Next-gen flow meters use alumina for sensitivity & accuracy

High performance ultrasonic flow meters have many applications, but in particular they are used in smart meters for utility and industrial flow measurement. Given the roll-out of smart meters worldwide, there is increased demand for accurate, reliable and durable ultrasonic flow meters.

Compared with traditional mechanical flow meters, ultrasonic meters provide greater sensitivity, accuracy and longevity. This is largely due to their use of solid state technology, which means they have no internal moving parts and so suffer no internal wear. That, in turn, means ultrasonic meters retain their accuracy over the long term.

In a fully assembled ultrasonic flow meter, a pair of sensors is mounted in parallel to a flow tube, along with other electronic devices required. The meter calculates the flow rate of a medium, generally a liquid or gas, by assessing the delay in response between the two sensors, which are driven by electricity to create ultrasonic waves.

It is very important that the ultrasonic wave created by one sensor be transmitted to the other sensor with minimal loss. Blocks with an angled reflective surface are used to achieve this. The blocks must retain their reflective surface throughout service, since any loss or degradation of reflection will impair the transmission of the signal between sensors. Traditionally, stainless steel has been used to make such blocks, but as new technologies and possibilities come into view, it is important to investigate their qualities.

Morgan’s Technical Ceramics business is a market leader in the manufacture of ultrasonic flow sensors, using a special grade of Piezoelectric ceramic, lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT). This cutting-edge material, combined with Morgan's top class manufacturing and assembly capabilities, produces ultrasonic sensors of exceptional quality. Now, Morgan is putting itself firmly at the forefront of relevant research, in collaboration with the Advanced Ceramics Research Group at Loughborough University.

The Loughborough group, led by Professor Bala Vaidhyanathan, is globally respected and widely acknowledged as one of the leading teams concerned with the understanding and characterisation of technical materials. Together, the two organisations will evaluate the degradation of stainless steel and alumina ceramics, through a test that simulates 20 years of service within a flow tube. The alumina ceramics used in this research are all approved by the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS), which approves the materials commonly used in water management applications.

Dr Yifei Zhang of Morgan Advanced Materials believes this research partnership is likely to produce outcomes of significant interest and practical use, not only for Morgan but for many sectors and applications. He commented: “The accurate measurement of volume flow is important in many sectors, but at the moment there is particular interest in smart meters. This growing commercial application fuels demand for highly accurate meters that are cost-effective and durable which require novel materials to be applied in innovative new ways. We are proud to be working with Loughborough University on the type of research that will take technical ceramics – and ultrasonic flow meters – into the future.”