Straight Tube Meter solves alternative fuel problem

2003-Apr-10. A silicone manufacturer has made significant savings by installing KROHNE straight tube mass flowmeters to regulate the oil used as an occasional alternative fuel for its boilers.

The New York-based manufacturer normally uses gas for its three newest boilers, but the gas company can request them to switch to oil during periods of peak demand.

The silicone company needed to monitor the oil supply with a high degree of accuracy, but faced problems because over the long periods when were not used, the oil solidified in the flowmeter tubes supplied by a competitor. The tubes proved difficult to drain and virtually impossible to steam clean, leaving no option but to replace the meters and consign the old ones to the scrap heap.

KROHNE's Mass Flowmeters have provided an efficient and extremely cost effective solution, which removes the need to continually replace the massmeters. Positioned at a vertical axis, the meter is able to drain automatically when oil is not required, and if the metering tube did become plugged, they were easily 'rodded out'. In the six years since the meters were installed, the meters have not required removal for cleaning, nor has meter accuracy or reliability shifted.

As a result, the KROHNE has saved the silicone company the equivalent cost of 18 mass meters for their 3 boilers over 6 years. In addition, eliminating the flowmeter blockages has also significantly reduced downtime and maintenance costs, and the need for keeping a stock of spare meters for use in emergencies has been completely eliminated.

Key words: silicone, Coriolis, mass flow meter, oil measuring


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