VFF

The Base Model, Standard meters at better prices

Litre Meter introduce the ”Base Model” series of VFF meters. The most popular VFF meters are now available in standard configurations at keener prices and shorter delivery times. These are the LF15, MF30, VFF4 and VFF8 sizes. 1/2″NPT threaded female connections, 316L stainless steel bodies and elastomer seals complete the specification. The internals are PVD coated stainless steel and using the standard calibration guarantees the best lead-time and price. All chambers are in-stock with 15cP calibration.

LF VFF Flowmeter
LF VFF Flowmeter with Direct Mounted FlowPod

LF15 0.75 to 90 l/hr, 15cP
MF30 1.20 to 180 l/hr, 15cP
VFF4 2.40 to 400 l/hr, 15cP
VFF8 4.80 to 800 l/hr, 15cP

As with all VFF meters the drawings are available at time of quote from a link. These 4 meter types are all:

  • 316L Rotary Piston VFF Flowmeter, PBC type. Pressure rating 530 bar.
  • Nitronic 60 Rotor and Chamber with ultra low friction PVD coating
  • Viton O’ring Seals
  • 1/2 inch female NPT
  • Direct mounted FlowPod display

Complete with:

  • Exd certification
  • Material Test Certificates
  • Hydrostatic Certificate and
  • Calibration Certificates

The seals can be swapped to Nitrile, EPDM or PTFE Encapsulated Viton O-ring Seals at no extra cost. Other materials such as Chemraz and Kalrez cost extra but are available on the same swift lead time.

Calibration can be customised according to the customer’s requirement at extra cost but still on the same 2 week lead time.

LF Drawings

MF30 Drawings

VFF4 and VFF8 Drawings

Certification etc

Contact us now.

Rotary Piston versus Turbine Flow Meters – Application strengths

We’re often asked why we recommend our VFF Rotary Piston device for chemical injection and, in particular, against the traditional turbine flowmeter.  Here are 8 specific advantages of the VFF over turbine flowmeters:

  1. Low Flow The lowest flow measurable by a VFF rotary piston positive displacement flowmeter is two orders lower, especially if the viscosity is greater than water. For example, the LF03 at just 10cP will measure down to 0.025 l/hr – that’s a teaspoon every 12 minutes. A small turbine, even at 1cP, it’s optimum viscosity, peters out at 0.03 l/min – over 70 times higher.
  2. Pulsing Flow Customers tend to use pulsing pumps for chemical injection and even with pulsation dampers turbine meter blades will tend to over spin and cause the flow meters to read high if you are measuring total flow. Pulsation dampers are set at a pressure higher than the line pressure and are only guaranteed to reduce the pulsation to within ±10% at best of line pressure. If the line pressure changes at all during operation, then pulsation dampers are useless as they can only be set for one pressure. In our experience PD meters are ideal as they track the pulse and will read accurately for total flow even if no dampers are fitted.
  3. Display stabilisation The second problem with pulsing flow on a turbine meter is that the flow rate indication or 4-20mA output will range up and down at a frequency slightly out of synchronisation with the actual flow. To stabilise this reading rolling average electronics are often used. However, this can have two negative effects: firstly, the rolling average function, which is software based, will increase the response time on a control loop, the effect being that any changes in flow will take longer to be corrected. Secondly, you can easily get the control loop constantly ranging up and down chasing the flow meter reading but never quite catch up. These could be expensive for the client with wasted chemical. PD meters do not require the rolling average function as their reading while moving with the pulsing flow will be accurate.
  4. Viscosity effects Turbine meters are inferential devices: even small changes in viscosity due to ambient air temperature changes will be sufficient to affect the accuracy. In addition, if the viscosity is above 1 cSt then the lower end of the flow range will be less accurate and some of the measurement range will be lost. With chemical injection applications offshore it is inevitable that through the year there will be a wide range of ambient air temperatures and viscosity changes are very likely. PD meters are not affected by viscosity changes; in fact, if the viscosity increases their accuracy gets even better as the slippage past the gears or piston reduces. In our experience the only application where a turbine meter may be used for chemical injection is Methanol as it has a very low viscosity of 0.6cSt at 25°C and much higher injection rates. Even so, VFF meters are often selected for Methanol.
  5. Maintenance If something fails in service in a turbine meter the whole unit must be removed from the line. With a PD meter the meter body can be left in the line and the top cover removed to replace the internals.
  6. No straight lengths Turbine meters typically require a minimum of 10 diameters upstream and 5 diameters downstream of the flow meter, increasing installation space requirements.  In most configurations of piping prior to the meter much more is needed. Positive displacement flow meters do not require straight lengths.
  7. Non-standard connections There is a design issue if the turbine assembly cannot slide through the connector inside diameter. If it can’t physically pass through then there has to be at least one if not usually two adaptors. For example, Autoclave Engineers fittings can have 5mm id tubes. It is not possible for most turbine assemblies to be made this small.
  8. Range ability Most turbine flowmeters have flow ranges limited by bearing friction, hydrodynamic influences like viscosity and sensor drag. A ratio of maximum to minimum flow is typically 10:1, maybe higher of the viscosity is low. In the LF03 example given in point 1, the turndown ratio is 720:1. Furthermore, in the LF series the rotors and chambers are interchangeable. The LF15 and LF05 will drop into the body of an LF body previously holding an LF03 chamber. If the flow rate is set to decrease over the years of installation, then a new chamber can extend the life of the unit. Any future iterations of the VFF will use the same size ensuring the LF02 or LF01 will extend the range even further down.

If there are any doubts then please consult the specialists.

Six Degrees of customisation

Litre Meter supply a range of flow meters for Oil & Gas applications. They specialise in customising a range of flowmeters to meet specific customer requirements. A good example of this is flow meters for subsea use i.e. with the ability to work subsea and transmit a flow signal signal to the surface. The image (from 2011) shows another which uses many of the custom attributes of the VFF series of rotary piston positive displacement meter.

A 2011 VFF showing 5 degrees of customisation

There are six degrees of customisation:

  • Connections – in this meter Grayloc hubs were utilised
  • Materials – normally 316 but Duplex S32760 was specified
  • Flow Range – This series included 139 meters all with PVD coating, removable PBCs and special calibration ranges.
  • High Pressure – most were 1035 bar/15,000 psi/15ksi
  • Communication – these had HART 5. The current FlowPod versions offer HART 7
  • Subsea – The only missing degree…
A 2018 VFF Flowmeter showing the compactness of the FlowPod display. Same 5 degrees of customisation: High pressure, special connections, communication, low flow, flow range

PBC

The Pressure Balanced Chamber (PBC) is used to isolate the measuring element from the pressure vessel purpose of the VFF. This allowed optimised materials for the rotor and chamber – to give better flow range, for example, and simultaneously enabled the use of more exotic materials for the pressure vessel. Many more units have been constructed in duplex and super duplex which would have proved almost impossible to use for measurement surfaces (due to the tolerances of manufacture).

