Introduction
Page 8
August 2019
DPP-UM-00256-EN-03
INTOODUCTION
General
The DFX ultrasonic flow meter is designed to measure volumetric flow of solids-bearing or aerated liquid within a closed
conduit Transducers are available as non-contacting (DT9) or insertion probe (DP7) types DT9 non-contacting transducers
are strapped to the outside of a pipe and are suitable for most installations where the pipe material supports the transmission
of ultrasound Some pipe materials, such as concrete pressure pipe and some plastic lined pipes do not allow ultrasound to
penetrate to the liquid inside For these applications, use the DP7 insertion probe
The flow meter operates by transmitting an ultrasonic sound from a transmitting transducer through the pipe wall or from
the probe tip into the moving liquid The sound is reflected by sonic reflectors suspended in the liquid and recorded by the
receiving transducer If the sonic reflectors are moving within the sound transmission path, sound waves are reflected at a
frequency shifted (Doppler frequency) from the transmitted frequency The shift in frequency is directly related to the speed
of the moving particle or bubble This shift in frequency is interpreted by the instrument and converted to various user
defined measuring units
The criteria for a good Doppler reflector are:
• The scattering material must have a sonic impedance (sound speed difference) at least 10% different from the fluid
• There must be some particles large enough to cause longitudinal reflection—particles larger than 35 micron
• For a given pipe size, the longitudinal reflection must have sufficient energy to overcome the Rayleigh (energy wasting)
scattering caused by smaller particles
• The reflecting material must travel at the same velocity as the fluid for good accuracy
Application Versatility
The DFX flow meter can be successfully applied on a wide range of metering applications The easy-to-program transmitter
allows the standard product to be used on pipe sizes ranging from 1…120 in (25…3050 mm) pipe ID With the small pipe
transducer option, the pipe size range is 0 25…1 in (6…25 mm) A variety of liquid applications can be accommodated:
• Sewage
• River water
• Plant effluent
• Mining slurries
• Sludge
• Others
Because the transducers are non-contacting and have no moving parts, the flow meter is not affected by system pressure,
fouling or wear Standard transducers are rated to a pipe surface temperature of 250° F (121° C)