Technical Specifications

Performance

Electrical & Signal

Variants Available

Why Choose a Vortex Flow Meter?

A vortex flow meter is built around the Karman vortex principle: as fluid passes a bluff body inside the pipe, it sheds alternating vortices at a frequency directly proportional to flow velocity. There are no moving mechanical parts to wear out and no consumable components — this is why vortex meters consistently outperform turbine meters in longevity for steam and high-temperature gas applications.

Unlike differential pressure meters (orifice plates, venturis), a vortex meter’s output frequency is independent of fluid density, pressure, viscosity, and temperature — parameters that must be compensated in DP systems. This makes vortex flow measurement inherently simpler and more stable across varying process conditions.

• No moving parts — nothing to wear, seize, or require mechanical maintenance
• True multi-fluid capability — one instrument design handles liquid, gas, and steam without changing the sensor body
• Wide temperature range — piezoelectric stress sensor operates from -40°C to +250°C (optional +350°C), covering saturated and superheated steam
• Low pressure loss — resistance coefficient Cd < 2.4, significantly lower than orifice plates
• Digital-ready output — 4–20 mA, pulse, RS485 outputs integrate directly with SCADA, DCS, and PLC systems
• Long-term parameter stability — instrument K-factor does not drift over time under normal operating conditions

For steam metering applications, a vortex flow meter with temperature and pressure compensation (LUGBSR-Z model) calculates mass flow and energy consumption in real time — eliminating the need for separate DP transmitters and flow computers.

Typical Applications

🔧 Steam Metering — Saturated & Superheated Steam

The Challenge: Steam distribution networks in power plants, chemical plants, and manufacturing facilities need accurate metering at each consumption point. Steam is compressible, and its density varies with both temperature and pressure — traditional DP meters require complex compensation and frequent maintenance of impulse lines.

Why This Meter: The LUGBSR-Z vortex flow meter with built-in temperature and pressure compensation measures saturated and superheated steam mass flow directly. The piezoelectric sensor withstands continuous operation at up to 250°C (350°C on request). No impulse lines. No condensate pots. No remote seals. Installation is wafer or flange type on DN15–DN300 pipes; insertion type available for DN80–DN2000 headers.

🔧 Compressed Air & Industrial Gas

The Challenge: Compressed air is one of the most expensive utilities in manufacturing — leaks and overconsumption are common but difficult to quantify without per-circuit metering. Gas flow must be measured at varying line pressures without recalibrating the meter.

Why This Meter: Vortex meters are ideal for compressed air and industrial gases (nitrogen, oxygen, CO₂, natural gas). Flow velocity range of 4–60 m/s covers typical compressed air velocities. The meter reads volumetric flow at line conditions; the LUGBSR-Z model adds pressure/temperature compensation to convert to standard volume (Nm³/h) for accurate cost allocation.

🔧 Liquid Flow — Chemical, Petroleum & Water

The Challenge: Process lines handling clean liquids — cooling water, light hydrocarbons, solvents, chemical feedstocks — need a meter that handles flow velocities from 0.4 m/s upward without the electrode limitations of electromagnetic meters.

Why This Meter: For liquids, vortex meters work on any fluid regardless of conductivity — including petroleum products and non-conductive chemicals where electromagnetic meters cannot be used. Liquid flow velocity range 0.4–7 m/s; accuracy ±1.0%.

🔧 Large-Diameter Pipes — Insertion Type

The Challenge: Inline meters on DN500+ pipes require expensive flanged fittings and process shutdowns for installation or replacement.

Why This Meter: The insertion vortex flow meter covers DN80–DN2000 with hot-tap installation capability. Accuracy ±1.5%–±2.5%; ideal for large-diameter steam headers, gas mains, and cooling water circuits where an inline flange connection is impractical.

How a Vortex Flow Meter Works

The operating principle is based on the Karman vortex street phenomenon. When a fluid flows past a bluff body (the shedder bar) inserted into the pipe, alternating vortices are shed from each side of the bluff body in a regular, repeating pattern. The frequency of vortex shedding is linearly proportional to the fluid velocity:

f = St × V / d — where f = vortex frequency, St = Strouhal number (constant for a given geometry), V = fluid velocity, d = bluff body width

A piezoelectric stress sensor embedded in the bluff body detects the alternating pressure fluctuations caused by vortex shedding. The transmitter counts these pulses, calculates flow velocity, and multiplies by the pipe cross-sectional area to produce volumetric flow rate. The Strouhal number is stable across a wide Reynolds number range — which is why vortex meter K-factor does not change with fluid density, viscosity, pressure, or temperature.

Key Advantages of the Piezoelectric Sensing Method

• Operates at high temperatures without signal degradation — piezoelectric crystals maintain output up to 250°C
• Immune to thermal drift that affects capacitive sensors in competing designs
• High sensitivity to low-amplitude vortex signals — extends the low-flow cutoff point
• Soaring’s differential pressure detection circuit adds isolation, shielding, and filtering — reducing the vibration susceptibility that affects some competing vortex designs

Can We Meet Your Requirements?

Our Capabilities & Boundaries

WHAT WE DO:

• Vortex flow measurement for gas, steam, and liquid in DN15–DN300 inline and DN80–DN2000 insertion configurations
• Steam mass flow metering with real-time temperature and pressure compensation (LUGBSR-Z)
• High-temperature applications up to 250°C standard, 350°C optional
• Integration with SCADA, DCS, and PLC via 4–20mA, RS485, or pulse output
• Battery-powered remote installation with 3.6V lithium option

WHAT WE DON’T DO:

• Slurries or abrasive fluids → Use our electromagnetic flow meter
• Non-conductive liquid at very low velocities → Consider turbine flow meter
• Custody transfer at ±0.2% → Requires Coriolis technology
• Portable / temporary measurement → Contact us for portable options

Ordering Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Get Your Custom Quote in 24 Hours

We supply vortex flow meters to process engineers, plant operators, and instrumentation distributors across 65+ countries. Whether you need a standard DN50 steam meter or a DN1000 insertion unit for a large gas header, our engineering team will review your application and respond within 24 hours.

Related Resources

• Vortex Flow Meter — Product Overview
• Electromagnetic Flow Meter
• Turbine Flow Meter
• Ultrasonic Flow Meter
• Request a Quote