Trust is fine, but it’s better to keep an eye on things
System solutions for flow rate measurement

Companies that produce or process fluids (aggressive chemicals, petroleum products, explosive substances or food) need more than just the right pumps. They have to have an accurate, efficient way of tracking fluid volumes, because accurate measurement provides the basis for product quality and ensures that resources which are often expensive are used efficiently.

Pump manufacturers and supplies of measurement and control systems offer a number of different approaches, which are often designed for one particular purpose, for example pumping or flow rate tracking. The combination of products on offer is often not well balanced, or the components require significant effort to link together. Other solutions appear too complicated and too big for the job. Useful functions that cost a lot of money often remain unused in practical application. As a result, faults, improper operation and system downtime hamper efficient production operations.
Sticking to the essentials
In most cases, all that is needed to track the volume of fluid that is being drained or transferred using drum and container pumps is a simple flow meter.

A display showing sub-quantity and total flow plus a reset function for the sub-quantity is normally sufficient. Lutz has enhanced its TR series of flow meters specifically for this purpose. This device is a compact meter featuring intuitive operation using a logically arranged set of function keys and an appropriate price/performance ratio compared to the pump. The flow meter is based on the turbine principle. It is suitable for a flow range of 10 - 40 l/min or 20 - 120 l/min and working pressures up to 2 bar, making it a suitable accessory for standard drum and container pumps. Proven material combinations (PP/FPM/HC-4or PVDF/FPM/HC-4) ensure that the meters are resistant to aggressive chemicals.
Handling greater complexity
As application requirements grow, the demands placed on the functionality and flexibility of the metering system increase as well. A multi-function modular system, which can be adapted to meet the user's individual needs while still leaving scope for future changes, provides the right answer. The modular TS series of flow meter systems is suitable for use in a wide range of applications. The individual modules such as the basic meter, relay module and operating unit can be combined and expanded as needed. The flow meter is based on the wobble-plate principle. The magnetic field generated by the fluid flowing through the measurement chamber activates a reed contact. This non-contact measurement system requires no seals. The pulses which are generated are passed to signal processing circuits, where they are converted and shown as volumes on the display. The meters are available in plastic or stainless steel and are designed for capacities of 10 - 120 l/min, temperatures up to 80oC, working pressure up to 10 bar and low or high viscosity media.
On request, Lutz can supply VA I flow meters made of PU which are safe to use in the food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.
System solution offering volume pre-selection
The products are designed for a wide range of applications, starting with simple metering tasks and extending right up to demanding filling operations in stationary systems. The application spectrum also includes gravimetric filling, pulse measurement on double diaphragm pumps and/or a data network with external signal processing (PLC, etc.). Flow meters with volume pre-selection are used when defined volumes of fluids need to be delivered at the push of a button. A meter system integrated into the relay modules takes over control of the pump unit and/or the solenoid valve until the desired volume has been delivered. Mobile volume pre-selection using plug-in modules is even available in EX applications. A user-friendly keyboard and large display make it very easy to operate the units. Plug-in connectors with mechanical coding make it possible for non-technical personnel to install and startup the systems.