-mount ultrasonic flowmeters: Widely deployed in chemical, petroleum, power generation, and wastewater treatment industries. Compatible with pipelines of various materials (e.g., metal, plastic), they are particularly suited for measuring corrosive, flammable, explosive, or high-viscosity fluids, as well as applications demanding high pipeline integrity.
3. Measurement Accuracy
Card-type ultrasonic flowmeter: Employing advanced ultrasonic measurement technology and intelligent algorithms, it achieves high-precision measurement, typically with accuracy ranging from ±1% to ±2% (depending on specific model and operating conditions).
Clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeter: Measurement accuracy is influenced by factors such as pipe material, wall thickness, fluid characteristics, and installation conditions. General accuracy is ±1% to ±2%, with some high-end models achieving enhanced precision through optimised algorithms and sensor design.
4. Maintenance Costs
Card-type ultrasonic flowmeters: Featuring a non-invasive design with no mechanical wear components and no fluid contact, these units minimise risks of sensor corrosion or blockage, resulting in lower maintenance expenses.
External-mount ultrasonic flowmeters: Sensors are installed on the pipe's external surface, eliminating the need for periodic pipe disassembly during maintenance. However, regular checks of sensor-to-pipe coupling are required to ensure stable measurement signals.
5. Price and Cost-Effectiveness
Card-type ultrasonic flowmeters: Simple structure and easy installation result in relatively lower prices, making them particularly suitable for small-to-medium diameter pipelines and cost-sensitive applications.
External-mount ultrasonic flowmeters: Prices vary by model, accuracy, and functionality, but they generally offer high cost-effectiveness for large-diameter pipelines and scenarios requiring high-precision measurement.
Summary: Card-type ultrasonic flowmeters suit scenarios demanding installation ease and waterproofing, such as agricultural and outdoor applications. Clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeters are better suited for industrial fluid measurement, particularly excelling in corrosive or high-viscosity fluids. Selection should be based on comprehensive consideration of specific operating conditions, pipeline characteristics, and budget.
