Sanitary Flow Meter
Food, Dairy, Brewery & Pharmaceutical Build
Accuracy of ±0.5% of rate
Conductivity threshold ≥ 5 µS/cm
Velocity range 0.3 to 15 m/s
- Line sizes DN6 to DN200 (Tri-clamp ISO 2852 option DN15–DN80 typical)
- PFA liner (FDA-compliant food-contact material per the spec – a material grade, not a finished-meter certification) standard for sanitary service
- 316L stainless electrode, SIP cycles to +135 °C continuous rated
The Sanitary EMF measures food, dairy, brewery, and pharma process streams across DN6–DN200 by Faraday’s law. PFA wetted parts (FDA-compliant material) + 316L electrodes are standard.
Tri-clamp ISO 2852 option for CIP/SIP loops—specify at order. PFA tolerates SIP to +135 °C continuous; process to +180 °C. Lead time 5–7 business days.
Benefits
- PFA liner (p): FDA-compliant material, DN6–DN200, smooth surface resists protein/biofilm adhesion.
- 316L electrode: standard for water, weak acid/alkali, salt, food, beverage chemistry.
- Tri-clamp ISO 2852: DN15–DN80 for CIP/SIP; tool-free disassembly for cleaning validation.
- +180 °C process / +135 °C SIP continuous: covers full hygienic-cycle window.
- ±0.5 % of rate at 0.3–15 m/s for batch recipe and ingredient-cost accounting.
- CNEX Ex d optional for distillery/brewery; IP65/67/68 + EMC 2014/30/EU standard. Lead time 5–7 days.
Typical applications
Four hygienic-service zones where electromagnetic measurement with PFA liner and Tri-clamp connection is the standard specification over Coriolis, ultrasonic, and turbine alternatives.
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Dairy & beverage processing
Milk, yogurt, cheese, juice, soft-drink batch and CIP cycles; PFA resists protein adhesion.
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Brewery & distillery
Wort, final beer, CIP/SIP transfers; Tri-clamp for in-place cleaning without disassembly.
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Pharma process & bioreactor
Bioreactor feed, fermentation broth, CIP/SIP/WFI loops on API and biopharma sites; GMP-grade batch records.
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Specialty food ingredients
Honey, syrup, concentrate, vegetable-oil, sauce-base; viscous fluids with no moving parts.
Flow range by pipe size.
Volumetric flow at water reference (1000 kg/m³) across the 0.3 to 15 m/s velocity range (correct for actual liquid density). DN6 to DN200 range; the table below shows the most common sanitary-service sizes.
| DN | Inches | @ 1 m/s (m³/h) | @ 3 m/s | @ 5 m/s | @ 15 m/s (max) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DN15 | 1/2″ | 0.64 | 1.91 | 3.18 | 9.54 |
| DN25 | 1″ | 1.77 | 5.30 | 8.84 | 26.51 |
| DN50 | 2″ | 7.07 | 21.21 | 35.34 | 106.03 |
| DN80 | 3″ | 18.10 | 54.29 | 90.48 | 271.43 |
| DN100 | 4″ | 28.27 | 84.82 | 141.37 | 424.12 |
| DN150 | 6″ | 63.62 | 190.85 | 318.09 | 954.26 |
| DN200 | 8″ | 113.10 | 339.29 | 565.49 | 1696.46 |
Specifications
| Measurement principle | Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction |
|---|---|
| Pipe size range | DN6 – DN200 (1/4″ – 8″); Tri-clamp option DN15–DN80 typical |
| Accuracy | ±0.5 % of rate standard, ±0.2 % of rate high-accuracy option, ±2.5 % of rate verification grade |
| Velocity range | 0.3 to 15 m/s (1:1500 turndown maximum, typical operation 1–5 m/s) |
| Conductivity threshold | ≥ 5 µS/cm |
| Working pressure | PN10 / PN16 / PN25 / PN40 standard (ANSI 150 to 600 LB), up to PN250 (25 MPa) on request |
| Medium temperature | 0 to +180 °C with PFA liner; SIP cycles to +135 °C continuous rated |
| Ambient temperature | −40 to +60 °C |
| Liner material | PFA (p code) standard for sanitary; FDA-compliant material per the spec |
| Electrode material | 316L stainless standard for water, weak acid, weak alkali, salt, food, and beverage service |
| Connection | Flanged (DIN / ANSI) standard; Tri-clamp ISO 2852 specify at order for DN15–DN80 sanitary service |
| Output signals | 4-20 mA + HART, RS485 Modbus RTU, pulse, alarm contact, 4G IoT |
| Power supply | 24 V DC, 220 V AC, or battery (lithium, 5-year service life typical) |
| Ingress protection | IP65 standard, IP67 sensor + IP65 converter, IP68 sensor + IP65 converter (submersible option) |
| Hazardous area | Ex d optional for distillery, brewery, and solvent-extraction installations adjacent to flammable vapor zones |
| Approvals | EMC 2014/30/EU (Annex II), CE, ISO 9001 calibration certificate with each meter |
Selection guide for sanitary configurations
Five decision points decide the right sanitary build for food, dairy, brewery, and pharmaceutical service. Selection happens at order; physical install follows the universal install requirements.
- Decision 1: Connection type; flanged or Tri-clamp ISO 2852 Default to Tri-clamp ISO 2852 for any cleanable / CIP / SIP loop; bioreactor headspace transfer, formulation vessel feed, aseptic filling-line piping, brewery wort transfer. Tri-clamp gives tool-free disassembly for cleaning validation and gasket replacement without wrenches. Default to flanged (PN16 or ANSI 150) for utility-side service that won’t be opened for cleaning; bulk-tank vaporizer outlet, plant utility distribution. Specify Tri-clamp DN15 to DN80 typical at order; pressure class per ISO 2852 derates above 80 °C.
