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The thermal flow measuring principle

For direct mass measurement of industrial gases, compressed air and aqueous fluids

Video Multiple industries 03.12.2024

Many people are made uncomfortably cold by just a small draft. The thermal flow measuring principle is based on the fact that heat is drawn from a heated body when a fluid flows past.

A thermal flowmeter contains two PT100 temperature sensors for this purpose. One sensor measures the current fluid temperature as a reference. The second sensor is heated and has a constant temperature differential relative to the first sensor at “zero flow.” As soon as the fluid begins to flow in the measuring tube, the heated temperature sensor cools off due to the fluid flowing past – the higher the flow velocity, the greater the cooling effect. The electric current required to maintain the temperature differential is thus a direct measure of mass flow.

Watch the video to learn how the thermal flow measuring principle works and read more about it here!

Advantages of thermal flowmeters at a glance

  • Multivariable – direct measurement and display of mass flow and fluid temperature
  • No pressure or temperature compensation required
  • High turndown (max. up to 1000:1)
  • Excellent low-end sensitivity
  • Quick reaction to fluctuations in flow
  • Negligible pressure loss
  • Maintenance-free, no moving parts

Our thermal flowmeters

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