Insertion Ultrasonic Flow Meter

A single-point probe inserts through the pipe wall and reads local velocity at the Nikuradse 1/8-D depth. The firmware applies the profile correction to return pipe-average velocity, then multiplies by pipe area for volumetric flow. Accuracy is ±1.5 % of rate across 0.3 to 10 m/s. The probe inserts through a welded ball-valve fitting under live pressure, so retrofit installs without service shutdown.

Three differences. First, versus clamp-on: insertion wins on signal stability at large bore (DN1000+) where the clamp-on signal attenuates across a wide pipe; the insertion probe sits in the flow stream directly. Second, versus insertion electromagnetic (LEA-INS hot-tap water flow meter): insertion ultrasonic reads low-conductivity liquid; DI water, glycol, hydrocarbon up to 10 cSt; below the 5 microsiemens per cm electromagnetic floor. Third, versus inline pipe-segment: insertion suits retrofit on cast iron, ductile iron, cement-lined, and large-diameter mains where pipe cuts and civil works dominate project cost.

Yes. The hot-tap procedure uses a welded short nipple and a ball valve installed on the host pipe under prep. The sealed probe then inserts through the open ball valve under live process pressure and locks at the calibrated insertion depth. The probe seal contains process pressure during and after insertion, so service does not stop. The pressure class is governed by the hot-tap ball valve: PN16 brass standard, PN25 304 SS option, PN40 factory custom. Field-install time is typically 2 to 4 hours per meter.

The probe handles steel, ductile iron, cast iron, cement-lined steel, GRP, HDPE, and PE host pipes. Non-conductive sections (HDPE, PE, cement, GRP) work fine on ultrasonic insertion; no ground reference needed, unlike the LEA-INS counterpart. Respect the 5D upstream / 3D downstream straight-pipe rule and insert the probe to the marked 1/8-D depth. For lines below DN50, the inline ultrasonic flow meter is the better choice.

Accuracy holds at ±1.5 % of rate across 0.3 to 10 m/s. Below 0.3 m/s the profile becomes laminar and the correction relaxes to ±2.5 % of rate. Above 10 m/s pipe-wall vibration relaxes repeatability to ±1.0 % of span. Instrument range extends to 12 m/s; the calibrated range is 0.3 to 10 m/s. For sub-0.1 m/s low-flow audits, go to the clamp-on portable version instead.

Standard outputs: 4-20 mA analogue, pulse, alarm contact, RS-485 Modbus RTU. HART overlay is a factory option. The 4G IoT output extends telemetry to off-grid distribution sites without on-site SCADA; fits non-revenue-water audits, remote cooling-tower service, and unstaffed data-center primary cooling. The lithium battery option supports off-grid metering with multi-year service life.

Lead time is 5 to 7 business days from order confirmation, factory direct, including the welded mounting nipple and ball-valve hot-tap fitting kit when specified. EMC 2014/30/EU (Annex II) ships standard. IP65 one-piece and IP65+IP68 split submersible ratings are selectable for buried valve chambers. Every meter ships with an ISO 9001 calibration certificate listing the DN, the tested velocity range, and the probe insertion depth. OIML R49, MID MI-001, and AGA-9 are buyer-arranged with the local notified body.