PVD

When Litre Meter separated the meter into two functions of measurement and pressure containment the use of coatings could be exploited. After careful selection and testing all of the VFF range are now supplied with PVD coating. This remarkable addition enables both higher and lower flow rates. For example, and it is the best example, the HF66 size was rated to 66 l/min maximum. Typically, without coating, the stainless steel rotor could measure down to 5 l/min on water. With the PVD coating the coefficient of friction is reduced and the minimum reduces to 12 l/hr, yes 12 litres per hour, and the added hardness enables over-range up to 130 l/min – subject to factory approval.

What Flowmeter calibration techniques do Litre Meter use?

Essentially, there are three separate calibration methods that Litre Meter have in-house to calibrate a range of flowmeters.  As the fluids can vary from water to thick oil and the flows range from a few millilitres per hour to 1,000 litres per minute, there are not only three calibration methods but 10 rigs in total, all traceable to National Standards.

The most common calibration method for Litre Meter is gravimetric with flying start and stop.  This method, as the names suggests, records the weight to provide a mass flow. Frequently, this is converted to a volume flow after determination of density.  After that, the use of master meters is popular for higher flows, above a few litres per minute. Finally, where the flow rates are outrageously low – i.e. just millilitres per hour – Litre Meter has a volumetric pistonless design – the FlowLabPro.

Gravimetric Flying Start-Stop

Most Litre Meter flowmeters are calibrated using a gravimetric method.  A flow rate is established through the flowmeter with the output flow returning to the main reservoir.  At the commencement of test, the output flow is diverted into a weigh tank.  When sufficient volume of fluid has been collected in respect of that particular flow rate, the output flow is diverted to the main reservoir once more.  The time for the volume of fluid to be collected is recorded, together with the number of pulses produced by the transmitter.

The density of the fluid is determined at time of calibration.  Volume divided by time equals flow rate.  The number of pulses divided by volume equals the pulses per litre Meter Factor.  The calibration certificate is prepared from a table of these values.  If on-site calibration is required and a known volume of fluid flow can be established, then the same calculations apply to reproduce the calibration certificate.

Significant effort should be spent ensuring that the start and stop timing accurately reflect when flow is being weighed and that the speed of changeover is maximised. With modern, accurate weigh scales and timing the stop/start transitions are where precision improvements are made. Litre Meter have developed a simple program that enables quick monitoring of diverter performance and aids the operator in adjusting the timing.

When pulse rates are very low, such as in the VFF and some other positive displacement flowmeters, the flow rig electronics are altered such that a calibration run commences on a pulse and finish on a pulse. For example, a calibration run is dialled in requiring 60 pulses.  The operator starts the test with continuous flow running through the MUT. When the next pulse is sensed the diverter operates and the scales begin weighing the fluid. After 60 pulses pass the diverter switches back and measurements are taken. There will be 60 pulses, a specific weight and a specific time enabling the calculation of flow rate and pulses per mass unit. With an sg reading from a suitably accurate densitometer then the rate can be calculated in volumetric terms and the pulses used to calculate pulses per litre.  There is no uncertainty in the number of pulses i.e. whether the next pulse was about to arrive or had just been. This is usually an uncertainty of up to two pulses.  There is an unknown time at Start of diversion but this is somewhat equalled out at the Stop side. Good calibration of the start/stop sequence can almost eliminate this unknown.

Master Meter

As the flow rate increases the compactness of the Gravimetric method with its diverter starts to die away and the rigs become very large. At Litre Meter we have a good crossover between the upper end of the gravimetric to the lower end of the master meter which provides some flexibility and confidence.  For water the gravimetric rigs are suitable for flows up to 30 l/min and the master meters commence at 1 l/min. For oils it’s 10 and 0.1 respectively. Without the knife-edge start of the gravimetric flying start (above) the master meter technique pivots (sorry for the pun) around dual chronometry.

The Meter Under Test produces a pulse train simultaneously with the Master Meter but at a different frequency.  The computer program starts and stops the test period depending on the preset length of test and the number of pulses desired.  The preset length is then subtly adjusted so that a precise number of pulses is used. Further analysis of the MUT pulse rate counts the number of pulses, and more importantly, determines the fractional number of pulses at the start and end of test.  Finally, the test is repeated at least three times at each flow rate.  These are installed in a continuously running system, in a loop, thus enabling multiple tests in quick succession.  The pump or valve position is then altered to process all of the desired flow rate range in a suitable number of steps.

Piston-less piston prover

For investigation of very low flows our traditional gravimetric rigs were unable to control and/or develop low flows consistently. For the LF03 the low flows are actually lower than the leak flows through the valves or our then smallest system. A change of method was required.  Starting with a series of pumps a method was instigated using a rising column of fluid being monitored by an accurate height sensor.  With a variety of column diameters a wide range of flow rates can be generated and measured accurately.  Pulse interpolation is used in much the same way as for dual chronometry, above, except that the MUT and the height sensor are the two sources of pulses. All of the components including a choice of fluid reservoirs are together in one enclosure, temperature controlled, to maintain consistency.  Up to 4 rotors and chambers can be calibrated together over the required flow rate range enabling calibration to continue overnight, unsupervised.  Additional software programs can quickly determine minimum achievable flow which significantly speeds up parts selection for our LF and ULF calibration levels.

 

 

Why should I measure Corrosion Inhibitor (and how)? – our experts explain:

It is essential to measure Corrosion Inhibitor, accurately and continually.  With the correct system, pipeline life can be extended for many years.

Corrosion Inhibitor, sometime abbreviated to CI, is manufactured by various chemical companies to inhibit (to stop or slow) the rate of corrosion inside a pipeline as it carries a flowing product. In the normal Litre Meter context, a company that is heavily involved in Oil & Gas flow measurement, the flowing product is crude oil, straight out of the well.

Depending on the chemistry of the well, a specific inhibitor will be recommended or will be formulated to treat the oil in an optimum manner. As each well is different a large variety of solutions can now be chosen.  For flow measurement, the two main variables are flow rate and viscosity. Usually the fluids are compatible with stainless steel but sometimes higher specification steels or more exotic materials like titanium are required.

If not enough CI is present in the oil then the pipe walls will be corroded and will eventually lose their integrity and then fail. If too much is injected then costs can quickly mount up. Not only is the raw inhibitor expensive but also the tanks will need replenishing more often. Worse still, the refineries will charge dollars per barrel to remove the excess before the crude oil can be processed.

