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The Portaflow 300 brings a new simplicity to the
non-invasive measurement of liquid flow. This clamp-on
ultrasonic instrument offers the user quick and accurate flow
measurement from outside the pipe.
Micronics engineers have utilised their 15 years experience of
developing portable flow measuring instruments to design a
compact rugged and reliable unit. The instrument gives a
digital readout of velocity or volumetric flow rate and total
integrated flow in either imperial or metric units. Output
include an RS232, 4-20mA and pulse that allow the user
more versatility when collecting application data.
The Portaflow 300 is supplied in a waterproof carrying case
which houses the electronics, transducer assemblies and all
mounting hardware suitable for most flow applications. A
separate carrying case is used when transducer set D is
included within the kit of parts supplied.
The instrument is able to work on a wide variety of pipe sizes
from 13mm up to 5000mm, simply by selecting the correct
transducers and attaching them to the outside of the pipewall
using the hardware provided.
Operation is push button easy such that the user is only
required to know the pipe dimensions and the type of pipe
wall material. All other application parameters can be
measured by the instrument itself.
PRINCIPLE
The Portaflow 300 is a Transit Time ultrasonic flow meter that
has been designed to work with clamp-on transducers, thus
enabling liquid flowing within a closed pipe to be measured
accurately, without the need for any mechanical parts to be
inserted through the pipe wall or to protrude into the flow
system. When ultrasound is transmitted between transducers
X and Y, the speed at which the sound travels through the
liquid is accelerated slightly by the velocity of the liquid
through the pipe.
When ultrasound is transmitted in the
opposite direction, the flow of the liquid causes the
transmitted sound to decelerate. The subsequent time
difference is directly proportional to the flow velocity in the
pipe. Having measured the flow velocity and knowing the
pipe cross-sectional area, the volumetric flow can be easily
calculated. Micronics engineers have developed a
measurement technique which has the ability to resolve
extremely small time differences down to 25 pico seconds
(25x10-12 seconds), thus giving extremely good performance
on small pipes or in large pipes with low velocity flows.
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ELECTRONICS
The Portaflow 300 electronics are housed in an IP66
enclosure which incorporates the graphic display, keypad,
sensor and output facility connections. The Microprocessor
driven electronics makes the instrument respond quickly to
any instructions given. Programming the unit is carried out by
selecting the options displayed in the main menu and by
following the simple instructions given. Flow readings can
then be achieved on most applications within a few minutes.
The use of rechargeable batteries allows the unit to be
operated for a period in excess of 24 hours depending on the
facilities used. Continuous operation via the PSU is possible
while also recharging the battery pack. The graphic display
provides flow data in large highly visible characters which can
be enhanced by the use of the back light facility, making it
possible to read the flow rate from a distance of 5-10 metres
away under extremely poor lighting conditions. Error
messages, battery status, signal strength, application
temperature, time and date are all continuously displayed, as
well as flow information in either numerical or graph format,
keeping the user fully aware of the measurement process.
Languages are available as an option, in English, French or
German. They can be supplied on disc to be downloaded via
the RS232 or already programmed into the instrument.
TRANSDUCERS
The Portaflow 300 is able to work with four different
transducer sets, depending on the application. High
temperature sensors are now supplied as standard. The
instrument is supplied with transducer sets A and B as
standard. Transducer sets C and D are available as options
to increase the velocity and pipe range of the instrument. D
transducers will only work up to +80ēC and are supplied and
are supplied seperately with webbing straps. Chains are used
to secure the guide rails to the pipe. Magnetic assemblies are
available for the B guide rail only.
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