Application Cases of Handheld Ultrasonic Flowmeters

Application Cases of Handheld Ultrasonic Flowmeters

Handheld ultrasonic flowmeters feature non-intrusive clamp-on design, portability and plug-and-play functionality as their core advantages, and are suitable for scenarios such as temporary measurement, multi-point inspection and commissioning without production shutdown. The following are 6 typical application cases, highlighting rapid on-site response and cost benefits.

I. Leakage Location for Municipal Water Supply Networks (Time-Difference Method + Data Storage Module)

- Scenario: Rapid detection of hidden leaks in DN100-DN300 pipe networks in old urban areas during low-flow night periods, with non-stop water operation required.

- Solution: Time-difference handheld host + clamp-on sensors, paired with coupling agent; input pipe diameter and material parameters, and transmit data to mobile phone APP via Bluetooth.

- Effect: Leakage location time per area reduced from 4 hours to 1.5 hours, improving efficiency by 60%; annual water leakage reduced by approximately 1.2 million m³, saving 800,000 yuan in detection costs.

II. Commissioning of Chemical Pump Units (PTFE Sensors + Corrosion Resistance Adaptation)

- Scenario: A newly installed DN80 sulfuric acid transfer pump requires verification of whether the outlet flow meets the standard; the medium is highly corrosive and pipe disassembly is prohibited.

- Solution: Handheld Doppler host + PTFE clamp-on sensors, enabling non-contact measurement to avoid corrosion risks.

- Effect: Commissioning time reduced from 4 hours to 1 hour, saving 150,000 yuan in labor costs annually; no fluid contact, achieving zero pollution and zero leakage risks.

III. Energy Auditing of Circulating Water Systems in Steel Plants (Cumulative Flow + Temperature Compensation)

- Scenario: A DN400 circulating water system requires flow and temperature measurement to calculate heat exchange capacity for optimizing pump unit operation strategies.

- Solution: Handheld time-difference host + dual sensors with temperature compensation function, built-in storage for recording cumulative flow.

- Effect: After optimization, the energy consumption of pump units decreased by 12%, saving 300,000 yuan in electricity costs annually; data can be exported for energy efficiency reports to support acceptance of energy-saving renovation projects.

IV. Suspended Solids Flow Monitoring at Sewage Treatment Plant Inlets (Doppler Method + Signal Enhancement)

- Scenario: The inlet channel contains high suspended solids, requiring temporary replacement of faulty fixed flowmeters and linkage with the chemical dosing system.

- Solution: Handheld Doppler host + high-gain sensors, suitable for fluids containing bubbles/particles, with 4-20mA output linked to the PLC system.

- Effect: Measurement error controlled within ±1.5%, improving dosing accuracy by 20%; no production shutdown during the fault period, and the cost of temporary monitoring is only 1/5 that of fixed flowmeters.

V. Hydraulic Balance Commissioning of Building HVAC Systems (Small-Diameter Adaptation + Rapid Measuring Point Switching)

- Scenario: DN25-DN100 air conditioning water pipes in commercial complexes suffer from uneven flow in multiple branches, requiring rapid hydraulic balance adjustment.

- Solution: Handheld time-difference host + small-diameter dedicated sensors, enabling rapid switching of measuring points and real-time display of flow values.

- Effect: System refrigeration efficiency improved by 15%, saving 220,000 kWh of electricity annually; commissioning cycle reduced from 3 days to 1 day, cutting labor costs by 60%.

VI. Flow Monitoring of Fish Farm Filtration Systems (PVC Pipe Adaptation + Long Battery Life)

- Scenario: PVC pipes connecting fish ponds and filtration systems require long-term temporary flow monitoring to ensure biological safety.

- Solution: Handheld time-difference host + low-power sensors with built-in lithium batteries, supporting 8 hours of continuous measurement on a single charge.

- Effect: Flow stability improved, reducing fish disease incidence by 30%; no pipe damage required, installation completed in only 5 minutes, meeting biological safety requirements.

Summary of Core Advantages

- Non-intrusive: Clamp-on installation without pipe disassembly, production shutdown or medium contact, suitable for corrosive, high-purity and hazardous fluids.

- Portable & Efficient: Single-person operation, fast measuring point switching, greatly shortening commissioning and troubleshooting time, and significantly reducing labor and downtime costs.

- Flexible Adaptation: Covering pipe diameters from DN15 to DN6000; time-difference method for clean liquids and Doppler method for impurity-containing liquids, compatible with metal and plastic pipes.