Due to its structural characteristics (glass material, mechanical measurement principle), the glass rotor flowmeter has obvious limitations in the following industrial applications, and may even cause safety hazards or measurement errors. ThereforeNot suitable for use：

1、 High pressure environment

• reasonThe pressure resistance of glass rotor flow meters is limited, with ordinary models typically having a pressure resistance of ≤ 1.0 MPa and high-temperature models having a pressure resistance of ≤ 3.0 MPa. If the medium pressure exceeds the rated value, the glass tube may rupture, causing medium leakage and even personal injury.
• typical scenario：
  • High pressure steam pipeline (pressure>1.0 MPa)
  • High pressure gas storage tank outlet (such as compressed air and nitrogen storage tanks)
  • Hydraulic system (hydraulic oil pressure usually>10 MPa)
• alternativeChoose a metal rotor flowmeter (with a pressure resistance of up to 40 MPa) or a turbine flowmeter.

2、 High temperature environment

• reasonGlass material has a lower upper limit of temperature resistance (ordinary type ≤ 120 ℃, high temperature type ≤ 300 ℃), and exceeding this range can cause the glass to soften, deform, or even break. In addition, high temperatures may cause the float to expand, affecting measurement accuracy.
• typical scenario：
  • Boiler outlet steam pipeline (temperature>300 ℃)
  • Exhaust pipes for smelting furnaces and heat treatment furnaces
  • High temperature oil transportation pipeline (such as thermal oil, temperature>250 ℃)
• alternativeChoose a metal rotor flowmeter (with a temperature resistance of up to 500 ℃) or a thermal mass flowmeter.

3、 Highly corrosive medium

• reasonOrdinary glass rotor flow meters can only withstand weakly corrosive media (such as dilute acid and dilute alkali). Highly corrosive media such as concentrated sulfuric acid and aqua regia can corrode glass pipes or lining materials, leading to leaks.
• typical scenario：
  • Pipelines for transporting concentrated sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid in chemical production
  • Cleaning equipment for the semiconductor industry
  • Strong acid leaching process in hydrometallurgy
• alternativeChoose a metal rotor flowmeter lined with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or Hastelloy, or use a corrosion-resistant electromagnetic flowmeter.

4、 High viscosity medium

• reasonHigh viscosity media (such as lubricating oil, resin, honey) can hinder the movement of the float, resulting in low readings or float jamming. In addition, changes in viscosity can significantly affect the flow coefficient and require frequent correction.
• typical scenario：
  • Syrup and chocolate syrup transportation in the food industry
  • Production of polymer solutions and paint coatings in the chemical industry
  • Preparation of paste like drugs in the pharmaceutical industry
• alternativeChoose viscosity corrected metal rotor flowmeter, elliptical gear flowmeter, or mass flowmeter.

5、 Pulsating flow or severe vibration environment

• reasonPulsating flow (such as pump outlet, compressor outlet) or severe vibration can cause the float to frequently bounce, resulting in unstable readings and even damage to the internal structure of the flowmeter.
• typical scenario：
  • Reciprocating compressor outlet pipeline
  • Pump outlet flow control circuit
  • Pipelines near vibrating screens and crushers
• alternativeInstall buffers or dampers, or choose anti vibration turbine flow meters or Coriolis mass flow meters.

6、 Solid particles or fiber media

• reasonImpurities such as solid particles and fibers in the medium can trap the float or scratch the glass tube, causing the flowmeter to fail.
• typical scenario：
  • Sludge conveying pipeline in sewage treatment
  • Pulp conveying in the papermaking industry
  • Mineral slurry transportation in the mining industry
• alternativeChoose wear-resistant electromagnetic flow meters, target flow meters, or scraper flow meters.

7、 In situations where remote signal transmission or automated control is required

• reasonGlass rotor flow meters are usually of the local indication type. If remote signal transmission (such as 4-20mA) or integration into an automation control system is required, additional sensors and transmitters need to be installed, which is costly and reduces reliability.
• typical scenario：
  • Unmanned automated production line
  • Process flows that require data recording or remote monitoring
  • Distributed Control System (DCS) or Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) integration
• alternativeDirectly select metal rotor flowmeter, electromagnetic flowmeter or turbine flowmeter with live signal output.

8、 Flammable and explosive environment

• reasonThe glass rotor flowmeter has no explosion-proof design. If used in flammable and explosive media such as hydrogen, methane, and gasoline vapor, it may cause explosions due to electric sparks or high temperatures.
• typical scenario：
  • Combustible gas pipelines in the petrochemical industry
  • Coal mine gas drainage system
  • Spray booth, paint thinner storage area
• alternativeChoose explosion-proof metal rotor flowmeter, vortex flowmeter or mass flowmeter.

9、 Places with high hygiene requirements

• reasonThe internal structure of the glass rotor flowmeter is complex and difficult to clean and disinfect, which may result in residual media or bacterial growth, and does not comply with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) or HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) requirements.
• typical scenario：
  • Aseptic filling line in the pharmaceutical industry
  • The direct contact pipeline with food in the food industry
  • Cell culture system for biopharmaceuticals
• alternativeChoose a sanitary electromagnetic flowmeter, mass flowmeter, or metal rotor flowmeter (compliant with 3A standards).