Case Analysis of MT221 Thermal Mass Flow Meter for Compressed Air Measurement

Compressed air, as a critical power and process medium in industrial production, requires accurate flow measurement to ensure system energy efficiency and production stability. The client seeks a flow measurement solution that provides high accuracy, wide rangeability, low maintenance costs, and supports real-time remote monitoring for automated control under varying operating conditions.

Aplicação:

Monitoring Compressed Air Flow in an Industrial Production System

Requisitos:

  • Wide range measurement from low to high flow
  • High accuracy and cost-effective

Solução:

MT221B Insertion-type Thermal Mass Flow Meter

Aplicação

  • The client measures compressed air flow in a DN50 pipeline with the following parameters:
  • Flow range: 10 – 100 Nm³/h
  • Medium temperature: approximately 40℃
  • Operating pressure: 0.8 MPa
  • Requirement: Real-time remote monitoring of flow data to enable automated process control

Desafios

  • Wide rangeability: Compressed air flow varies significantly from low startup flow to high load, requiring a flow meter with a wide turndown ratio to accommodate multiple operating conditions.
  • Limited budget: The client is cost-sensitive and seeks a solution that balances accuracy, stability, and cost-effectiveness.
  • Easy maintenance: The system operates in a harsh environment prone to dust and wear, demanding durable and easy-to-maintain instruments.
  • Digital communication needs: The flow meter must support digital communication protocols such as Modbus RTU for seamless integration with supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) or PLC systems to enable remote data acquisition.

Solution Provided by Metlan — MT221B Thermal Mass Flow Meter

Key Specifications:
  1. Measurement range: 0 – 120 Nm/s, with turndown ratio up to 1:2500
  2. Accuracy: ±1.5%
  3. Applicable pipe size: DN20 ~ 250
  4. Insertion length: 250 mm
  5. Medium temperature range: -40℃ ~ 150℃
  6. Maximum allowable pressure: 1.6 MPa
  7. Output signals: Modbus RTU, 4-20mA, pulse output
  8. Process connection: G1/2″ (ISO 228-1)
  9. Display: 1.5-inch IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen for easy local operation
  10. Protection rating: IP65, suitable for harsh industrial environments
  11. Power supply: 24 VDC
  12. Accessories: Includes ball valve and power module for easy installation and maintenance

Vantagens:

  • High-precision sensor chip design
    Uses advanced chip-based sensors avoiding traditional two-probe sensors with thermal adhesive degradation issues, achieving accuracy up to ±1%.
High-precision sensor chip design
  • Rácio de abertura amplo
    Turndown ratio up to 1:2500, covering a broad range of compressed air flow conditions from low to high velocity.
  • Insertion design
    Supports online installation and removal; ball valve accessory facilitates maintenance without shutdown.
  • Digital communication interface
    Supports Modbus RTU and other industrial protocols for seamless integration with DCS/PLC systems, enabling real-time remote monitoring and data acquisition.
  • Touchscreen display
    Allows intuitive onsite viewing of flow data and parameters, simplifying operation.
  • OEM support
    Flexible customization options to meet specific client requirements.