Prosonic Clamp-on Ultrasonic Flowmeter Three-Traverse Installation Overview
Prosonic clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeter uses a non-intrusive measurement method, requiring no pipe cutting during installation, and is widely used for flow monitoring of water, wastewater, and various liquids. This part is the third in the installation series, focusing on the traverse (three-path) installation method.
The three-traverse installation extends the effective sound path by allowing the ultrasonic signal to reflect multiple times within the pipe, thereby improving measurement accuracy and stability under small pipe diameter or low flow rate conditions.
Applicable Scenarios and Advantages of Three-Traverse Installation
Applicable Conditions
- Metal or plastic pipes with small diameters (typically DN15~DN100)
- Occasions with low flow rates and high requirements for measurement accuracy
- Sites with limited straight pipe length where signal strength needs to be enhanced
Core Advantages
- Improved signal-to-noise ratio: multiple reflections increase the effective sound path, making the signal more stable
- Enhanced low flow rate accuracy: suitable for micro-flow measurement
- Adaptable to complex piping: reliable data can still be obtained when straight pipe sections are insufficient
Detailed Steps for Three-Traverse Installation
Step 1: Pre-Installation Preparation
- Confirm the pipe material, outer diameter, wall thickness, and lining condition, and input the parameters into the transmitter.
- Clean the installation area on the outer wall of the pipe, removing paint, rust, and oil stains to ensure good sensor coupling.
- Prepare dedicated couplant, mounting fixtures, tape measure, marker, and other tools.
Step 2: Determine Sensor Spacing
According to the installation distance calculated by the transmitter, mark the center positions of the two sensors on the same generatrix of the pipe. For three-traverse installation, the two sensors should be located on the same side of the pipe, not on opposite sides.
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Number of paths | 3 (three-traverse) |
| Sensor position | Same side of pipe, axially offset |
| Number of reflections | 2 reflections, forming 3 sound paths |
| Applicable pipe diameter | Small pipe diameters preferred |
Step 3: Install the Sensors
- Apply couplant evenly at the marked positions, avoiding air bubbles.
- Fix the upstream sensor and downstream sensor respectively on the fixture, ensuring tight contact with the pipe surface.
- Adjust the sensor angle so that the sound beam reflects along the predetermined path.
- Tighten the fixture to prevent displacement during operation.
Step 4: Commissioning and Verification
- After power-on, check the signal strength and signal-to-noise ratio, which should reach the transmitter's recommended values.
- Observe whether the flow reading is stable, and fine-tune the sensor spacing if necessary.
- Record the installation parameters for future maintenance and review.
Installation Precautions
- Ensure the pipe is full of liquid to avoid air bubbles or sediment affecting sound wave propagation.
- Three-traverse installation has high requirements for sensor alignment accuracy; dedicated positioning fixtures are recommended.
- Avoid installing sensors at welds, flanges, or deformed pipe sections.
- For high-temperature or corrosive media, select sensors with the corresponding protection rating.
Correctly performing traverse three-path installation can significantly improve the measurement performance of the Prosonic clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeter under small pipe diameter and low flow rate conditions, providing reliable data for industrial process control.