Flow Meters for Water, Liquids and Steam
Optimizing Energy Use Through Precise Liquid and Steam Flow Measurement
When it comes to energy efficiency and consumption measurements, it’s not just compressed air and gases that transport energy around a factory or plant. Other media, such as liquids and steam, are also typically used in many production processes and applications. Therefore, it is important to measure their consumption as well as with flowmeters with high accuracy.
Typical water and liquid measurements in an industrial application are water flow rate measurements, where water is often used to cool machinery or for heating systems. Another common form of energy used in industrial processes is steam. Hot water vapor can easily transport high energy to the point of use.
SUTO iTEC offers accurate and reliable water, liquid and vapor measurement technology for any industrial application.
SUTO iTEC Flow Meters at a Glance
Our flowmeters for liquids and steam are designed for precise and reliable measurements even under demanding conditions.
Why Measure Liquids and Steam?
Reliable flow measurement of liquids and steam plays a key role in optimizing industrial processes and improving the efficient use of energy and resources.
Steam flow meters help operators monitor steam consumption per machine, detect leaks throughout the system, and identify peak demand. This ensures stable and efficient system performance without overload. SUTO iTEC steam flow meters integrate pressure and temperature measurement, eliminating the need for external compensation.
Ultrasonic water flow meters are commonly used to monitor cooling, lubrication, or other critical processes in industrial plants. These measurements are also essential for tracking energy recovery from heat exchangers, especially in compressor systems.
Applications and Industries
SUTO iTEC flow meters are used across a wide range of industrial sectors:
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Heating and cooling systems
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Process cooling and lubrication
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Food and pharmaceutical industry
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Chemical industry
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Energy and utility companies
Ultrasonic Water Flow Meters
Clamp-on ultrasonic water flow meters from SUTO iTEC are suitable for industrial, building services and utility applications. The models S461 Smart Ultrasonic Flow Meter (clamp-on) and S462 Compact Ultrasonic Flow Meter (clamp-on)offer quick and easy installation without opening the pipe.
Common use cases:
- Monitoring cooling water loops
- Flow control in HVAC systems
- Process water measurement
- Utility water supply monitoring
Comparison of the S461 and S462 Clamp-on Ultrasonic Flow Meters
|
Feature |
S461 |
S462 |
|---|---|---|
|
Measuring principle |
Clamp-on ultrasound (transit time) for water and other liquids |
Clamp-on ultrasound for water and other liquids |
|
Pipe size range |
DN 40 to DN 1200 |
DN 10 to DN 40 |
|
Installation |
Non-invasive, on the outside of the pipe, no process interruption |
Compact unit, quick and easy to install |
|
Interfaces |
Modbus RTU (standard), optional Modbus TCP, 4-20 mA, pulse output, alarm output |
Modbus RTU, analog output |
|
Data logger |
Integrated (up to 8 million data records) |
Consumption values can be called up locally via display |
|
App connection |
Yes, configuration and readout via SUTO app |
No |
|
Typical applications |
Cooling and process water in large pipelines, energy auditing |
Liquid monitoring in smaller pipes, HVAC, buildings, machine-related applications |
|
Special features |
Wide range of applications, full connectivity, app use |
Particularly compact, tool-free installation possible |
|
Restrictions |
Larger design, not suitable for small pipe diameters |
Limited pipe size range, no app connection, no external data logger |
Installing an Ultrasonic Water Flow Meter
SUTO iTEC ultrasonic water flow meters are non-invasive and do not require any special process connections. Installation is performed from the outside of the pipe. For stainless steel, cleaning the pipe surface is sufficient. For painted pipes, the paint must be removed to ensure accurate signal transmission. Coupling gel is applied, and the sensor is fixed using the included clamp bracket.
After selecting pipe material, diameter and wall thickness, the ultrasonic water flow meter is ready to use. For a full setup guide, see the S462 installation video.
Ultrasonic Flow Meters for Other Liquids
The S461 and S462 ultrasonic water flow meters are equally suitable for other types of liquids. Since the sensors are installed externally and do not come into contact with the medium, they are ideal for clean, aggressive or hygienic liquids. Installation is quick, safe, and does not require shutting down the system.
Typical applications for flow measurement of liquids:
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Chemical and solvent distribution systems
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Oils and heat transfer fluids in energy systems
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Glycol mixtures in heating and cooling circuits
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Process fluids and cleaning agents in food and pharma production
The S461 is designed for larger pipe sizes and permanent installations, offering app connectivity, integrated data logging and multiple interfaces. The S462 is ideal for compact installations with smaller diameters, particularly where fast deployment is required.
If you are already familiar with these models as ultrasonic water flow meters, the same benefits apply when measuring other process liquids.
Flow Meter for Steam
For steam, the S435 Vortex flow meter for steam offers a robust and compact solution. It captures both pressure and temperature internally and calculates the mass flow in real time.
Fields of application:
- Monitoring steam usage in production lines
- Steam boiler and generator control
- Process steam in cleaning, sterilization, or heating
- Leak detection and energy management in steam networks
This flow meter is designed to integrate directly into energy management systems and control infrastructures.
Measurement Technologies and Sensor Principles
Clamp-On Ultrasonic Water Flow Meters
The S461 and S462 use the transit-time ultrasonic principle. The sensors are mounted outside the pipe, allowing non-invasive flow measurement without interrupting the process. This is ideal for retrofitting in existing installations.
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No process interruption
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No contact with the medium
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Suitable for pipe sizes from DN40 to DN1200
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Bidirectional flow measurement
Vortex Flow Sensors for Steam
The S435 vortex flow meter uses the proven vortex principle to measure saturated and superheated steam. It integrates pressure and temperature sensors for direct mass flow measurement.
- Robust design for industrial steam monitoring
- Integrated pressure and temperature compensation
- Flange or weld-in mounting
- Easy integration into control systems
Benefits and Selection Guidance
Which sensor for which medium
Clamp-on ultrasonic sensors such as the S461 and S462 are ideal for clean liquids. The S435 vortex sensor is the right choice for steam applications with higher pressure and temperature.
Energy efficiency and transparency
Precise flow measurement supports process optimization and energy reporting. Data can be used for internal audits or ISO 50001 documentation.
System integration
All flow meters offer standard outputs such as Modbus, analog or SDI for easy integration into SCADA, PLC or cloud platforms.
Advantages of non-invasive measurement
- No downtime during installation
- No contact with the process medium
- Low maintenance and long service life
- Clean and contamination-free
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How does a clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter work?
The sensors send ultrasonic signals through the pipe. The flow velocity is calculated from the difference in transit time.
Can I install the sensor retrospectively?
Yes, it is mounted on the outside of the pipe without interfering with the system. Ideal for retrofitting.
Which media can be measured?
Water, oils, chemicals, glycol mixtures and many other liquids as well as steam.
Is there an app for evaluation?
Yes, the SUTO app can be used to set up sensors, read out data and display it live.
How accurate are the measurements?
The accuracy is up to ±1 percent of the measured value. Internal compensation ensures stable results.
Personal advice
Would you like more information about products and applications?
Or do you need personal advice? We will be happy to help you!
