Flow Meter Selection Chart

Fluid flow rate is an important measurement in the process industries. Selecting an appropriate flow measurement technique can be a daunting task. Flow metering technologies tend to fall into four classifications: velocity, inferential, positive displacement, and mass. Among the common flow meters used to measure flow include:

(a) Mass flow meters

(b) Magnetic flow meters

(c) Positive Displacement flow meters

(d) Turbine flow meters

(e) Differential pressure flow meters

(f) Ultrasonic flow meters

(g) Swirl and Vortex flow meters

To aid in the selection of

the right flow meter technology from a variety of technologies, the selection chart below will be useful and handy:

Process conditions/ Fluid Properties	Flow Meter  Technologies
	Magnetic	Coriolis	Differential Pressure  Orifice	Vortex, Swirl	Mass Thermal	Wedge	Rotameter
Liquids
Conductive
Non-Conductive
High Solids
Pulsating Flow
High Viscosity
Gases
Dry/Clean
Moist
Corrosive
Contaminated
Steam
Key : Green = Best and Optimal ; Yellow = Suitable ; Red = Not Suitable