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It is important to know how much air is consumed in a process. Air is a clean medium and does not cause pollution when blown into the environment, but the cost of compressed air is relatively high. Therefore it is important to have as less leakage as possible in the compressed air piping network! And therefor the compressor has to produce less air and this saves energy!
In the first place by inspecting all couplings, valves, cylinders, etc. with a special ultrasonic meter. This time-consuming and expensive method can be carried out by an (external) company that detects the leaks. But the good news is that a shorter route is possible. Namely by installing a flow sensor. In these Industrial Internet of Things (Industrie 4.0) days, we want to be able to monitor everything at any time in order to detect and remedy faults or air leaks as quickly as possible.
By placing a flow sensor, for example close to the air consumer, it is possible to monitor whether the air consumption changes over time. An increased flow can indicate a leakage in the pipe system.
The Festo flow sensors of the SFAH series are units that are mounted in the air duct. Operation is based on the principle of measuring the temperature difference. Two temperature sensors mounted at a fixed distance from each other in the unit. In the SFAG flow sensor there is a heating element with the two temperature sensors, one in front of the heating element and one after.
The heating element has a constant electrical power and is cooled down by the air flowing past it. The two sensors now measure the difference in temperature before the heating element and after the heating element and that difference is converted into a measured value. The more flow, the smaller the temperature difference.
The result of the measurement is converted to a usable signal, 0...10V, 4...20mA or with an IO-link which can be connected to the PLC to take actions from the obtained information.
A vortex flow meter works according to the principle of "Kármán vortex street" as shown schematically. This principle works as follows. In the airflow there is a resistor is mounted, e.g. a shaft which is also called "shredder bar" or "bluff bar". This causes vortexes in the airflow that change with a certain frequency. These frequency is proportional to the flow that is hindered. Further on in this tube, an ultrasonic signal is emitted by means of a transmitter. The receiver that measures the frequency and converts this into a value for the flow. Because a relatively small "shredder bar" or "bluff bar" is used in the airflow, which this gives a very low pressure drop over the flow meter. It also gives a high sensitivity measurement at low flow rates.
Below are the various types, the measuring range and a link to the technical documentation for further choices.
Of course, our Industrial Automation department can advise you further in the choice of the right sensor.
Click here for more information about STFE
Click here for more information about SFAH
Click here for more information about SFAW
Click here for more information about SFAB
The individual SFAM-… -T comes with an inlet tube to stabilize the air flow.
The SFAM-… -M can be built together in the service unit MS-6 or MS-9
Click here for more information about SFAM
More information about flow sensors? Please contact itsme.
Saving energy with a SFAH flow sensor from Festo
Why a flow sensor?
It is important to know how much air is consumed in a process. Air is a clean medium and does not cause pollution when blown into the environment, but the cost of compressed air is relatively high. Therefore it is important to have as less leakage as possible in the compressed air piping network! And therefor the compressor has to produce less air and this saves energy!
How could you measure leaks?
In the first place by inspecting all couplings, valves, cylinders, etc. with a special ultrasonic meter. This time-consuming and expensive method can be carried out by an (external) company that detects the leaks. But the good news is that a shorter route is possible. Namely by installing a flow sensor. In these Industrial Internet of Things (Industrie 4.0) days, we want to be able to monitor everything at any time in order to detect and remedy faults or air leaks as quickly as possible.By placing a flow sensor, for example close to the air consumer, it is possible to monitor whether the air consumption changes over time. An increased flow can indicate a leakage in the pipe system.
How a flow sensor works
The Festo flow sensors of the SFAH series are units that are mounted in the air duct. Operation is based on the principle of measuring the temperature difference. Two temperature sensors mounted at a fixed distance from each other in the unit. In the SFAG flow sensor there is a heating element with the two temperature sensors, one in front of the heating element and one after.The heating element has a constant electrical power and is cooled down by the air flowing past it. The two sensors now measure the difference in temperature before the heating element and after the heating element and that difference is converted into a measured value. The more flow, the smaller the temperature difference.
The result of the measurement is converted to a usable signal, 0...10V, 4...20mA or with an IO-link which can be connected to the PLC to take actions from the obtained information.
The vortex principle.
A vortex flow meter works according to the principle of "Kármán vortex street" as shown schematically. This principle works as follows. In the airflow there is a resistor is mounted, e.g. a shaft which is also called "shredder bar" or "bluff bar". This causes vortexes in the airflow that change with a certain frequency. These frequency is proportional to the flow that is hindered. Further on in this tube, an ultrasonic signal is emitted by means of a transmitter. The receiver that measures the frequency and converts this into a value for the flow. Because a relatively small "shredder bar" or "bluff bar" is used in the airflow, which this gives a very low pressure drop over the flow meter. It also gives a high sensitivity measurement at low flow rates.Overview flow sensors from Festo.
When selecting the flow sensor, it is important to know what flow range is required, accuracy and installation location. The type of signal, digital or analogue, is also a choice to be made.Below are the various types, the measuring range and a link to the technical documentation for further choices.
Of course, our Industrial Automation department can advise you further in the choice of the right sensor.
| Type SFTE | Type SFAH |
|
|
Click here for more information about STFE
Click here for more information about SFAH
| Type SFAW | Type SFAB |
|
|
Click here for more information about SFAW
Click here for more information about SFAB
The individual SFAM-… -T comes with an inlet tube to stabilize the air flow.
The SFAM-… -M can be built together in the service unit MS-6 or MS-9
| Type SFAM-62 (Can be mounted with MS-6 serie) | Type SFAM-90 (Can be mounted with MS-9 serie) |
|
|
Click here for more information about SFAM
More information about flow sensors? Please contact itsme.
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