ISA Expo 2004: FCI demonstrates air/gas flowmeter

Houston, TX— Combining a thermal flow-sensing element with optimized features, ST50 flowmeter was exhibited by Fluid Components International (FCI) at ISA Expo 2004 this week. ST50 reportedly redefines flow measurement of air, compressed air and nitrogen gas in 2-12 in. (51-305 mm) line sizes in many

ST50 has no moving parts, which means it can reportedly outlast orifice plates, differential pressure, vortex shedding and other thermal instruments. FCI adds that its flowmeter is ideal for municipal and industrial wastewater aeration control systems; industrial and commercial blower and dryer input/out air flow controls; industrial manufacturing burner and furnace air flow control; HVAC duct/damper control; and aeration flow control in lakes, ponds, or aquaculture.

ST50 is an insertion-type flowmeter designed with a fully temperature-compensated thermal flow sensing element constructed with precision, lithography-etched, platinum RTDs embedded in FCI’s patented equal-mass, miniature-diameter thermowells. Combining microelectronics with FCI’s precise calibration, ST50 reportedly achieves superior accuracy, fast response, and virtually maintenance-free operation with negligible pressure drop. ST50 is available as a blind transmitter, or with a large LCD digital display, which can be built into (integral) the main transmitter, or provided as a remote readout that can be located up to 50 feet (15 m) away.

Operating over a wide range, ST50 measures airflow from 1 to 125 SFPS (0.3 to 38 NMPS); nitrogen from 1 to 150 SFPS (0.3 to 46 NMPS); and compressed air from 4 to 400 SFPS (1.2 to 122 NMPS). Accuracy is +2% of reading, +0.5% of full scale, with repeatability of +0.5% of reading.

In addition, ST50 is field configurable for flow range in standard mass flow or volumetric engineering units. It features dual analog outputs, 4-20 mA, and 0-10 V dc, which are field assignable as flow rate or temperature, as well as a RS 232C I/O port. Also, a 0-1 kHz pulse output for totalizing flow is also available as an option. All configurations are easily set in the field with any standard laptop or via a standard PDA with FCI’s wireless IR link option.

With its built-in wireless IR technology, ST50 lets field technicians obtain readings or make setting changes to units that are installed in hard-to-reach locations. Via the IR link and FCI’s PDA software kit, ST50 users can perform configuration set-up or changes, read service/troubleshooting codes, and read measurement values. This wireless IR link also eliminates the need for proprietary programmers, which simplifies maintenance and reduces costs of using it.

Control Engineering Daily News DeskJim Montague, news editorjmontague@reedbusiness.com

Do you have experience and expertise with the topics mentioned in this content? You should consider contributing to our CFE Media editorial team and getting the recognition you and your company deserve. Click here to start this process.