Flowmeters that work not only with high precision but also meet strict standards and legal requirements in terms of hygiene and cleaning are in great demand in the food, beverage, luxury goods, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. The Bürkert FLOWave Type 8098 offers a practical solution to this challenge.
Innovative SAW technology
The flowmeter works according to the patented SAW method, i.e. it uses surface acoustic waves for measurement. The main advantage of this method is that there are no installations or constrictions and thus no dead spaces in the measurement tube. In addition, the measurement takes place without any contact between the sensor elements and the medium; there is no fluid impact on the sensor elements, nor is it possible for the medium to be contaminated by them. This is hygienic and facilitates cleaning (hygienic design). And since the measurement tube does not differ, in terms of its flow characteristics, from any other straight tube section in the plant, there is also no pressure drop. The compact size and low weight also allow for uncomplicated installation.
Unlike other measuring methods, FLOWave is also suitable for media without electrical conductivity, consumes significantly less energy than Coriolis flowmeters, for example, and can be mounted in any installation position. The measurement works with stagnant liquids and fast flowing ones as well as with changes in flow. Moreover, no maintenance is required, which can significantly reduce the costs of ownership.
Exact and future-proof
The compact, all-stainless steel flowmeter measures the volume flow with an accuracy of 0.4% of the measured value. The temperature is measured simultaneously with an accuracy of ≤ 1 °C. Depending on the DN, the PN is up to 40 bar. The temperature range has been designed to perform both CIP and SIP processes. The measurement device is offered in tube sizes DN8, DN15, DN25, DN40 as well as DN50 for tubes and clamp connections according to ASME, ISO and SMS and can be used with or without a display. The FLOWave transmitter is based on the EDIP (Efficient Device Integration Platform) electronics platform, which enables networking with other Bürkert devices to form an intelligent system. This not only significantly facilitates integration into existing applications but also the handling of the devices.
Measuring relevant fluidic parameters with just one device
In addition to measuring the volume flow and temperature, FLOWave has been expanded to include other measured values such as the density factor (for liquid detection) and the acoustic transmission factor (for gas bubble detection). FLOWave is now one of the few devices that cover this wide range of applications: From pharmaceutical applications, through the food sector, to industrial applications. FLOWave is used very successfully in water-like media, e.g. acids, alkalis and condensates, and especially in non-conductive water. Measuring media such as oil, juice, beer or wine is also possible without any problems. In the brewery sector, the versatile flowmeter is also used to measure the concentration of the original wort.
Reliable measurement of alcohols: Explosion protection approval
For a reliable process, quality and production guidelines must be observed and production parameters documented, even with frequent product changes. To this end, Bürkert Fluid Control Systems now also offers its FLOWave flowmeter Type 8098 as an ATEX-certified version up to Ex zone 2 for production processes in potentially explosive atmospheres.
The compact and lightweight device measures the volume flow independent of the medium’s conductivity and is, therefore, also suitable for measuring water for injection and alcohols. It can thus be used, e.g., for the production of pharmaceutical products, spirits, paints and varnishes.
Proven in the pharmaceutical industry
In the pharmaceutical industry, SAW flowmeters have already proven themselves in a multitude of applications, e.g. flow measurement of expensive water for injection, mixing of intravenous infusions, numerous dosing and monitoring tasks with varying fluids required for production, as well as critical CIP and SIP processes that require flow and temperature monitoring. Acoustic turbidity measurement is also possible.
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