Corrosion Inhibitors prevent corroded pipes

Relying on pump speed, combined with calculation of volume per stroke, is insufficient for full flow assurance. The pump motor can be going but that’s no guarantee the fluid is flowing or that the amount is correct. Full flow measurement is necessary. Optimal meter selection, by experts, ensures good measurement over the full range of flows that the process can experience. It’s not unusual for the flow rate to vary by a factor of a 100 during the life of a well so a wide ranging flowmeter system is a good choice.

The VFF positive displacement flowmeter has been developed over the years to meet all the requirements of chemical injection and more.  They all offer:

  • Excellent materials, for long life, compact and lowest weight.
  • Repeatability – what happens now is the same as a year ahead
  • State of the Art instrumentation – mostly in SS with 4-20 and HART and linearisation.
  • Flexibility, changeable internals for gross range changes, high pressure ratings as standard, etc

Corrosion Inhibitor measurement = VFF

Extending the flowmeters calibrated range – an expert view

It’s not an uncommon request.  When the enquiry comes in the client thinks the required range will be 1 to 10 but, once installed, it’s clear that he should have stated 2 to 20.  Then, the question is: what do we do?

First: it’s unlikely that the range can be extended beyond the meter maximum rated flow rate.  Some flowmeter principles can cope with excessive flow rates, probably at the expense of pressure drop, but most can’t.

Second: Consider the magnitude of change and the expectation of accuracy. If it’s a change from 1 to 10 to 1 to 11 with a 5% accuracy requirement when the maximum rate is 12 then that’s an easy one – check with the factory on how the range can be changed within the instrumentation but the range extension will be OK. On the other hand, if it’s a ±0.2% meter then it’s unlikely that any range extension will be within that value without a return to the factory for recalibration.

Here’s an example:

The client had purchased an LF03 VFF positive displacement meter for the measurement and control of corrosion inhibitor.  The viscosity was 55cP and, although the meter is capable of 18 litres per hour, had specified an operational range of 0.2 to 2.3 l/h which we calibrated over.

A year later we had a request for a range change – could they up the calibration range to 5.6 l/hr? Of course, yes. Could we provide a statement to this?  See below:

VFF Flowmeter Extended Range Accuracy – 50cP viscosity

The original calibration for meter VFF5112 was up to 2.3 l/hr on 55cP. Litre Meter have analysed the last 17 LF03s calibrated at or around 50cP and can confirm that re-ranging to 5.6 l/hr will have only a minor effect to system accuracy.

VFF Analysis:

It can be seen from the aggregated performance curves above that extending the flow rate above 2.3 l/hr up to 7 l/hr produces little change in the meter linearity. We would suggest that, in the absence of any higher flow rate information above 2.3 litre per hour, that the meter is unlikely to be outside of ±2% of the 2.3 l/hr pulses per litre value up to 7 litres per hour. Increased confidence and accuracy can be obtained by recalibration.

Linearisation:

Litre Meter produce a document LM0688 “Technical Description – Linearisation” that explains the linearization process and the flow rate versus pulses per litre table. Also here.

Low Flow Calibration – limits

The accuracy of the flowmeter can be determined by the change in the pulses per litre value over a flow rate range selected from the calibration certificate.  (This source document is also available for download from litremeter.com.)

  • Repeatability is better than ±0.1% of reading over the top 99% of range.
  • Accuracy with linearisation is better than ±0.5% of reading.

The minimum flow rate achievable depends on many variables but can be reduced to two factors:

  • the viscosity of the fluid. The higher the viscosity, the lower the low flow rate ability.
  • the perfection of the meter dimensions and components.
  1. Standard (STD) calibration rates can be achieved 99 times out of a 100. No special selection required
  2. Low Flow (LF) calibration requires matched parts and more calibration time
  3. Ultra Low Flow (ULF) calibration requires the best parts and the most patience by our calibration engineers. It is highly unlikely we can provide a batch of ULF meters due to their scarcity.

In particular, for LF03, LF05 and LF15, we can compare the low flow limits both on a linear scale and, secondly, on a logarithmic scale, as well as in a traditional table. The respective maxima are 18, 30 and 90 litres per hour:

Describes the low flow performance of the LF15
VFF flowmeter LF15 – flow range on various viscosities STD vs. LF vs. ULF
Describes the low flow performance of the LF05
VFF flowmeter LF05 – flow range on various viscosities STD vs. LF vs. ULF
Describes the low flow performance of the LF03
VFF flowmeter LF03 – flow range on various viscosities STD vs. LF vs. ULF

These tables were all updated in August 2019; rounding of some of the flow rate values understated the flowmeters’ abilities.

Additionally, work is underway to improve availability of the LF and ULF calibration bands.  Each rotor and chamber is now pre-calibrated on a nominal viscosity when first received. In actual fact, they are not calibrated as such but the low flow is determined using a custom flow programme on our automatic calibration lab.  This low flow value then enables the chamber and rotor to be categorised into one of the three bands. When an order is received with flow range and viscosity parameters the best chamber and rotor can then be selected with a high confidence level.

Reverse flow measurement – an expert view

Most flowmeters are setup for forward flow measurement. That is, they have a preferred direction for operation and that is adopted by the manufacturer/designer and advised to the customer.

Some flowmeters are symmetrical in the forward and reverse direction and will work in the reverse direction, too. Some are symmetrical and may not function or function well, due to meter design or principle, in reverse.

Finally, some meters may detect that the flow is in reverse and, better still, measure in either direction to the same accuracy.

We use the term flowmeter generically. When discussing flow direction and measurement we should consider the instrumentation as well as the flow sensor itself.

Distinctions:

Type A – not designed for Reverse flow, may cause damage:
Type B – can accept reverse flow, no detection
Type C – can accept reverse flow, detects direction of flow
Type D – Can accept reverse flow, measures accurately but doesn’t output direction
Type E – Accepts reverse flow and provides flow velocity and direction

B, C, D, E may need special instrumentation to extract the desired information.  The type designation just helps us understand the designs – it isn’t used outside of this article.

Flowmeter element Type
Orifice plate B, C, D or E
Wedge B, C, D or E
Venturi tube B, C, D or E
Flow Nozzle B or C
Pitot tube B
Elbow meter B, C, D or E
Target meter B or C
VA A or E (E with a special meter)
Positive Displacement A, B, C, D or E depends on design and sensing
Turbine A, B, C, D or E depends on design and sensing
Pelton A, B, C, D or E depends on design and sensing
Vortex A or B
Electromagnetic B, C, D or E – most units would be E
Ultrasonic(Doppler) B, C, D or E – most units would be E
Ultrasonic(Time-of-travel) B, C, D or E – most units would be E
Mass Coriolis B, C, D or E – most units would be E
Thermal Mass Insertion B
Thermal Mass Capillary B
Weir A
Flume B

 

Litre Meter flowmeters

Pelton Wheel

The LM range have a jet (apart from the LM220 and LM330). With a jet concentrating the flow onto the rotor, a reverse flow is very inefficient and the rate of rotation is much reduced for the same flow. The 220 and 330 are broadly symmetrical in some models and have different pipe layouts in most versions. These have never been fitted with technology to provide direction.

