Available since the 1970s, wedge flowmeters typically position a wedge-shaped piece of metal in the middle of a pipe spool, where it restricts flows and causes pressure changes that can be measured. This is useful because wedge flowmeters can handle harsh materials that regular differential pressure (DP) flowmeters have difficulty measuring. However, the tradeoff has been that wedge flowmeters and seals require specialized support, so they’re usually implemented as individualized and expensive projects.
“We’ve been able to support customers dealing with these challenging applications with customized solutions, but now we can support them with a standard, easy-to-use solution,” says David Wright, DP flow product manager at Emerson. “We have more interest in refinery safety systems, CO2 injection for carbon capture, mining for lithium or precious metals, and all these processes require a more robust instrument than we’ve been able to offer in the past.”
To resolve these longstanding problems with traditional wedge flowmeters, Emerson is introducing its Rosemount 9195 Wedge Primary Element DP flowmeters. They consist of:
- A fully assembled flowmeter for accurate measurement of difficult or erosive fluids, even in very low Reynolds number situations;
- Preconfigured Rosemount remote-seal assemblies that allow for plug-and-play solutions in abrasive, high-temperature, cold environments and remote-mount applications;
- Wedge-shaped element based on the ISO 5167-6 standard that has no critical sharp edges, allowing it to withstand abrasive applications and enhance wear resistance; and
- Various connection styles for installation flexibility.
“Our remote-seal assembly packages are designed for specific applications based on diaphragm thickness, fill fluid, diaphragm material, capillary length and other factors,” explains Wright. “Previously, individual wedge flowmeters had to be specifically configured to serve in different abrasive situations, temperatures, etc. Now, Rosemount 9195’s five remote-seal packages can combine to address those needs.” These five remote-seal packages are:
- Standard—built for general-purpose applications found in water and wastewater or pulp and paper.
- Abrasive—designed to handle entrained solids in slurries that can erode normal impulse piping. This package is effective in mining and metal-recycling applications.
- Ultra-high temperature—uses a remote seal design for temperatures up to 770 °F (410 °C). This package is effective in industries such as refining or asphalt production, where viscous and abrasive fluids run at high temperatures.
- Cold environment—suitable for applications where ambient or process temperatures fall below 0 °F (-18 °C). Outdoor pipelines in colder regions can benefit from its response time.
- Remote mount—is for applications where spacing is limited. It provides flexible mounting configurations in plants, while maintaining acceptable time responses.
“For example, if a user reports they’re processing a mining slurry, this would trigger an abrasive package with a thicker diaphragm and material that would be the most appropriate,” adds Wright. “This also allows Emerson to serve as a much-needed one-stop-shop for solutions and support, which also makes ordering quicker and easier, too.”
When paired with a Rosemount DP transmitter, Rosemount 9195 achieves ideal flow measurement with other advanced functions, such as:
- Advanced diagnostics that predict and prevent abnormal process conditions;
- 100% wireless, battery-operated flow solutions with long communication ranges;
- Ultra for Flow measures for percent-of-reading performance over a 14:1 flow turndown;
- 15-year stability and 15-year warranty with 3051S; and
- vailable with 4-20 mA Modbus, 4-20 mA HART, WirelessHART and Foundation Fieldbus protocols.
For more details, visit www.emerson.com/rosemount-wedge
