Slurry Flow Meter

An electromagnetic slurry flow meter measures volumetric flow by Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction. A pair of magnetic-field coils generates a stable field across the pipe bore. As slurry (with conductivity well above the 5 µS/cm threshold; most mineral slurries run 200 to 5,000 µS/cm) flows through the field, an EMF is induced across two electrodes, with magnitude directly proportional to the cross-sectional average velocity. The induced-EMF method has no moving parts, no orifice, and no bluff body in the bore; so it is unaffected by the heavy solids loading, abrasive grit, and intermittent slug flow that retire turbine, vortex, and ultrasonic-Doppler meters on heavy slurry service.

Polyurethane delivers approximately 50 % better wear life than soft or hard rubber on grit-laden slurry; typically 5 to 8 years on continuous mining-slurry service against 3 to 5 years for rubber. The polyurethane elastomer absorbs particle impact without the surface erosion that retires rubber liners. Polyurethane is available DN6 to DN300; for larger pipe sizes the meter switches to hard rubber liner with the trade-off of reduced wear life. Ceramic liner is the upgrade for the most aggressive ore-concentrate service below DN300, but adds significant cost and is only justified above 30 % solids continuous.

316L stainless electrodes cover most slurry service; paper-pulp stock, sand transport below 25 % solids, lime-stone wash, and general mineral-processing wash water. Tungsten carbide is the upgrade for ore concentrate above 30 % solids, SAG-mill discharge, hydrocyclone underflow, and tailings with sharp-grit content. The wear-life difference is 12 months (316L) vs 5+ years (tungsten) on heavy-abrasion service. Specify tungsten carbide at order; field upgrade requires sensor return-to-factory.

Yes; the induced-EMF method measures cross-sectional average velocity directly, so the straight-pipe rule is short: 5D upstream and 2D downstream. This is the key advantage on slurry skids where pipe length is constrained; conveyor-discharge skids, hydrocyclone underflow drops, tailings-pond return loops, and reagent-mix tanks. The meter drops into existing skids that vortex (10D / 5D) and orifice meters cannot fit.

The LEA handles slurries up to approximately 50 % solids by weight on continuous service with appropriate liner and electrode selection (polyurethane + tungsten carbide for fine-grit, hard rubber + tungsten for coarse-grit larger DN). Above 50 % solids the rheology becomes non-Newtonian and the velocity-distribution assumption underlying the calibration starts to drift; for ore-concentrate at 60 % solids continuous, the recommendation is a Coriolis or DP-orifice with custom calibration. Below 50 % solids, the standard accuracy of ±0.5 % of rate holds.

Yes; the polyurethane (DN6 to DN300) or hard rubber (DN300 to DN1200) liner with tungsten carbide electrode is the standard tailings-transport configuration. For coal-prep wash water with the highest grit and possible Ex-classified flammable-dust environment, specify the Ex d certification at order. Ceramic (Al₂O₃) liner is available DN10 to DN300 for the most aggressive service where polyurethane wear would still be unacceptable; typical use is FGD limestone slurry and pickle-line acid recovery.

Standard lead time is 5–7 business days from order confirmation, factory direct. EMC compliance to the EU Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2014/30/EU (Annex II) ships as standard. IP65, IP67, and IP68 sensor + IP65 converter ingress ratings are selectable at order. Ex d hazardous-area certification is available for coal-prep, mineral-processing acid-leach, and dust-classified mining environments.