The same can be said of the larger, orifice plate based, MM meter. The inlet and outlet holes to the pelton wheel chamber are much different in size, so function poorly in reverse. A sole MM was manufactured with two pelton wheels and two sensors facing in different directions. By comparing the magnitude of the signals it was simple to tell which direction was active.

VFF

All VFF (rotary piston positive displacement) meters are perfectly symmetrical in design with rotors able to rotate clockwise or anticlockwise. There are small differences in machining so there are small differences in meter performance forward and reverse. There is a prescribed forward direction (purely for consistency) but the client can select the other direction as forward.

With a standard sensor the output is the same whether the flow is forward or reverse – just a series of pulses. When two sensors are fitted then the direction and magnitude of flow can be determined if the right instrumentation is used.

There are two suitable instruments used by Litre Meter and at least one system used by clients with varying degrees of sophistication. Sometimes two sensors are fitted for redundancy purposes. The instrument monitors one sensor. After a certain time period, if there isn’t a pulse attention is switched to the other sensor. The period is set to be a few seconds longer than the frequency for lowest flow achievable or the clients lowest expected flow.

Litre Meter use two sensor setups both based on reed switch sensing of the magnet in the VFF rotor. Litre Meter are developing a 3-D magnetometer based field sensor that can determine the position of the rotor in the chamber for finer pulse output.

If reed A switches before reed B then direction is forward. If B before A then direction is reverse.

The two reed switch setups are similar in concept but packaged differently. The original reed switch is situated in a sensor hole. When two reeds are used there are two parallel holes generally situated along the radius of gyration of the magnet. They are spaced to produce a clear lead or lag depending on rotor direction. The Fluidwell F115 is designed to interpret the lead/lag to produce a display with directionality.

With the introduction in 2015 of the CIFM versions of the VFF and the Litre Meter FlowPod the sensor was repackaged, with two reeds as standard, in an M8 stainless sensor body. Only one sensor hole is required as the reeds are side by side. The F115 and FlowPod can both interpret the CIFM sensor output.

F115

Fluidwell manufacture a wide range of instrumentation which Litre Meter have used since 2002. The F115 version is specifically designed for directionality. It does not have linearisation.

Description

The flow rate / totalizer model F115-P is a microprocessor driven instrument designed to show the flow rate, the total and the accumulated total. This model is able to detect the flow direction and to show a positive or negative flow rate, the totals for both directions and the cumulative totals.
This product has been designed with a focus on:

  1. ultra-low power consumption to allow long-life battery powered applications (type PB/PC),
  2. intrinsic safety for use in hazardous applications (type XI);
  3. several mounting possibilities with aluminum or GRP enclosures for harsh industrial surroundings;
  4. ability to process all types of flowmeter signals;
  5. transmitting possibilities with analog / pulse and communication outputs.
Flowmeter input

Two sensors with a phase difference of 90 or 270 degrees, can be connected to the F115-P.

Standard outputs
  1. Pulse output to transmit a pulse that represents a totalized quantity as programmed.
  2. Negative / positive pulse output indication – i.e. a flag.
  3. Linear 4-20mA analog output to represent the actual flow rate as programmed. The 4-20mA signal limits can be tuned.

FlowPod

Description

The FlowPod was designed from the outset with the CIFM sensor which is fitted with two closely positioned reed switches in one M8 stainless steel package. They are positioned in the flowmeter to provide a two separate pulses along the path of the spinning rotor. They are fairly close together such that there is a distinct time difference between reed A and B depending on direction.

In most installations the second reed is for redundancy purposes. The FlowPod monitors reed A. After a certain time period, if there isn’t a pulse, attention is switched to reed B. The period is set to be a few seconds longer than the frequency for lowest flow achievable or the lowest expected flow.

For directionality the FlowPod monitors reed A and B and interprets lead and lag to determine flow direction. Within the software forward direction can be set as ‘A before B’ or vice versa. Redundancy is still offered, although, of course, without direction.

Linearisation is standard on the FlowPod. The curve of flow rate versus frequency is similar in forward and reverse.

 

Measuring Sodium Hypochlorite in Hazardous Areas

Sodium Hypochlorite

Sodium hypochlorite is a green/yellow liquid with the characteristic smell of chlorine. It was first used as a bleaching agent and was then discovered to be effective in controlling wound infections. Subsequently, it is most commonly known as household bleach. The solution exhibits broad spectrum anti‐microbial activity and is widely used in healthcare facilities in a variety of settings. It is usually diluted in water depending on its intended use. Sign up for FlowSight, the Litre Meter newsletter.
In the chemical injection arena, it is common to inject sodium hypochlorite into sea water. Sea water can contain dissolved oxygen, bacteria and solids. These can affect an oil reservoirs life. Hypo is used as a bactericide whilst filters take care of the solids. Hypo is aggressive before it is diluted in the sea water and therefore requires some specialized devices in terms of wetted materials. Litre Meter have been manufacturing flowmeters since 1975.
We’ve always concentrated on the harder margins of metering typically at low flows and/or at high pressure. For this application note Litre Meter illustrate two solutions to this application based on <20 % solution. Download brochure.

Sodium Hypochlorite Flowmeters ‐ Applications and Rates ‐ VFF

The VFF has successfully metered fluids such as oils, hydraulic fluids, corrosion / wax / demulsifier / pour point dispenser /scale / hydrate inhibitors, biocides, oxygen scavengers, etc. for over 30 years. Meter bodies are produced in a variety of high grade materials which offer good chemical and environmental resistance. For sodium hypochlorite, Litre Meter recommend Titanium for the body and chamber with carbon graphite for the actual rotary piston. This ensures maximum compatibility, life and accurate response. The magnet is either encapsulated in titanium or PTFE.

VFF Flowmeter Sizes and Connections.

Applications for flow‐rates as low as 0.5 litres per hour have been supplied. Normal minimum flow rates depend on operating viscosity. In this case, viscosity is assumed to be between 1 and 2.5cP. Using the smallest VFF with carbon graphite rotor (LF15) and calibrating on water, which has a lower viscosity than NaOCl, a range of 0.5 to 40 L/hr is achieved. The meters range in size from the smallest titanium body, LF15 – 40 L/hr, to the largest V270 ‐ 270 L/min max. Higher flow‐rate meters are available to special order. The table at the end of this article assists in the selection of the best technology.

