Air/Gas Flow Meter

Fluid Components International (FCI) announced that its ST100 Series thermal mass air/gas flow meter has obtained full certification from HART Foundation. The certification is for the unit's hardware and DD files, indicating full compliance with the HART communication protocol. In addition to the HART communication protocol, the flow meter is available with 4-20mA analog, frequency/pulse, alarm relays, and additional digital bus communications including Fieldbus, Profibus and Modbus. It adapts to a plant's changing needs through replacement of a plug-in card. The device can store up to five unique calibration groups to accommodate broad flow ranges, differing mixtures of the same and multiple gases, and obtains up to 1000:1 turndown. An optional, SpectraCal gas equivalency calibration method lets users select and switch between 10 common gases. Also standard is an on-board data logger with an easily accessible, removable 2-GB micro-SD memory card capable of storing 21 million readings. The flow meter features a graphical, multivariable, backlit LCD that provides comprehensive information with continuous display of all process measurements and alarm status, and the ability to interrogate for service diagnostics. Three different types of flow sensors best match user applications. The fast-response FPC-style sensor features an integral flow conditioner and protective shroud optimized for compressed air and clean gas applications. The fast-response, general purpose FP-style sensor offers a protective shroud and is the sensor used with the company’s VeriCal in-situ calibration option. For wet or dirty gases, or erratic flows, the unshrouded S-style sensor facilitates easy cleaning and provides a smoothed response. The triple-variable thermal flow meter is comprised of two core model families: ST and STP. ST meters measure both mass flow and temperature, and the STP family adds a third parameter, pressure. Both families include single-point and dual-element models as configurations outfitted with the company’s in-situ calibration option, VeriCal. The flow meter can be calibrated to measure virtually any process gas, including wet gas, mixed gases and dirty gases. The basic insertion style air/gas meter features a thermal flow sensing element that measures flow from 0.07 to 305 NMPS with accuracy of ±0.75% of reading, ±0.5% of full scale. Designed for rugged industrial processes and plants, the flow meters include service up to 454ºC and are available with both integral and remote (up to 300m) electronics versions. They are agency approved for hazardous environments, including the entire instrument, the transmitter and the rugged, IP67 rated enclosure. Instrument approvals (submitted and pending) in addition to FM and FMc include ATEX and IECEx: Zone 1, II 2 GD Ex d IIC T4.