Turbine Type Flow Meters and Turbine Flow Transmitters with Precision Pulse Outputs for Fluid Fuel

Quick Answer: Silver Automation Instruments supplies turbine type flow meters and turbine flow transmitters with pulse output for diesel, fuel oil, jet fuel and clean liquid fuels. Accuracy of 0.5 percent of reading is standard. Pulse output connects directly to PLC, batch controller and remote totalizer systems without extra signal conversion.

What a Turbine Flow Meter Does in Fuel Service

A turbine flow meter uses a rotor with precision blades. Fluid moves through the meter body and spins the rotor. Rotor speed is linear with flow velocity. A pickup sensor detects each blade pass. The result is a frequency output. The frequency is proportional to flow rate.

For fuel measurement this matters. You need totalized volume for inventory. You need flow rate for process control. Pulse output gives both. A pulse signal survives long cable runs better than an analog signal. Many terminal and batching systems in Indonesia and Malaysia already use pulse input modules.

Pulse Output and Turbine Flow Transmitter Options

Standard pulse output. The turbine meter sends a square wave frequency. The signal amplitude depends on the pickup type. Most models use 24 V DC power. Signal frequency can range from 10 Hz to 3000 Hz depending on flow and blade count.

4-20 mA HART transmitter. Some sites need analog input to an existing DCS or SCADA. Silver Instruments pairs the turbine meter with a turbine flow transmitter. The transmitter converts frequency to a 4-20 mA HART signal. Totalizer and rate display can be local or remote.

We have supplied both versions to a diesel storage terminal in Vietnam. The terminal wanted pulse output for a batch controller. They also needed 4-20 mA for the control room. The solution was one turbine meter body with two output paths.

Common Fuels and Compatible Materials

Turbine flow meters work well with clean low viscosity fuels. Diesel, kerosene, jet fuel, gasoline, light fuel oil and biodiesel blends are typical. Viscosity range is usually 0.5 to 100 cP. Higher viscosity heavy fuel oil needs a different meter type or a larger turbine meter with special bearings.

Wetted materials in our standard fuel turbine flow meter include 316 stainless steel housing and tungsten carbide bearings. Rotor material can be stainless steel or CD4MCu. Seals are PTFE or FKM. For aggressive fuels or chemical solvents we use PFA lined turbine meters or special alloy rotors.

Do not use a turbine flow meter for dirty fluids with particles. A strainer upstream is standard. We recommend a 100 mesh strainer for diesel and gasoline lines. Without a strainer the rotor can jam. We have seen this on customer sites in the Philippines where fuel truck loading lines had rust particles.

Size Range and Performance Data

Silver Instruments turbine flow meters cover DN4 to DN300. Flow ranges start from 0.04 L/min for small fuel dosing skids. Large fuel transfer lines can reach 600 m3/h. Pressure ratings go up to 250 bar for small sizes and PN16 to PN40 for flanged larger sizes.

Typical accuracy is 0.5 percent of reading for liquid flow above the transition flow rate. Repeatability is often 0.1 percent. Turndown ratio can reach 10 to 1 or 15 to 1 for low viscosity fuels. Process temperature is -20 to 120 degrees Celsius as standard. High temperature versions reach 150 degrees Celsius.

We recommend the TUF series turbine flow meter with pulse pickup for most fuel applications. For analog and HART output choose the STF series turbine flow transmitter. Both series can be supplied with calibration certificates. Each meter is calibrated on a volumetric bench at the factory. Calibration points follow 5 points across the flow range.

ATEX and Hazardous Area Versions

Fuel measurement often sits in Zone 1 or Zone 2 areas. The turbine pickup can be ordered with ATEX or IECEx approval. Intrinsic safety is common. The transmitter housing can be aluminum or stainless steel with explosion proof certification.

A customer in the UAE needed ATEX Zone 1 turbine flow meters for jet fuel hydrant dispensers. We supplied battery powered local display versions with Ex ia certification. The units remain in service for three years without bearing replacement.

Installation Notes That Prevent Field Problems

Most engineers skip this part. Straight pipe length affects turbine meter accuracy. We recommend 10D upstream and 5D downstream for standard accuracy. If you cannot provide 10D, use a flow conditioner. For high accuracy custody transfer use 15D upstream.

Mount the meter with the flow arrow in the correct direction. Install the strainer upstream. Keep the pipe full. Avoid air slugs. On truck loading skids we often install an air eliminator before the turbine meter. This protects the bearings and improves accuracy.

Vibration is another issue. Turbine meters have moving parts. Mount the meter on a supported line. For very low flow rates the bearing drag can affect linearity. Ask our engineers for the minimum flow rate of your specific fuel.

Typical Industries and Applications

We supply turbine flow meters to oil and gas distributors in Australia, Southeast Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. Common applications include diesel generator fuel consumption, fuel truck loading, marine fuel transfer, burner fuel oil measurement and solvent batching.

Last year a customer in Vietnam asked us for a turbine flow meter to measure diesel feed to test engines. The meter was DN15 with 0.5 percent accuracy. Pulse output went to a PLC counter. The order included two spare bearing kits and one pickup sensor. The total lead time was 7 days.

A chemical plant in Thailand now uses three turbine flow transmitters for solvent blending. The solvents are low viscosity and clean. The 4-20 mA HART signal goes to a PLC. The customer reports stable readings after three months of continuous operation.

How to Size and Select a Turbine Flow Meter

Send us these values. Fluid name, viscosity in cP, density in kg/m3, flow range, pipe size, pressure, temperature and output required. We will recommend a meter size and pickup type. We will also check if the flow range sits within the linear range of the turbine meter.

Do not oversize the meter. A large meter with low flow gives poor accuracy. A small meter with high flow can wear bearings quickly. We select the meter so the normal flow is around 50 to 70 percent of the maximum rated flow.

For diesel fuel in a DN25 pipe a common choice is a DN25 turbine flow meter with a flow range of 1 to 10 m3/h. For gasoline loading arms DN80 meters often cover 10 to 80 m3/h. For jet fuel hydrant dispensers DN40 meters may cover 1.5 to 30 m3/h.

FAQ

What is the pulse output signal from a turbine flow meter? The pulse output is a square wave frequency. Frequency is proportional to flow rate. A typical signal is 24 V DC pulse or open collector. The K factor gives pulses per liter or pulses per gallon.

Can a turbine flow meter measure diesel fuel and fuel oil? Yes. Diesel, light fuel oil and clean low viscosity fuels work well. Heavy fuel oil with high viscosity or particles requires a different meter type or special bearing and strainer arrangement.

What pipe sizes and flow ranges do you offer? We cover DN4 to DN300. Flow ranges start from 0.04 L/min and reach 600 m3/h depending on size and fuel type. We advise the meter size after you send flow range and pipe size.

Do you supply ATEX or explosion proof versions? Yes. We supply ATEX and IECEx versions for Zone 1 and Zone 2. The pickup can be intrinsically safe. The transmitter housing can be explosion proof.

How do I request a quote for a turbine flow transmitter? Send us fluid name, flow range, pipe size, pressure, temperature and output needed. Contact Silver Automation Instruments by Tel +86-25-68650347 or Whatsapp +86-25-52155837 or WeChat +86 15365082610. You will receive a selection and price within 24 hours.

Contact Silver Automation Instruments for turbine type flow meters and turbine flow transmitters with pulse output. Visit our website flow-meter.com.au for more product data. Tell us your fuel type, viscosity, pipe size, pressure, temperature and flow range. We will reply with a specific model and quotation.

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