Thermal Gas Mass Flow Meter
A thermal gas mass flow meter is a device that measures the mass flow rate of a gas by measuring the heat transfer between a heated element and the flowing gas. The thermal mass flow meter consists of a heated sensor element, a temperature sensor, and a flow controller. The heated element is typically made of a wire or a strip of metal that is heated by an electric current. The temperature sensor measures the temperature of the heated element. The flow controller regulates the flow of gas past the heated element.
About Thermal Gas Mass Flow Meter
The gas flow meters are available in a variety of configurations, including insertion, inline, and vortex. Insertion meters are inserted directly into the flow stream. Inline meters are installed in the pipe through which the gas is flowing. Vortex meters are installed in a bypass line around the main pipe.
The standard for thermal mass flow meters is standard cubic feet per minute (SCFM) or normal cubic meters per hour (NCMH).
The measurement of thermal mass flow makes use of the basic physical principle that relates the flowing mass (in grams per second) to the applied power (in Joules of heat per second) with specific heat capacity (in Joules per gram per degree Celsius) and heat-induced temperature difference (in degrees Celsius).
Applications
Natural gas metering
Air conditioning and refrigeration
Chemical processing
Environmental monitoring
Medical gas delivery
Thermal gas mass flow meters are accurate, reliable, and relatively easy to maintain. They are also available in a wide range of sizes and flow rates.
Advantages
Accurate: Thermal mass flow meters are very accurate, with a measurement accuracy of typically ±0.5% of full scale.
Reliable: Thermal mass flow meters are very reliable and have a long service life.
Easy to maintain: Thermal mass flow meters are relatively easy to maintain and require little calibration.
Wide range of applications: Thermal mass flow meters are available in a wide range of sizes and flow rates, making them suitable for a variety of applications.
Disadvantages
Sensitive to contaminants: Thermal mass flow meters can be sensitive to contaminants in the gas stream, which can affect the accuracy of the measurement.
Expensive: Thermal gas mass flow meters are more expensive than some other types of mass flow meters.
Conclusion
Thermal gas mass flow meters are a versatile and accurate way to measure the mass flow rate of gases. They are used in a variety of applications, including natural gas metering, air conditioning and refrigeration, chemical processing, environmental monitoring, and medical gas delivery.