Sodium Hypochlorite Flowmeters ‐ Applications and Rates ‐ Pelton Wheel

Litre Meter started manufacturing the Pelton Wheel turbine in 1975. These usually had some stainless steel components together with a plastic rotor, elastomer seals and sapphire bearings. All plastic versions soon followed, including all Polypropylene, all PFA, all PVC and all PVDF. The other wetted parts are still sapphire with a suitable elastomer such as FKM or FFKM for the single O ring seal. The normal specification for Sodium Hypochlorite compatible Pelton Wheel flow meters is now PVC for the main body and cap with PVC or titanium internals, sapphire bearings, an FKM O‐ring and PFA rotor.

Pelton Wheel Flowmeter for Sodium Hypochlorite

The Pelton Wheel is an economical device with low pressure ratings and needs to have relatively steady state non‐pulsing flows.
The table at the end of this article assists in the selection of the best technology.

Compatible Materials

Due to the nature of Sodium Hypochlorite only a select group of tested materials is recommended by Litre Meter. We tailor our meters using three key materials, developed over 30 years of measuring Sodium Hypochlorite:

PVC, Hastelloy and titanium
The PVC design can be used up to 15 bar pressure maximum. Hastelloy (UNS N10276) up to 1035 bar. For the ultimate select titanium (UNS R50400) designed for 1380 bar (20,000psi, 20 ksi)

These material make up the body and the cap of the meter. The seals between the meter body and cap are normally FKM. Other seal materials include FFKM and PTFE. All seals within the meter are fully compatible with Sodium Hypochlorite.

Flow ranges and references

All Litre Meter manufactured flowmeters are custom calibrated across the customer specified minimum to maximum flow conditions and working viscosity. The minimum flow rates achievable are dependent on fluid viscosity. With sodium hypochlorite, in most normal concentrations, water is used as the calibration medium as this proves to be the best for accurate calibration representation. The table below assists in selecting which technology is preferred.
Normal engineering materials like 304 and 316 stainless steel, aluminium, brass and steel are unsuitable due to the aggressive nature of the free chlorine in the Sodium Hypochlorite. Plastics such as PVC and PTFE are suitable together with Hastelloy C and purer grades of Titanium.

Comparison table:
Table showing selection criteria for Sodium Hypochlorite meters in two different flow technologies.

Why should I measure Scale Inhibitor (and how)?

Money, money, money – or, as we now call it, Flow Assurance, coupled with a low flow meter

Allowing scale to build up on the inside of the pipeline may seem fairly inconsequential. However, when the amount of scale is considered, (and referencing the image) it is immediately obvious that the expensive crude will slow down and pumping costs will soar. Sign up for FlowSight, the Litre Meter newsletter.
Scaling reduces the area of a pipe if scale inhibitor is not used
Scaling reduces the area of a pipe if scale inhibitor is not used – Stock image
Chemists will analyse the crude oil as it comes out of the well, sometimes years before production starts. From geotechnical surveys other technicians will determine the rate of oil output through the anticipated life of the field.  With this data the chemist will recommend what the concentration of the scale inhibitor should be.  The pressure of the well will determine at which pressure the inhibitor needs to be injected at. Day to day the temperature will vary according to the seasons, the weather and location of the measurement.
The analysis of the crude, unrefined oil will tell the chemist whether the pipe will start to scale up as a result of pumping the oil through a pipe to the ship or refinery.  Certain chemicals are then formulated to optimise and negate the scale.  There will be compromises between concentration of the fluid, application flow rates and storage availability.  If the concentration can be increased so that the tanks only need filling up once per month then that is preferred to once per fortnight. Inevitably this means that the flow rate is lower, and probably, the viscosity increases. Measurement range will also vary through the life of the field. It may start slow, then plateau a few years later and then tail off as the field winds down.  Additionally to this, the consistency of the unrefined oil will probably change from start to finish.  All of these variables can lead to a range of viscosities and a range of flow rates.
In summary, selection of the meter philosophy and specification is critical to successful measurement of scale inhibitor and future condition of the oil pipeline.

The VFF rotary piston flowmeter has been used for many years to measure scale inhibitor at a variety of flow rates, pressures and viscosities.

VFF flowmeter for chemical injection service, with FlowPod display

Flowmeters for Sodium Hypochlorite – Hazardous Area, too

Sodium hypochlorite

Sodium hypochlorite is a green/yellow liquid with the characteristic smell of chlorine. It was first used as a bleaching agent and was then discovered to be effective in controlling wound infections. Subsequently, it is most commonly known as household bleach. The solution exhibits broad spectrum anti‐microbial activity and is widely used in healthcare facilities in a variety of settings. It is usually diluted in water depending on its intended use.
In the chemical injection arena, it is common to inject sodium hypochlorite into sea water. Sea water can contain dissolved oxygen, bacteria and solids. These can affect an oil reservoirs life. Hypo is used as a bactericide whilst filters take care of the solids. Hypo is aggressive before it is diluted in the sea water and therefore requires some specialized devices in terms of wetted materials.
Litre Meter have been manufacturing flowmeters since 1975.
We’ve always concentrated on the harder margins of metering typically at low flows and/or at high pressure. For this application note Litre Meter illustrate two solutions to this application based on <20 % solution.

Sodium Hypochlorite Flowmeters ‐ Applications and Rates ‐ VFF

The VFF has successfully metered fluids such as oils, hydraulic fluids, corrosion / wax / demulsifier / pour point dispenser /scale / hydrate inhibitors, biocides, oxygen scavengers, etc. for over 30 years. Meter bodies are produced in a variety of high grade materials which offer good chemical and environmental resistance. For sodium hypochlorite, Litre Meter recommend Titanium for the body and chamber with carbon graphite for the actual rotary piston. This ensures maximum compatibility, life and accurate response. The magnet is either encapsulated in titanium or PTFE.
Applications for flow‐rates as low as 0.5 litres per hour have been supplied. Normal minimum flow rates depend on operating viscosity. In this case, viscosity is assumed to be between 1 and 2.5cP. Using the smallest VFF with carbon graphite rotor (LF15) and calibrating on water, which has a lower viscosity than NaOCl, a range of 0.5 to 40 L/hr is achieved.
The meters range in size from the smallest titanium body, LF15 – 40 L/hr, to the largest V270 ‐ 270 L/min max. Higher flow‐rate meters are available to special order. The table on the last page assists in the selection of the best technology.