- Decision 2: PFA liner is the standard for sanitary PFA (p code) ships as the sanitary liner standard, FDA-compliant per the spec. PFA tolerates the +180 °C process temperature window and SIP cycles to +135 °C continuous. Alternative liners (PTFE / hard rubber / soft rubber) are not recommended for sanitary; they meet the chemistry resistance but lack PFA’s smooth wetted surface that resists protein and biofilm adhesion.
- Decision 3: 316L electrode is the standard for food / beverage / pharma 316L electrodes are standard for water, weak acid, weak alkali, salt, food, and beverage service; covering pasteurized milk, beer wort, fruit juice concentrate, soft-drink syrup, and most food-processing chemistry. For chloride-bearing brining or strong-acid CIP cycles, see the Corrosive Liquid Flow Meter for Hastelloy C / Tantalum upgrades.
- Decision 4: SIP cycle temperature and pressure window Confirm the SIP cycle peak temperature (PFA rating: +135 °C continuous; standard process service to +180 °C) and peak pressure against the meter rating. SIP at 121 °C / 2 bar gauge is well inside the rated window. Continuous service above 135 °C requires explicit specification at order so the factory ships matched gasket material.
- Decision 5: Documentation pack at order time Specify the documentation requirement at order: standard configuration ships with a factory K-factor calibration certificate. For audit-supporting batch-record traceability requirements (HACCP / GMP / pharma audit), confirm the documentation requirement with the engineering team at quote stage; the factory confirms what mill traceability and material-cert documentation ships with each configuration.
Once the build is selected, the physical install follows the universal install requirements: vertical mounting preferred (electrodes 3 and 9 o’clock if horizontal), ≤10 Ω grounding, shielded signal cable ≤30 m never parallel with power, valves + bypass at both ends, and never on the pump suction side. Full install requirements in installation manual (pages 089-090).
Frequently asked questions
What makes the sanitary flow meter different from a standard water flow meter?+
Three things differentiate the sanitary build from the general water build: liner material, electrode service rating, and connection type. The sanitary build ships with PFA wetted parts (FDA-compliant material per the spec); PFA has a smoother inner surface than hard rubber or PTFE, which resists protein adhesion and biofilm growth on dairy and food-processing service. The 316L electrode is standard for food and beverage service. Tri-clamp ISO 2852 connection is available as an order-specified option for cleanable / CIP / SIP loops at DN15 to DN80 typical sanitary sizes. The general water build uses hard rubber liner + flanged connection; appropriate for distribution mains and HVAC, not for hygienic process service.
Tri-clamp vs flange; which connection type fits my application?+
Default to Tri-clamp ISO 2852 for any cleanable / CIP / SIP loop; bioreactor headspace transfer, formulation vessel feed, aseptic filling-line piping, brewery wort transfer, and dairy product transfer. Tri-clamp gives tool-free disassembly for cleaning validation and gasket replacement without wrenches. Default to flanged (PN16 or ANSI 150) for utility-side service that won’t be opened for cleaning; bulk-tank vaporizer outlet, plant utility distribution, and CIP supply lines that bridge utility and process. Tri-clamp is available DN15 to DN80 typical at order. ISO 2852 Tri-clamp pressure class derates above 80 °C; confirm the SIP cycle pressure against the rating at quote stage.
Is the PFA liner FDA-compliant?+
PFA is an FDA-compliant material per the spec. The PFA polymer itself meets the FDA food-contact recognition that the spec references. Note the distinction: the LINER MATERIAL is FDA-compliant (a property of PFA as a polymer); the METER does not carry a separate FDA cert as a finished assembly. For audit-supporting documentation requirements, confirm the specific documentation pack with the engineering team at quote stage; the factory confirms what material-cert documentation ships with each configuration.
What temperature range does the sanitary build handle for SIP cycles?+
PFA wetted parts handle the standard +180 °C process temperature window per the spec. SIP cycles to +135 °C continuous are rated; covering the typical 121 °C / 30-minute SIP cycle with margin. SIP at 121 °C / 2 bar gauge is well inside the meter’s rated window. For continuous service above 135 °C, specify the higher-temperature configuration at order so the factory ships matched gasket material. The temperature rating applies to the wetted parts only; the converter housing rating is separate (−20 to +50 °C ambient per installation requirements §11.6).
What documentation ships with the sanitary build for audit support?+
Standard configuration ships with a factory K-factor calibration certificate. For audit-supporting batch-record traceability requirements (HACCP critical-control-point logging, GMP-grade documentation, pharma-audit material traceability), specify the documentation requirement at order; the factory confirms what mill traceability, material-cert documentation, and additional QA paperwork ships with each configuration. The engineering team aligns the documentation pack with the audit regime the buyer needs to satisfy at quote stage.
Can I use the sanitary meter for chloride-heavy brining or strong-acid CIP?+
The 316L electrode covers most food and beverage chemistry but has a chloride limit. For chloride-bearing brining (above approximately 3 % NaCl continuous) or strong-acid CIP cycles (caustic above 5 % NaOH or acid CIP below pH 2), see the Corrosive Liquid Flow Meter counterpart; Hastelloy C electrode handles chloride and oxidizing-acid service that 316L cannot. The PFA liner alone tolerates both; the bottleneck is electrode metallurgy, not liner chemistry.
What is the lead time and ingress rating for sanitary installations?+
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; IP67 is typical for indoor food-processing washdown environments. CNEX Ex d hazardous-area certification is available for distillery, brewery, and solvent-extraction installations adjacent to flammable vapor zones.
Need help sizing the sanitary build?
Send pipe size, application, connection type, SIP peak, documentation pack—sized DN, model code, doc scope within 4 hours.