Vortex Flow Meters
Steam, Gas & Liquid Flow Meter Series
Accuracy of ±0.5% VRd
Temperature service up to 500 °C
Turndown ratio of 1:70
- Line sizes DN15 to DN600
- Flange ratings PN16 to PN160 (ANSI 150 to 2500 LB)
- 10 models on the LUGB Series
The LUGB Vortex Flow Meter family covers steam, dry gas, and low-viscosity liquid service across DN15 to DN600 pipe sizes. The vortex-shedding principle off a bluff body delivers ±0.5 % VRd accuracy across a 1:70 turndown on gas and steam (1:30 on liquid), with built-in temperature and pressure compensation outputting mass flow directly in kg/h.
Eleven models cover saturated and superheated steam, natural gas, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, compressed air, and liquid service (process water, cooling, glycol, and thermal oil). The wafer (LUGB-W) sandwich-mount form factor saves face-to-face length on tight skids, and the high-temperature build extends the service ceiling to 500 °C with 316L or Hastelloy C wetted parts. CNEX Ex d IIC T6 Gb hazardous-area protection ships on every order. Lead time stays 5–7 business days from the factory.
Vortex flow meter models
Eleven models on the LUGB Series. Click through for spec, configurator, and pricing.
High-Temperature Vortex
Superheated steam, hot-gas, and hot-oil service up to 500 °C. T2/T3/T4 build codes lock the temperature ceiling at the factory.
View configuration →Flanged Vortex
The standard LUGB build for steam, gas, and low-viscosity liquid service across the full DN range with built-in T+P compensation.
View configuration →Wafer Vortex
The compact LUGB-W build sandwiched between two flanges. Saves install length on tight skids at 20–30 % lower list price than flanged.
View configuration →Insertion (Hot-Tap)
Hot-tap installation through a 1-1/2″ isolation valve on lines DN80 and larger. Capital cost one-sixth of in-line on DN600+ pipes.
View configuration →Liquid Vortex
Process water, cooling, glycol, and thermal-oil service. Handles non-conductive liquids that electromagnetic meters cannot measure.
View configuration →Saturated Steam
Saturated steam mass flow on plant header and branch lines. Built-in T+P referenced to the built-in T+P compensation saturation curve.
View configuration →Superheated Steam
Superheated steam from boiler outlets to mid-temperature distribution headers. Above 350 °C, see the High-Temperature build.
View configuration →Steam Vortex (Combined)
Combined saturated and superheated steam build for plants running both regimes on shared headers.
View configuration →Natural Gas Vortex
Natural gas on factory inlets, M&R stations, and CHP feed lines. Built-in T+P with on-board AGA-style compressibility.
View configuration →Nitrogen Vortex
Dry industrial nitrogen on inerting headers, blanket-gas feeds, and N₂ purge service. CNEX Ex d available.
View configuration →Compressed Air Vortex
Plant compressed-air mains and leak-attribution loops. Wide turndown catches off-shift idle drift.
View configuration →How vortex flow meters work
A vortex flow meter measures volumetric flow by counting Karman vortices shed off a bluff body placed in the pipe. The vortex shedding frequency is proportional to flow velocity through a fixed K-factor, calibrated for the bluff body geometry. A piezoceramic sensor downstream of the bluff body picks up the alternating pressure fluctuation as each vortex passes, and the on-board electronics convert frequency to volumetric flow rate.
Built-in T+P compensation on the LUGB Series adds an integrated Pt1000 RTD and a pressure transducer feeding the on-board flow computer. The compensated output is mass flow in kg/h on the 4-20 mA loop, with no external multivariable transmitter and no flow-computer correction script. The LUGB-VRd version adds anti-seismic dampening that holds the ±0.5 % accuracy at 1:70 turndown even within 5 m of pumps and turbines.
When to specify vortex
Choose vortex when the medium and operating range match the table below. For wet, low-density, or low-velocity service, see the alternative meter types.
| Service | Vortex (LUGB) | Alternative meter type |
|---|---|---|
| Saturated & superheated steam | Standard pick | — |
| Dry pipeline gas (NG, N₂, O₂) | Standard pick ≤ 6.3 MPa | Coriolis above 6.3 MPa |
| Compressed air audit / leak detection | 1:70 VRd recommended | Thermal mass for < 0.1 Nm/s |
| Hydrogen, low-density gas | Below shedding floor at low flow | Swirl (LUXB) for compact straight-pipe |
| Wet biogas, digester gas | Vortex sensor noisy below 5 m/s wet | Swirl (LUXB) or thermal mass (TMF) |
| Tight skid, < 10D upstream pipe | Insufficient straight pipe | Swirl (LUXB) at 3D+2D |
| Idle leak drift, off-shift trickle | Reads zero below 3-4 m/s velocity | Thermal mass (TMF) at 0.1 Nm/s floor |
| Custody-transfer fiscal primary | Not approved | AGA 9 ultrasonic or Coriolis |
Vortex model selection by service range
Match the LUGB build to the operating temperature, body form, and medium. Eleven models across the LUGB Series cover the full steam, gas, and liquid service range.