Sodium Hypochlorite Flowmeters ‐ Applications and Rates ‐ Pelton Wheel

Pelton Wheel Flowmeter for Sodium Hypochlorite

Litre Meter started manufacturing the Pelton Wheel turbine in 1975. These usually had some stainless steel components together with a plastic rotor, elastomer seals and sapphire bearings. All plastic versions soon followed, including all Polypropylene, all PFA, all PVC and all PVDF. The other wetted parts are still sapphire with a suitable elastomer such as FKM or FFKM for the single O ring seal.
The normal specification for Sodium Hypochlorite compatible Pelton Wheel flow meters is now PVC for the main body and cap with PVC or titanium internals, sapphire bearings, an FKM O‐ring and PFA rotor.
The Pelton Wheel is an economical device with low pressure ratings and needs to have relatively steady state non‐pulsing flows.
The table on the last page assists in the selection of the best technology.

Compatible Materials

Due to the nature of Sodium Hypochlorite only a select group of tested materials is recommended by Litre Meter. We tailor our meters using three key materials, developed over 30 years of measuring Sodium Hypochlorite:

These material make up the body and the cap of the meter. The seals between the meter body and cap are normally FKM. Other seal materials include FFKM and PTFE. All Seals within the meter are fully compatible with Sodium Hypochlorite.

Flow ranges and references

All Litre Meter manufactured flowmeters are custom calibrated across the customer specified minimum to maximum flow conditions and working viscosity. The minimum flow rates achievable are dependent on fluid viscosity. With sodium hypochlorite, in most normal concentrations, water is used as the calibration medium as this proves to be the best for accurate calibration representation. The table below assists in selecting which technology is preferred.
Normal engineering materials like 304 and 316 stainless steel, aluminium, brass and steel are unsuitable due to the aggressive nature of the free chlorine in the Sodium Hypochlorite. Plastics such as PVC and PTFE are suitable together with Hastelloy C and purer grades of Titanium.

Comparison Table:

Table showing selection criteria for Sodium Hypochlorite meters in two different flow technologies.

Litre Meter can provide optimum solutions for a wide range of flow rates of Sodium Hypochlorite. Using a variety of materials, a flowmeter can be constructed that handles any specific concentration of NaOCl and provide a display and/or output for measurement and control. For references etc please download our brochure.

What’s the best chemical injection flow meter? An expert explains:

Litre Meter VFF rotary piston positive displacement flowmeters have proven to be the foremost solution for chemical injection flow metering applications. They are able to handle the wide range of flows at pressures from a few bar up to 10,000 and 20,000 psi (690, 1,380 bar) and higher. The FlowPod instrument has been developed after feedback from many clients in the chemical injection arena, focussing on ease-of-use, compactness and functionality. Sign up for FlowSight, the Litre Meter newsletter.

In many chemical injection applications the VFF is the sole answer because of it’s unique capabilities at the ‘margins of measurement’. This might include super low flow rates and low viscosity or awkward chemical compatibility and material requirements. The standard range of VFF meters, available from 2015, was also designed in response to user feedback. It provides a number of bespoke chemical injection features that are no longer specials.  Since then, 80% of meters supplied have been from stock designs as opposed to 20% before.  This also means that drawings are immediately available including STEP files, lifting diagrams and parts lists.

Since 2013, as standard, all VFF meters have a URL given on the name plate and a QR code that links to a website with specific calibration certificates, manuals, hydrostatic test certificates and material certificates.

  • VFF positive displacement meters can measure accurately at any pressure and with a pulsing pump.  The measurement accuracy is unaffected by working pressure or change due to the unique construction.
  • VFF positive displacement meters can measure a range of chemicals at extreme low flows such as less than 100 ml per hour and at low or high viscosity.  Particle size limits are a generous 40 or 100 microns.
  • VFF positive displacement meters can measure a variety of chemicals requiring alternatives to 316L.  Titanium rotors are standard with titanium, super duplex and Hastelloy options for body and cap.
  • VFF positive displacement meters can be constructed using exotic materials and/or exotic material specifications. Litre Meter have developed their own material specification for 316L, duplex and super duplex. We have built meters from highly specified materials with extensive testing regimes to tight delivery times.

Call us now with your chemical injection metering requirements for probably the best flowmeter.  (it’s why LITRE METER RECEIVES A QUEEN’S AWARD FOR ENTERPRISE)

VFF Flowmeter Sizes and Connections.

VFF FilterPro filter protects VFF meters from contamination

Litre Meter introduces the VFF FilterPro Filter that maximizes the efficiency of its flow meters by eliminating contaminants that cause reduced flow, damage to internal construction as well as a blockage.  As 96% of flow meter failures are associated with contamination issues, the FilterPro protects flow measurement instrumentation, assuring optimal flow in liquid injection, batch processing, and lubrication systems. Sign up for FlowSight, the Litre Meter newsletter.

VFF FilterPro - a filter to match your VFF Flowmeter
VFF FilterPro – a filter to match your VFF Flowmeter

Featuring a four-layer wire woven mesh filtration design, the FilterPro uses a proven surface filtration principle that filters elements from 10 to 100 microns (depending upon unit option) by trapping particulates between its layers.  Available in three key filter sizes, the FilterPro pairs perfectly with the company’s positive displacement, rotary piston, and turbine flow meters with connection sizes from ¼” up to 9/16” in multiple thread types.   Offered in 316 stainless steel or exotic materials, the FilterPro is available in the same materials as VFF flow measurement instrumentation to avoid compatibility and performance variances.

Units are suitable for use in low and high viscosity liquids at pressures up to 20,000 psi (1,380 bar) and can withstand a pressure drop of 870 psi (60 bar) with a burst pressure drop of 2,175 psi (150 bar).  Simple to install, the FilterPro is easily cleaned by unscrewing 8 bolts and replacing the filter insert.  The company is currently developing larger filters to accommodate larger meters while incorporating a filter maintenance indicator and greater resistance to burst pressure. Sign up for FlowSight, the Litre Meter newsletter.

VFF FilterPro pressure drops for viscosity and flow rate values - 30 micron
VFF FilterPro pressure drops for viscosity and flow rate values – 30 micron
Exploded view of VFF FilterPro with annotation
Exploded view of VFF FilterPro showing simplicity of design and disassembly
VFF FilterPro with filter cartridges
VFF FilterPro with filter cartridges, available in 10, 30 and 100 micron sizes
VFF FilterPro Dimensions - threaded body
VFF FilterPro Dimensions – threaded body – NPT or Autoclave Medium Pressure. Other connections on request.
VFF FilterPro typical materials and pressure ratings
VFF FilterPro typical materials and pressure ratings

 

VFF FilterPro typical connections and pressure ratings
VFF FilterPro typical connections and pressure ratings

20k meters – brochure available

Litre Meter have been making meters for higher pressures for over 3 decades. Our first 1,380bar unit was shipped in 1997.  We’ve now produced a brochure to cover these ratings.

