Product Overview: What Is the 93TA1 Ultrasonic Flowmeter?
In the chemical and process industries, flow measurement directly affects production safety, process optimization, and cost control. Flow deviations not only cause product quality fluctuations but may also lead to safety accidents and economic losses.
The 93TA1 ultrasonic flowmeter corresponds to the Proline Prosonic Flow 93P ultrasonic flow measurement system, designed specifically for chemical and process applications. It is known for non-contact measurement, a wide turndown ratio, and rich communication interfaces, making it a key evaluation target for engineering technical personnel and procurement staff.
Working Principle: How Does the Transit-Time Method Measure Flow?
Difference in Downstream and Upstream Propagation Time
The system is based on the transit-time method: sound waves propagate faster downstream than upstream in a fluid. Two sensors alternately transmit and receive ultrasonic waves, producing a measurable difference in travel time.
The travel time difference is proportional to the fluid flow velocity. Combined with the pipe cross-sectional area, the instrument can calculate the volumetric flow rate, similar to estimating river flow from river velocity and cross-sectional area.
Added Value of Sound Velocity Measurement
The system can also measure the propagation speed of sound waves in the fluid, i.e., the sound velocity. This parameter can be used to distinguish fluid types, determine product purity, or identify medium quality, providing an additional diagnostic dimension for chemical processes.
Core Functions: Measured Variables and Dual-Path Design
Measured Variables and Range
- Main measured variable: flow velocity, proportional to the travel time difference of the acoustic signal.
- Typical measuring range: v = 0 - 15 m/s (0 - 50 ft/s).
- Turndown ratio: greater than 150 : 1, suitable for conditions with large flow fluctuations.
- Output calculation: based on flow velocity and pipe cross-sectional area, accurately calculates volumetric flow rate.
Dual-Channel and Dual-Path Measurement
- Dual-channel measurement: used for flow monitoring at two independent measuring points, similar to setting up monitoring stations at different locations along a river. It can simultaneously monitor different pipes or different sections of the same pipe.
- Dual-path measurement: used for redundant flow measurement at a single measuring point. If one acoustic path is disturbed or fails, the other can still work, improving continuity and reliability.
- Separate processing and display: parameters such as flow velocity and volumetric flow rate of the two measuring channels can be displayed independently, facilitating comparative analysis and troubleshooting.
Performance Advantages: Why Is It Suitable for Chemical and Process Applications?
Non-Contact Precision Measurement
The 93TA1 uses non-contact measurement. The sensors are installed outside the pipe and do not come into direct contact with the fluid, making it an ideal solution for flow measurement of pure liquids or lightly contaminated liquids.
This method is not affected by process pressure or medium conductivity. It can still stably output flow data under high-pressure or varying-conductivity conditions, reducing the wear and corrosion risks of traditional contact-type instruments.
Ease of Installation and Maintenance
- Clamp-on installation: installed outside the pipe without interrupting process operations, suitable for continuous production scenarios.
- Menu-guided: simple and safe menu-guided sensor installation reduces dependence on operator experience.
- Rugged construction: sensors and industrial mounting components have a rugged structure, capable of withstanding harsh environments such as high temperature, high pressure, and strong corrosion, ensuring long-term system integrity.
- Automatic frequency scanning: automatically optimizes the installation process and measuring frequency, improving flowmeter measurement performance.
Data Transmission and Remote Commissioning
The instrument is equipped with communication interfaces such as HART, PROFIBUS DP/PA, and FOUNDATION Fieldbus (FF), facilitating integration with distributed control systems (DCS) for fast and accurate data transmission.
With Endress+Hauser's FieldCare operating software, users can remotely commission the flowmeter. For large chemical enterprises with widely distributed sites, this can significantly improve maintenance efficiency and reduce travel costs.
Application Scenarios: Which Industries and Media Are Covered?
- Chemical industry: flow measurement of chemical reagents, solvents, liquid hydrocarbons, etc., especially suitable for precise control of raw material flow in plastics production.
- Petrochemical industry: flow monitoring of crude oil, refined products, and intermediate products, facilitating production and transportation planning.
- Water treatment industry: flow measurement in municipal water supply and industrial wastewater treatment, suitable for clean water and wastewater containing impurities.
- Corrosive/hazardous fluids: under strong acid and strong alkali conditions such as electroplating, non-contact measurement avoids corrosion, improving reliability and equipment life.
Detailed Technical Specifications
Input/Output Signals and Communication
| Item | Key Parameters |
|---|---|
| Measured variables and range | Flow velocity v = 0 - 15 m/s (0 - 50 ft/s), turndown ratio > 150 : 1 |
| Status input (auxiliary input) | U = 3 - 30 V DC, Ri = 5 kΩ, electrically isolated; can be set for totalizer reset, measured value suppression, fault message reset |
| Current output | Active/passive selectable; active 0/4 - 20 mA, RL < 700 Ω (HART: RL ≥ 250 Ω); passive 4 - 20 mA, max. 30 V DC, Ri ≤ 150 Ω; time constant 0.01 - 100 s |
| Pulse/frequency output | Active/passive selectable; frequency output 2 - 10,000 Hz (fmax = 12,500 Hz), 2 - 5,000 Hz in EEx ia hazardous areas; pulse width adjustable 0.05 - 2000 ms |
| PROFIBUS DP | EN 50170 Volume 2, Profile 3.0, 9.6 KBaud - 12 MBaud, NRZ code; 8 × AI, 3 × totalizer modules |
| PROFIBUS PA | EN 50170 Volume 2, IEC 61158 - 2 (MBP), 31.25 kBit/s, 11 mA, FDE = 0 mA, Manchester II code |
| FOUNDATION Fieldbus (FF) | IEC 61158 - 2, 31.25 kBit/s, 12 mA, FDE = 0 mA, Manchester II code; 8 × AI, 1 × DO, 1 × PID, supports LAS |
| Switch output | Relay output, NC/NO selectable; max. 30 V / 0.5 A AC; 60 V / 0.1 A DC, electrically isolated; can be set for fault message, flow direction, limit value |
Power Supply and Cable Connection
| Item | Parameters |
|---|---|
| Transmitter power supply (HART) | 85 - 260 V AC, 45 - 65 Hz; 20 - 55 V AC, 45 - 65 Hz; 16 - 62 V DC |
| Transmitter power supply (PROFIBUS DP/PA, FF) | 9 - 32 V DC |
| Sensor power supply | Powered by the transmitter, simplifying wiring and power management |
| Power supply/signal cable entry | M20 × 1.5 cable gland, suitable for 8 - 12 mm or 6 - 12 mm cables; optional ½"NPT, G ½" threads |
| Sensor/transmitter connecting cable | Each entry can connect 1 × ∅ 8 mm or 2 × ∅ 4 mm; equipped with M20 × 1.5, ½"NPT, G ½" threaded entries |
Selection and Procurement Recommendations
- Confirm medium and pipe diameter: prioritize confirming the liquid type, whether it contains particles or bubbles, and the pipe material and diameter.
- Confirm communication protocol: select HART, PROFIBUS DP/PA, or FF interface according to the DCS or PLC system.
- Confirm explosion protection and power supply: for hazardous areas, pay attention to frequency limits in EEx ia hazardous locations and verify the on-site power supply voltage.
- Confirm installation space: clamp-on external installation requires reserved space for sensor installation and cable access.
Summary: The 93TA1 ultrasonic flowmeter (Proline Prosonic Flow 93P) provides a reliable flow measurement solution for chemical, petrochemical, water treatment, and corrosive fluid applications through transit-time measurement, non-contact installation, dual-channel/dual-path redundancy, and rich bus interfaces.