Chilled water flow meter is a flowmeter that can be used to measure low temperature water. Common chilled water flowmeters include electromagnetic flow meters, turbine flow meters and ultrasonic flow meters. Used in condensing systems, chillers or HVAC. there are multiple flow and energy measurement opportunities in chilled water systems and Apure offers a range of chilled water flow meter technologies that are particularly well suited for this challenging application. Some considerations for drive technology selection include installation requirements, accuracy requirements and maintenance implications. Apure’s insertion turbine and insertion electromagnetic flowmeters are easy to install in new or existing systems, provide accurate measurements over a wide range of flow regulation, and offer years of trouble-free service in closed-loop hydronic systems.

For installations requiring the highest accuracy, such as cost allocation, performance contracting or sub-metering, in-line electromagnetic flowmeters may be the best solution. But there is no best chilled water flow meter, only the most appropriate one. This is because the details of each pipeline application are different. According to the actual measurement situation, choose the most suitable flowmeter. It can save a lot of time and cost.

Depending on the requirements of the chilled water application, other Apure meters may be more suitable. Please review the meters below or feel free to contact us for a further conversation.

FAQ

In order to ensure the accurate measurement of chilled water flow meter, the installation position and method must be correctly selected

  1. Requirements for straight pipe section: it must be installed horizontally on the pipe (the pipe tilt is less than 5). During installation, the flowmeter axis should be concentric with the pipe axis and flow direction should be consistent. The length of the upstream pipe should be no less than 2D straight pipe section. If the installation site permits, it is recommended that the upstream straight pipe section be 20D and the downstream pipe section be 5D.
  2. Requirements for piping: The inner diameter of the upstream and downstream piping of the installation point is the same as that of the flowmeter.
  3. Requirements on by-pass pipe: In order to ensure that the maintenance of the flowmeter does not affect the normal use of the medium, the cut-off valve (cut-off valve) should be installed on the front and rear pipes of the turbine flowmeter, and the by-pass pipe should be set at the same time. Flow control valve to be installed in the downstream of the flow meter, the upstream installed cut-off valve must be fully open when in use, to avoid the upstream part of the fluid produced unstable flow phenomenon.
  4. The requirements of the external environment: it is best to install in the indoor, must be installed in the outdoor, must use sunscreen, rain. Lightning protection measures, so as not to affect service life.
  5. Requirements for impurities in the medium: In order to ensure the service life of the flowmeter, the filter should be installed in front of the straight pipe section of the flowmeter.
  6. Installation site: The flowmeter should be installed in a place that is easy to maintain and free from strong electromagnetic interference and thermal radiation.
  1. The low-temperature resistance of the data.
  2. The electrical insulation of the electromagnetic flowmeter transmitter.

Ultrasonic flowmeter can measure the flow rate. The temperature should not exceed -40℃~160℃. Requires a complete test tube and uniform medium. It can display instantaneous flow rate, flow rate, cumulative flow rate and cumulative running time.

Ultrasonic calorimeter can measure heat supply, flow rate and temperature monitoring. Air conditioning heating and cooling capacity measurement.

The following is our experience sharing: chiller chilled water flow measurement technique. We hope it will be helpful to you.

1. Chiller into and out of the water pressure detection of water pipes

By detecting the return water pressure and outlet water pressure values. Check the water flow rate of the chiller under the inlet and outlet water pressure difference in the random manual of the chiller.

Refer to the corresponding unit water flow rate table or chart in the manual. Thus, determine whether the refrigeration system is normal or not.

And by this difference to determine which section of the transmission pipe resistance value is higher. And develop the corresponding rectification plan and action.

2. Test the refrigerator return water temperature and water temperature (the unit needs to be in normal condition)

After 30 minutes of power on, check the system or chilled water system inlet and outlet thermometer through the unit control system parameters.
The inlet water temperature and outlet water temperature can be read when the unit is running. The difference must be about 4-6 degrees.

If the difference between the inlet and outlet water temperatures is too large, the water system is flowing too little water through the plates. This may cause the equipment to fail to operate properly or be damaged.

3. Pump running current detection

By detecting the running current of the refrigerator water pump, and the rated current for comparison. You can determine whether the actual water flow is greater than or less than the rated water flow of the pump.

Combined with the previous parameters comprehensive judgment. In order to get an accurate chiller system test and analysis report.

4. Compressor copper tube suction temperature detection (only when the refrigeration operation)

If the refrigerator and freezer is turned on after 30 minutes

The compressor suction temperature is detected to be lower than 0 degrees. It means that the water flow in the water side heat exchanger is not enough, which causes the evaporation temperature and evaporation pressure to drop.

and causes Freon to still evaporate and absorb heat from the suction tube flowing from the evaporator to the compressor. It will lead to the compressor suction temperature below 0 degrees.

In addition, it is necessary to eliminate the drop of evaporating pressure and evaporating temperature caused by low water temperature setting value.

Non-standard low water temperature unit can be considered normal as long as the compressor suction superheat degree is 6-8 degrees Celsius.

So under the normal water flow. The compressor suction temperature is generally greater than 0℃. Below this value, the water system problem needs to be excluded.

Extended reading:

Solvent flow meter
Sewage flowmeter
Oil and gas flow meter
Relation between flow and pressure