New Thermo AutoFlow ultrasonic liquid flow meter

Thermo has introduced its new AutoFlow ultrasonic liquid flow measurement system, an inline multi-path transit time flow meter used primarily for the custody transfer of petroleum products

Thermo Electron Corporation, an industry leading producer of analytical and process instrumentation, today introduced its new AutoFlow ultrasonic liquid flow measurement system, an in-line multi-path transit time flow meter used primarily for the custody transfer of petroleum products.

The AutoFlow features Thermo patented transducer technology and a rugged, compact design to maximise instrument accuracy, operator safety, and cost-effective facility operations.

The AutoFlow unique combination of performance and safety features are ideal for both onshore and offshore installations.

The Thermo AutoFlow eclipses conventional mechanical flow meters by introducing ground-breaking ultrasonic technology and a patented, intrinsically safe transducer design, which eliminates the possibility of sparks.

The AutoFlow innovative spool piece is unique due to its ATEX Zone 0 intrinsically safe certification that allows it to be used in the world's most hazardous environments.

The flow meter also interfaces seamlessly with existing Class 1 Division 1 installations.

The AutoFlow features four-path transit time technology that delivers the highest attainable accuracy on virtually all liquid petroleum products.

The system also compensates for temperature, pressure and density to provide superior repeatability and linearity.

"The petroleum industry has recognised for some time that conventional mechanical flow meters, with their many moving parts, are a maintenance nightmare.

As these customers see the benefits of ultrasonic technology, they're replacing turbine and positive displacement meters with products like the Thermo AutoFlow," said Mike Snowden, product specialist with Thermo Electron.

"Building on more than 30 years of ultrasonic technology experience, we're confident that the AutoFlow will satisfy our valued customers accuracy and safety demands to improve fluid handling efficiency at refineries and tank farms".

Key features and benefits of the AutoFlow Ultrasonic Liquid Flow Measurement System include.

* Full-featured flow computer that uses a high-speed 32-bit industrial processor with DSP and incorporates all required API approved algorithms and software.

* Four-path transit time transducer configuration.

* Removable transducers which are replaceable under process pressure conditions.

* Bi-directional, high reliability with accuracy of +/- 0.15% of flow and repeatability of +/- 0.05% of flow.

* Meter spool size from 4 -16 inches with no moving parts.

* ATEX Zone 0 (Class 1 Div 1) hazardous area certification.

* Recessed transducer design suitable for pigging.

* Compensation for temperature, pressure and density inputs in accordance with API standards.

* Several user interfaces including keypad, laptop configuration software through RS232, and embedded HTML server that can be accessed via the Internet.

* Multiple levels of security to ensure controlled user access.

* Various batching options.

* Logs for flow data, alarms and audit trails.

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