Float flow meters are widely used and come in various types. According to their manufacturing materials, they can be divided into three types: glass tube float flow meters, plastic tube float flow meters, and metal tube float flow meters. Due to different manufacturing materials, the functional characteristics of float flowmeters vary greatly, and therefore their application fields are also different.
Glass tube float flowmeter
Require the tested medium to be transparent and not adhere to the surface. The main features are low cost, easy installation and maintenance, clear and visible float position, and direct observation of fluid flow rate. No power supply is required for measurement, it is a pure mechanical operation and is often used to measure liquids and gases. However, the glass tube float flowmeter is only suitable for on-site indication and cannot achieve remote signal transmission. Moreover, due to the strength limitations of the manufacturing material, it can only measure normal temperature, atmospheric pressure, and transparent media.
Plastic tube float flowmeter
Require the tested medium to be transparent and not adhere to the surface. The main features are high cost-effectiveness, easy installation and maintenance. As it is made of plastic material, it can be used to measure ultrapure water. However, due to the material properties of plastic, plastic tube float flow meters are only suitable for measuring liquids.
Metal tube float flow meters can be used not only for measuring turbines and clean media, but also for opaque and relatively clean media. Some float flow meters can even be used to measure or control the flow rate of unclean liquids. Due to the manufacturing material of metal tube float flowmeter being metal, with high strength and good corrosion resistance, it can be used to measure high temperature, high pressure and corrosive fluid media. However, due to the magnetic conductivity of metal and the working principle characteristics of float flowmeter, it is not suitable for measuring media containing magnetism. The metal tube float flowmeter is divided into two types according to its transmission signal method: remote transmission and local indication.
With the advancement of technology, the range, stability, and reliability of float flow meters have been greatly developed. Float flow meters themselves are suitable for low Reynolds number measurements and meet industrial requirements. Therefore, they are widely used in the process industry and play an extremely important role. The working environment of process industry production is harsh, and instruments often work in high temperature, high pressure, low temperature, flammable or toxic environments. Glass tube float flow meters and plastic tube float flow meters cannot adapt to such complex working environments, while metal tube float flow meters are more widely used due to their metal material, which can withstand high temperature, high pressure and corrosiveness.