Pass the pig with the FLOWave flowmeter
In applications that require various maintenance functions without stopping the flow of the product in the pipeline, pigging is a useful ally. The only drawback has traditionally been the need for a separate, bypassed pipeline for the attachment of flowmeters to ensure the smooth flow of the pipeline pig without causing damage to the flowmeter. The Bürkert FLOWave flowmeter overcomes this problem with its straight-through pipe design, enabling far more efficient pigging processes. In this article, Mark Lilley, Field Segment Manager .hygienic – Food and Beverage at Bürkert explains the significance of this breakthrough.
FLOWave vs traditional pipeline pigging products
In the past, if you had a flowmeter on a pipeline that you wanted to pig, you would have to bypass the main line to put your flowmeter on it because you couldn’t put a pipeline pig through a flowmeter. You wouldn’t necessarily have the size to do so or you would have something poking through that would impede the process. For example, an electrode on a magmeter or paddle wheel flowmeter, which the pig would hit it as it travels down the pipe.
FLOWave gives you ease of pipework. You don’t have to have a separate line for your flowmeter and you can clean your pipe without any problem. One of the other advantages is that we can measure how contaminated the pipes are. So, measuring a trend, you will see a deterioration in either the acoustic transmissioning or a change in the density of your media. In fact, it might not necessarily be a change in the media but could be that the pipes are getting lined or coated with product inside.
In either case, the transmission of the signal through the pipework will be affected. Therefore, what you can actually do with FLOWave is monitor that trend and when you reach a certain level of deterioration or fouling, that’s the point you need to carry out CIP or send your pig down the pipework. FLOWave will give you an output of how contaminated your pipes are, as well as a fouling alert that your pipes are getting fouled and need to be cleaned.
FLOWave eliminates human error in your pigging system
Manufacturers may also find that operators are sending the pig down when it doesn’t necessarily need to. Or they’re not sending it down frequently enough, which means there is a contaminated product. This can be detrimental to the flow of the product and therefore slows the process down. FLOWave can eliminate any human error and vastly improve your pigging system, especially in applications involving viscous media that could stick to the pipework.
The Bürkert FLOWave is a multi-parameter device. At the moment it can measure volume flow, temperature, viscosity and fouling, as well as the bubbles and solids within a media – all within one compact device. It’s also very lightweight and easy to integrate because it is so small. With the FLOWave, you can put it up high in the pipework if you wanted to. It is also easy to use, which is another added benefit.
Bürkert FLOWave presents Coriolis alternative
There are no moving parts on the FLOWave. That means that it should last as long as your pipework does. FLOWave is also around two thirds the price of a Coriolis flowmeter, which is a significant saving if budget is a major factor. It is slightly more expensive than a magflow meter, but then a magflow only measures flow – FLOWave does so much more.
With FLOWave you have all the aforementioned measurement parameters in one device. Typically, in a CIP application, you’d measure the flow of the CIP, then you’d use a temperature sensor to measure the temperature and you’d probably use some form of conductivity or pH device to measure the conductivity or pH of the product going through it. This is also how you would normally carry out your media separation process.
So, your product would have one level of conductivity, your acidic wash may have another level of conductivity and your water would have another level of conductivity. You can then determine what’s going through the pipe. With FLOWave, you don’t need the temperature or secondary conductivity sensor because you can do it all within this one intelligent device.For more information about the Bürkert FLOWave flowmeter, or to discuss your application requirements in more detail, please contact our sales team today on +44 (0) 1285 648 720 or email sales.uk@burkert.com.
FLOWave SAW flowmeter
- No obstacles inside the measuring tube, compact, lightweight and low energy consumption
- Conforms to hygienic requirements, CIP/SIP compatible
- Ideal for liquids with low or no conductivity
- Digital communication (Bürkert system bus (büS)/CANopen, industrial communication over Modbus TCP, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT® or IO-Link), parameterisation via Communicator, display
- Optional: ATEX/IECEx (II 3G/D), hazardous locations (HazLoc) certifications