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Multi-Tube Flow Meter: Custom Laboratory Gas Blending Manifold Systems
Quick Answer: Silver Automation Instruments builds custom multi-tube flow meter panels for laboratory gas blending manifold systems. Each gas line gets its own flow channel, so engineers can control N2, CO2, CH4, O2, and air independently. Send us your gas mix, flow range per channel, pressure in bar, temperature in °C, pipe size in DN, and fitting standard. We return a quote with a manifold sketch within 48 hours.
What a Multi-Tube Flow Meter Does in a Gas Blending Manifold
A multi-tube flow meter panel puts two or more flow channels in one metal enclosure. Engineers use these panels to blend gases before the mixture enters a reactor, a test chamber, or a burner. In practice, each gas line has its own sensor tube, control valve, and local readout. This avoids cross contamination and gives you independent flow data for every gas stream.
Custom systems often include four to eight tubes. A typical setup might cover N2 at 0 to 200 ml/min, CO2 at 0 to 5 L/min, and O2 at 0 to 100 ml/min. The manifold is built from 316L stainless steel with 1/4 inch or 6 mm tube fittings. Seals can be PTFE or Viton depending on gas type and concentration.
Why Standard Panels Do Not Fit Many Laboratory Setups
Most catalog gas mixing panels force a fixed tube count or a fixed flow range. Lab users often need a special combination. Some need very low flow down to 5 sccm for catalyst testing. Others need higher flow for pilot scale reactor feed. A custom multi-tube flow meter solves this without extra adapters and without dead volume inside the manifold.
We have supplied a food packaging lab in Malaysia with a six channel gas blending manifold. The range was 0 to 10 L/min per channel for N2 and CO2. Another customer in Chile needed a two channel system for CH4 and air at 0.5 MPa working pressure. Both projects used wall mounted enclosures with 316L stainless steel tubing.
Key Specifications We Ask From Customers
You should specify gas type, full flow range per channel, process pressure, process temperature, wetted material, fitting size, output signal, and power supply. For example, a common specification is 0 to 500 ml/min N2, 0.1 MPa, 25 °C, 316L wetted parts, 1/4 inch compression fittings, 4-20 mA HART output, and 24 V DC power.
Accuracy for thermal mass flow meters we use is usually 1.0 percent of full scale. Repeatability is 0.2 percent of full scale. Response time is under 2 seconds. The flow sensor can be calibrated for air, N2, CO2, CH4, O2, or Ar. We convert calibration factors based on your actual gas mix. Each tube is calibrated separately before assembly.
Recommended Flow Meter Type for Laboratory Gas Blending
For most laboratory gas blending, a thermal mass flow meter is the right choice. It measures mass flow directly, not volume flow. It compensates for small temperature and pressure changes at the lab bench. It works well at low flow rates from 0.5 sccm up to 1000 L/min depending on tube size.
For higher pressure pilot plants or corrosive gases, a Coriolis mass flow meter may be a better fit. Coriolis meters handle gases like NH3, HCl, or SO2 with proper wetted materials. But for most N2, CO2, O2, air, and CH4 b
We build multi-tube panels with either measurement technology. The enclosure can be wall mounted or benchtop. Digital output options include RS485 Modbus RTU, 4-20 mA, and pulse. Analog outputs are common for PLC integration.
Typical Applications for Multi-Tube Gas Flow Meters
We see these systems in university labs, food packaging research, gas sensor calibration, semiconductor process development, and wastewater analysis. In gas sensor calibration, a lab might need zero air, span gas, and balance N2. A four tube flow meter panel gives each gas its own loop. In food packaging, a customer may blend N2 and CO2 to control headspace oxygen. The flow panel is placed next to the packaging machine and sends 4-20 mA signals to the PLC.
In Brazil, one distributor asked us for a two channel panel for CO2 and N2. The end user was a beverage bottler. They needed 0 to 20 L/min CO2 and 0 to 50 L/min N2. Working pressure was 0.6 MPa. We used 1/2 inch process connections and included one isolation valve per channel.
Prices and Lead Time
Pricing depends on tube count, flow range, wetted material, and calibration gas. A basic two channel thermal mass flow meter panel with 316L tubing and 4-20 mA output usually starts at USD 1,800. A six channel panel with wider flow ranges may cost between USD 4,500 and USD 8,000. For a firm quote, send us your full gas schedule.
Typical lead time is 3 to 5 weeks after drawing approval. If the gas is common and the flow range is standard, we can sometimes ship in 2 weeks.
FAQ
Can you build a multi-tube flow meter for corrosive gases?
Yes. We select 316L stainless steel, PTFE, or Hastelloy C276 wetted parts. The gas type and concentration decide the seal material. You send us the gas list. We confirm compatibility before quoting.
What flow range can one tube handle?
It depends on tube diameter. We have tubes for 0 to 5 sccm and tubes up to 1000 L/min. You give the minimum and maximum flow range for each channel. We size the tube accordingly.
What output signals are available?
Standard outputs are 4-20 mA HART and RS485 Modbus RTU. Optional outputs include 0-5 V DC and pulse. Send us your PLC or DAQ input type.
How long does delivery take for a custom gas blending manifold?
Typical lead time is 3 to 5 weeks after drawing approval. Sometimes common gas and standard ranges ship in 2 weeks. Exact lead time depends on tube count and calibration gas availability.
Do you provide calibration certificates?
Yes. Every flow meter channel ships with a calibration report. The report lists the gas, flow setpoints, accuracy, and test pressure. We can also include third party calibration if your lab requires it.
Contact Silver Automation Instruments: Tel: +86-135-1213-1526 | Whatsapp: 86-135-12131526 | WeChat: +86 13512131526 | Website: flow-meter.com.au
Send us your gas type, flow range per channel, pressure in bar, temperature in °C, pipe size in DN, and fitting standard. We will return a quote with a manifold drawing within 48 hours. This avoids guessing and gets you a panel that fits your existing lab piping.
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