Flow

Flow

Industrial flow measurement covers the continuous or batch quantification of liquids, gases, and steam to support stable product quality, safe operation, optimized throughput, and environmental performance. Typical media range from water and steam to natural gas, mineral oils, and aggressive chemical streams. Because no single measuring principle fits every combination of fluid properties, pipe size, installation constraints, and accuracy targets, a broad technology portfolio is used to match the measurement to the process.

Core flow technologies include electromagnetic meters for conductive liquids, Coriolis meters for direct mass flow (often with additional variables such as density), ultrasonic meters for nonintrusive or inline measurement on liquids and gases, vortex meters for saturated or superheated steam and many gas services, thermal mass meters for gas flow, and differential-pressure-based measurement where primary elements and process conditions favor that approach. Selecting among these principles is typically driven by viscosity, conductivity, entrained gas/solids, pressure/temperature limits, straight-run availability, and allowable pressure loss.

The primary benefit of a well-matched flowmeter is measurement integrity that holds up over time and across operating windows. Accurate, repeatable flow data reduces variability in dosing, mixing, and transfer operations, improves mass/energy balance confidence, and provides actionable insight for constraint management. Modern devices also contribute with embedded diagnostics and digital communications, allowing measurement health to be treated as part of operational risk management rather than an after-the-fact troubleshooting activity.

Common applications include custody and internal transfer monitoring, batching and recipe control, utility tracking for steam and compressed gases, chemical feed and neutralization control, CIP/SIP verification, and water distribution or treatment flow monitoring. In steam systems, properly applied vortex or differential pressure solutions are frequently used to support energy allocation and boiler/heat-user optimization; in hygienic services, material and connection choices support cleanability while maintaining measurement performance.

Integration typically centers on consistent signal standards and asset documentation so flow measurement becomes a reliable input to control, safety layers, quality records, and maintenance planning. A comprehensive product “basket” enables selection of best-fit technology by service, while standardized configuration and documentation practices simplify lifecycle management across fleets of instruments. 

George E. Booth Co., an exclusive authorized representative of sales and service for Endress+Hauser.