Download the 20k VFF datasheet
20,000 psi rated VFF flowmeters – brochure

Litre Meter have been manufacturing flowmeters since 1975. We’ve always concentrated on the harder margins of metering typically at low flows and/or at high pressure. The VFF range has many uses in the oil and gas industry and meets the high specifications required. Outside of oil and gas we have manufactured these to 2,500 bar. We have recently noticed a trend towards 20,000 psi ratings and this brochure is in response to that.

Since 1997 Litre Meter has made numerous VFF meters for 1,380 bar in Oil and Gas applications and a reference list is provided at the end of this article.
The same design can be used on 22.5ksi (1,550 bar) with little modification.
The breakthrough in our design philosophy came in 2005 when we separated the measurement of the fluid from the pressure containment. We designed a measurement chamber that floats in the pressure vessel. This ensures accurate, pressure independent flow metering from 10 psi to 20,000 psi. The Pressure Balance Chamber is explained below.

Key Features

  • Rotary Piston/ Oscillating Piston type flow meter with a single moving part provides robust and low maintenance technology.
  • Suitable for low & high viscosity liquids at pressure ratings up to 4,000 bar (60,000 psi). 20,000 psi designs as standard.
  • Available materials of construction: 316L (UNS S31603), Duplex F51(UNS S31803), Super Duplex F53(UNS S32750)/F55(UNS S32760), 6Mo F44(UNS S31254), Hastelloy (UNS N10276) & Titanium (UNS R56400).
  • Connections: Autoclave, Grayloc Hubs, Galperti Hubs, Techlok hubs. More on request.
  • Communications: 4‐20mA HART, Pulse, MODBUS, Foundation Fieldbus, dependent on electronics and certification requirements.
  • Compact
  • Very Low Flow Measurement
  • Tolerant of particulate up to 100+ microns
  • Low pressure drop (<0.1 bar typical)

20K Flowmeters ‐ Applications and Rates

The VFF has successfully metered fluids such as oils, hydraulic fluids, corrosion / wax / asphaltene / demulsifier / pour point depressant (PPDs) /scale / hydrate inhibitors, biocides, oxygen scavengers, etc. for over 30 years. Meter bodies are produced in a variety of high grade materials which offer good chemical and environmental resistance.
Applications for flow‐rates as low 0.00013 litres/min (0.19 litres/day) have been metered within the offshore oil industry. The VFF flow meter provides exceptional rangeability with potential turndowns of up to 3000:1, dependent on operating viscosity.
The meters range in size from the smallest standard stock size, LF03 ‐ 18 L/Hr max, to the largest V270 ‐ 270 L/min max. Higher flow‐rate meters are available to special order.
An extensive range of meter designs and materials offers pressure ratings to 20,000 psi (1,380 bar). Higher pressure rating designs are manufactured up to 4,000 bar (60,000 psi). 20,000 psi designs available, as standard, up to HF60 and special designs can measure higher flow rates.

20K Flowmeters ‐ Meter Sizes

The VFF meter is not just one size, one specification. It’s a comprehensive range of carefully engineered devices to meet today’s standards in the most demanding oil & gas arenas. It’s truly a Versatile Fluids Flowmeter.

In the illustration below the smallest meter is typically housing an LF05 or LF15 rotor and chamber with FlowPod instrument and Autoclave Engineers MP connections.

The middle unit is a medium size meter, say, VFF4 with hub connections and FlowPod display.

The right‐hand meter also has hubbed connection sizes, FlowPod display but is larger to accommodates the HF60 rotor and chamber.

VFF Flowmeter Sizes and Connections.
VFF Flowmeter Sizes and Connections.

Pressure Balance Chamber

What Is a Pressure Balance Chamber?
Extensive testing by Litre Meter in 2005 proved that leaks occur over the top of the rotor at higher pressures. This is due to minute distortions of the cap. For example, at 700 bar the cap moves by just 0.02mm in the centre. Increasing the bulk of the cap still produces this movement. The effect on meter performance was the creation of a leak path for fluid that avoided the positive displacement of the rotor. This was equivalent to about a 3% inaccuracy at 700 bar. As a result, of this Litre Meter designed a pressure balance chamber for its VFF flowmeters so it could operate at extreme pressure and at low flow rates. The pressure balance chamber acts as a barrier, protecting the internal measurement components of the instrument from the high pressure conditions, preventing them from expanding and contracting under the immense pressure. NO DISTORTION MEANS ACCURATE MEASUREMENT AT ANY PRESSURE. All VFFs over 414 bar are fitted with this technology. It is identified by the letters PBC in the calibration certificate.
Key Benefits:

  • No distortion of the chamber at higher pressures.
  • Enables selection of optimal materials for the chamber to match the rotor i.e. PVD coated stainless steel or titanium.
  • Enables selection of optimal materials for the pressure vessel.
  • Enables construction of a duplex bodied flowmeter.
  • Swappable PBC for simplified sparing.

Flow ranges and references

All VFF flowmeters are custom calibrated across the customer specified min – max flow conditions and working viscosity. The minimum flow rates achievable are dependent on fluid viscosity. To see the achievable calibration ranges for each meter size please consult the table below. We can offer meters that range from 0.005 L/hr to 3,600 L/hr at 20K pressures to best suit your applications and with exceptional turndowns.

20K flow ranges

Areas of key significance:

  • Extended experience in measuring 20,000 psi in Oil & Gas applications.
  • World leaders in low flow and high pressure measurement.
  • High or low viscosity fluids flow measurement.
  • The Chemical Injection Specialists.
20,000 psi reference list
20,000 psi reference list VFF meters

Future developments

Litre Meter have already provided meters for 2,500bar. Offshore models at 22.5k & 25k are designed and 30k, 40k and 50k will be produced.
Litre Meter continues to innovate in the field of flow measurement. Recent successes include the LF05 and LF03 size meters, a new sensor, the FlowPod instrument and the FlowLabPro calibrator series. In the near term, expect to see lower flow capabilities, more calibrators and a low flow meter for any liquid type.

Offshore Corrosion Inhibitor Measurement at 20,000psi

APPLICATION: Various chemicals are injected into a deep water well to prevent corrosion, paraffins, hydrates, and scale. The flow rates for the injection are generally very low and need to be metered precisely to prevent under or over-dosing a well.

PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: • VFF series LF03, LF05, and LF15 • HM turbines HM-007 and HM-009/TC-AC/S-EX

CHALLENGE: As oil exploration goes into deeper and deeper water and deeper reservoirs, new challenges arise that put current technology to the test. The newest development is reservoirs that are reaching pressures of up to 20,000 psi. The chemicals need to be injected at a pressure that will overcome the force of the oil flowing up the umbilical.

