Accuracy is crucial in manufacturing processes to ensure adequate control of gases and liquids. Inconsistent flows not only affect the quality of products but also impact the company’s profitability. Therefore, failure to calibrate flow meters can negatively impact the plant’s performance. Conversely, frequent calibration translates to higher operational costs without measurable benefits. To avoid falling into these pitfalls, it is crucial to implement gas flow meter calibration best practices. Consider these ways to determine when to calibrate your flow meters.
What is Flow Meter Calibration?
Flow meter calibration is the process where a standard measurement scale is used to compare the pre-set scale of a flow meter. This ensures the measurement is adjusted to conform to standards. Depending on the application, calibration is resettable to give the required output. This could be resetting measuring tools to indicate the amount of fluid flowing through a pipe in a certain period. Air flow meter calibration or recalibration can measure the amount of gas flowing through a pipe or vessel.
Determining When to Calibrate Flow Meters:
There are a few factors to consider when deciding how often to calibrate flow meters. The type of meter, the operating environment, and the required level of accuracy will all play a role in how often calibration is necessary. In general, however, most flow meters should be calibrated as per methods outlined below.
Manufacturer-Recommended Calibration Interval
When sourcing flow meters, manufacturers provide specifications in the operation manual. These specifications determine the frequency of calibrating these tools. Therefore, you should undertake these measurement applications at different intervals. They could either be industry-defined, frequent, or stringent.
When Undertaking a Critical Measuring Project
Gas flow meter calibration is required when a plant requires highly accurate measurements. First, decide the instruments for testing and ensure they are within specifications before use. Then, calibrate these instruments and keep them out of service, ensuring their eligibility for use. Calibrating by considering the criticality of the measuring project ensures you make accurate decisions from the measuring results. This also results in high confidence, and the standards used remain tolerant.
After Critical Measuring Projects
After a critical measuring project, you need to calibrate your flow meters again. After testing, send the equipment for calibration to determine whether the instruments provide accurate and reliable results. For example, in pharmaceutical companies, calibration is vital before and after measuring projects. It ensures that the reference shows whether intolerant conditions happened before, during, or after the measuring projects.
Variations in Heat and Volume
Heat and volume variations could be evidence of leakages and irregularities that may compromise the quality of gas and liquids. Calibration can reset the optimal flow standards by regularly measuring everything the flow meter measures. During the testing process, temperature and volume variations mustn’t be visible.
When to Calibrate Flow Meters
Setting up a calibration plan requires assistance from calibration labs in India to identify the optimal calibration frequency. Calibration frequency will be determined by the criticality, maximum acceptable tolerance, and nature of the product being measured. In addition, normal usage patterns, the severity of process impacts, and clean-in-place (CIP) consideration may also play a part in the calibration frequency. For example, in some setups, the flow meter is only accessible during an entire process shutdown. And in others, you can adjust a flow meter on site.
Conclusion
Before conducting any calibration or recalibration procedures, communicate with your manufacturer or service provider. There are various parameters to determine the levels of accuracy needed and the optimal flow amount. Failure to calibrate your equipment may force you to get rid of it or upgrade them together.