| Service range | Body form / version | Model page |
|---|---|---|
| Steam & hot gas above 250 °C (T2/T3/T4 ceilings) | Flanged LUGB-VRd, Hastelloy C option | High-Temperature Vortex |
| Process steam, gas, low-viscosity liquid (general) | Flanged LUGB DN25–DN400 | Flanged Vortex |
| Tight retrofit, ≤ PN40, ≤ 250 °C | Wafer LUGB-W DN15–DN300 | Wafer Vortex |
| Large-DN gas service (DN200+) | Insertion-style sensor probe | Insertion Vortex |
| Saturated steam billing | Flanged LUGB-VRd + T+P compensation | Saturated Steam |
| Superheated steam billing | High-T LUGB + T+P compensation | Superheated Steam |
| Generic steam (saturated + superheat range) | Flanged LUGB DN25–DN400 + T+P | Steam Vortex |
| Natural gas, fuel gas, process gas | Flanged LUGB DN25–DN400 + AGA-style positioning | Natural Gas Vortex |
| Nitrogen blanketing, ASU outlet | Flanged LUGB DN25–DN300 | Nitrogen Vortex |
| Compressed-air sub-measurement, ISO 50001 | Flanged LUGB DN25–DN300 | Compressed Air Vortex |
| Non-conductive liquid (thermal oil, glycol, hydrocarbon) | Flanged LUGB liquid build | Liquid Vortex |
All eleven models ride the LUGB Series: ±0.5 % VRd accuracy, 1:70 turndown, built-in T+P compensation, CNEX Ex d IIC T6 Gb option, 5–7 business day lead time. Specify temperature ceiling (T2/T3/T4 = 350/400/500 °C) and wetted material (316L / Hastelloy C) at quote.
Model specification comparison.
Side-by-side spec across the LUGB models.
| model | DN range | Temperature ceiling | Body form | Key positioning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-T Vortex | DN15–DN600 | up to 500 °C (T4) | Flanged | High-T LUGB template, 316L / Hastelloy C wetted |
| Flanged Vortex | DN25–DN400 | up to 350 °C (T2) | Flanged | General process steam / gas / liquid |
| Wafer Vortex | DN15–DN300 | up to 250 °C | Wafer (sandwich) | Tight retrofit ≤ PN40 |
| Insertion Vortex | DN200+ | up to 350 °C | Insertion probe | Large-DN gas service, hot-tap install |
| Saturated Steam | DN25–DN400 | up to 250 °C saturated | Flanged + T+P | Steam billing on saturated headers |
| Superheated Steam | DN25–DN400 | up to 500 °C superheat | High-T flanged + T+P | Steam billing on superheat headers |
| Natural Gas Vortex | DN25–DN400 | up to 250 °C | Flanged + T+P | NG sub-measurement, fuel gas custody |
| Nitrogen Vortex | DN25–DN300 | up to 250 °C | Flanged + T+P | N₂ blanketing, ASU outlet |
| Compressed Air | DN25–DN300 | up to 150 °C | Flanged + T+P | ISO 50001 + 11011 audit-ready |
| Liquid Vortex | DN25–DN300 | up to 200 °C | Flanged liquid build | Thermal oil, glycol, hydrocarbon |
All models share the LUGB Series: ±0.5 % VRd accuracy, 1:70 turndown on VRd version, built-in T+P compensation option, CNEX Ex d IIC T6 Gb hazardous-area cert, IP65/66/67 ingress, EMC 2014/30/EU, 5–7 business days lead time.
Universal LUGB install requirements
The LUGB Series shares install requirements across all 11 models. Model-specific install variations live on each model page; the universal baseline below applies to every vortex flow meter installation.
- Specify temperature ceiling above peak continuous medium temperatureThree ceilings; T2 (350 °C), T3 (400 °C), T4 (500 °C); are factory-locked through the build code; no field upgrade. Specify above peak operating T, not at it.
- Pick wetted material by corrosivity316L stainless covers most steam and hot-gas service. Hastelloy C is the upgrade for chloride, acid condensate, or oxidising carry-over. Specified at quote; not field-upgradable.
- Keep the published straight-run discipline10D upstream and 5D downstream on standard pipe. After a single 90° elbow: 25D / 5D. After two elbows in different planes: 40D / 5D. Tight-retrofit installs that cannot meet straight-run should specify the swirl-flow-meter (LUXB) sibling instead.
- Avoid heavily vibrating pipe runsAnti-vibration clamps within 2D upstream and downstream when the run vibrates. Hot pipe with vibration accelerates body fatigue.
- Insulate the pipe and body, never the transmitter housingThe housing’s −40 to +70 °C ambient rating must stay clear of insulation. Hot-pipe insulation that wraps around the transmitter electronics causes thermal shutdown and signal drift.
- Ramp startup at the boiler / heater manufacturer’s rateThe LUGB body tolerates normal power-plant ramps under 10 K/minute, comfortably inside the body’s rated range. Faster ramps (e.g., emergency black-start) require explicit at-quote specification.
Model-specific install rules (T+P compensation tuning for steam models, ISO 50001 wiring for compressed-air, etc.) live on each model page. The six rules above are the universal LUGB baseline.
Frequently asked questions
Need help selecting a vortex flow meter?
Send the line size, design pressure, and process medium. The engineering team returns a sized model code, an estimated unit price, and a ship window within one business day. Lead time stays 5–7 business days from the factory.