SOLUTION: By utilizing different technologies available through the TASI Flow portfolio, we were able to offer a solution for this unique chemical injection challenge.
Positive displacement meters from Litre Meter were used for their ability to measure ultra-low flows and their flexible materials of construction that allows for high tensile strength steels exceeding the 20,000 psi pressure requirement. For the higher flow methanol and LDHI applications, the high pressure HM turbine line from AW was used for their ability to measure very non-lubricating fluids while also achieving the desired pressures.
The hazardous area location of these meters also require that all electrical components be hazardous area certified. Because of the close cooperation in development between AW and Litre Meter, as well as all other TASI Flow brands, we were able to offer a single type of user interface for all the meters. Using Litre Meter’s FlowPod transmitter in conjunction with the AW HUB-40EX pickup added a uniformity to the installation of all the meters on the chemical skid.

Corrosion Inhibitor measured at 20,000 psi 1380bar
Corrosion Inhibitor measured at 20,000 psi 1380bar

RESULTS: This is simply one of the first projects heading to locations with reservoirs up to 20,000 psi. In the near future equipment manufacturers in this segment of the market are going to need to produce technology that can keep up with industry needs. TASI Flow’s continuing innovations and ability to customize will allow them to keep pace with the constant change in the O&G production environment. Sign up for FlowSight, the Litre Meter newsletter.

Litre Meter VFF Range

LF03 chamber and rotor

We recently re-designed our popular VFF (Versatile Fluid Flowmeter) range of positive displacement flowmeters. The innovations in VFF technology make it ideal for bespoke flow measurement.

Innovations include a new compact size and design with reduced weight using high strength material specifications for high pressure applications. The new range of meters is suitable for low and high viscosity liquids at pressure ratings from 414 bar right up to 4,000 bar (60,000 psi). The range covers the measurement of fluids from 0.3 centistokes (cSt) to 100,000 cSt and flow rates of 0.0008 l/hr to 16,200 l/hr.

We have over 40 years’ experience in successfully designing and manufacturing bespoke flowmeters for extreme environments for the most demanding industries and applications.

The VFF series has been distilled into one series to meet the specific requirements of chemical injection flowmetering. The new 2015 VFF range uses the same ultra-reliable rotary/oscillating piston technology that Litre Meter has developed and refined over the past 30 years. With one moving part the flow meter is a robust and low maintenance component within a chemical injection system.

The VFF range has a wide of standard options so we can quickly respond to fulfill most chemical injection enquiries. A full drawing package is available detailing every option in either PDF or STEP formats.

Specifying the right meter for a system is now even easier to specify with a new VFF meter software, a step-by-step builder that takes the user through all the meter options available. When the meter has been selected the user can search the Litre Meter database of over 400 general arrangements and parts listing drawings. For more details the user can browse 3D STEP files for the correct meter to download and insert into the skid assembly.

Meters are constructed from 316L stainless steel, Duplex Super Duplex, titanium and 6Mo. Other materials are available on request. Standard connections include NPT, Autoclave, ANSI flanges, Grayloc hubs, Galperti hubs and Techlok hubs. Two wire Exia and 2/4 wire Exd versions are available and 4-20mA, HART7 communications is standard with new pickup sensor capabilities.

Other innovations in the 2015 VFF range include a new rotatable and positionable Exd approved display union, new sensing options with increased reliability, reverse flow detection and increased resolution.

We are excited about the new range. The new compact and lightweight design has been developed specifically for integration within chemical injection skids. Its footprint is further reduced because positive displacement flowmeters don’t require straight lengths of pipe in the system before or after the meter.

We have also responded to industry demands with regard to lifting requirements for offshore by adding lifting eyes manufactured from certified forged material to every meter that weighs 16 kg or more.

LITRE METER REVAMPS VFF RANGE

IMG_9572 LF03 white bgWe recently re-designed our popular VFF (Viscous Fluid Flowmeter) range of positive displacement flowmeters. The innovations in VFF technology make it ideal for bespoke flow measurement.

Innovations include a new compact size and design with reduced weight using high strength material specifications for high pressure applications. The new range of meters is suitable for low and high viscosity liquids at pressure ratings from 414 bar right up to 4,000 bar (60,000 psi). The range covers the measurement of fluids from 0.3 centistokes (cSt) to 100,000 cSt and flow rates of 0.0008 l/hr to 16,200 l/hr.

We have 40 years’ experience in successfully designing and manufacturing bespoke flowmeters for extreme environments for the most demanding industries and applications.

The VFF series has been distilled into one series to meet the specific requirements of chemical injection flowmetering. The new 2015 VFF range uses the same ultra-reliable rotary/oscillating piston technology that Litre Meter has developed and refined over the past 30 years. With one moving part the flow meter is a robust and low maintenance component within a chemical injection system.

The VFF range has a wide of standard options so we can quickly respond to fulfill most chemical injection enquiries. A full drawing package is available detailing every option in either PDF or STEP formats.

Specifying the right meter for a system is now even easier to specify with a new VFF meter software, a step-by-step builder that takes the user through all the meter options available. When the meter has been selected the user can search the Litre Meter database of over 400 general arrangements and parts listing drawings. For more details the user can browse 3D STEP files for the correct meter to download and insert into the skid assembly.

Meters are constructed from 316L stainless steel, Duplex Super Duplex, titanium and 6Mo. Other materials are available on request. Standard connections include NPT, Autoclave, ANSI flanges, Grayloc hubs, Galperti hubs and Techlok hubs. Two wire Exia and 2/4 wire Exd versions are available and 4-20mA, HART7 communications is standard with new pickup sensor capabilities.

Other innovations in the 2015 VFF range include a new rotatable and positionable Exd approved display union, new sensing options with increased reliability, reverse flow detection and increased resolution.

We are excited about the new range. The new compact and lightweight design has been developed specifically for integration within chemical injection skids. Its footprint is further reduced because positive displacement flowmeters don’t require straight lengths of pipe in the system before or after the meter.

We have also responded to industry demands with regard to lifting requirements for offshore by adding lifting eyes manufactured from certified forged material to every meter that weighs 16 kg or more.

New reed sensors now available

IMG_9574 sensor white bgWe have launched new sensor solutions to complement our revamped range of VFF flowmeters.

Our reed sensor package has been improved and now comes in a 316 stainless steel enclosure which is easy to install within the VFF range. The sensor comes complete with two reed switches that can be set for reverse flow detection or redundancy.

The sensor is tested to one billion pulses and environmentally tested in accordance with BS EN 13628-6: 2006. It is temperature rated to -20 to +80°C and it is available with the two or four wire Flowpod – the new explosion proof flow indication display unit for Litre Meter positive displacement flowmeters.

The non-wetted part has an M6 connector and the sensor is compact and designed for use at high pressures.

The new optional field sensor package comes in the same robust 316 stainless steel housing in order to make the sensors interchangeable with one another. The field sensor enables the output resolution of the VFF meter to be increased by a factor of twelve and it can still detect reverse flow.

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