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Steam Vortex Flow Meter

Saturated & Superheated Steam Build

Accuracy of ±0.5% VRd
Temperature service up to 350 °C
Turndown ratio of 1:70

  • Line sizes DN15 to DN600
  • Flange ratings PN16 to PN100 (ANSI 150 to 1500 LB)
  • Body materials 316L stainless or Hastelloy C
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LUGB Vortex Flow Meter; instrument body

The Steam Vortex Flow Meter measures saturated and superheated steam on boiler headers, CHP feeds, and process mains DN15–DN600. Vortex-shedding off the bluff body; ±0.5 % VRd, 1:70 turndown.

Built-in T+P outputs mass flow in kg/h, no external flow computer. 316L wetted parts; above 350 °C see High-Temperature Vortex model. CNEX Ex d IIC T6 Gb optional. 5–7 days from factory.

Why Steam Vortex

Benefits

Six spec-led proof points that decide a steam vortex specification.

  • VRd accuracy: LUGB-VRd ±0.5 %, 1:70 turndown; saturated and superheated header billing.
  • Built-in T+P compensation: integrated RTD + pressure transducer feed the on-board flow computer; steam mass flow in kg/h, no external multivariable.
  • 316L wetted parts: standard 316L; Hastelloy C upgrade for chloride or amine-treated condensate.
  • Temperature ceiling: T2/T3/T4 codes lock 350/400/500 °C; spec above peak operating T, not at it.
  • Hazardous-area certification: CNEX Ex d IIC T6 Gb optional; IP65/66/67 + EMC 2014/30/EU standard.
  • Lead time: 5–7 business days from factory with ISO 9001 cert.
Overview

Quick specifications.

The 8 numbers most procurement teams check first.

ParameterSpecification
Nominal DiameterDN15 – DN600 (½″ to 24″)
Process MediaSaturated steam (dryness >85%), superheated steam, single-phase fluids
Accuracy±0.5% / ±1.0% / ±1.5% (configurable)
Turndown Ratio1:10 to 1:70
Process Temperature−45 °C to +350 °C standard (up to +500 °C optional)
Pressure Class1.6 MPa to 10 MPa standard (up to 100 MPa custom)
Output Signal4-20 mA · HART · RS485 Modbus-RTU · Pulse · GPRS IoT
Hazardous AreaIP65/66/67 / CNEX Ex d IIC T6 Gb (flameproof, Zone 1)
Build Your Order

Configure your build.

Select your specs; we’ll generate a model code and ballpark price. Submit to engineering for verified sizing within 4 business hours.

Your Configuration

LUGB-05-U-A-P-3-T1-1-4-T-H4-S
Estimated unit price
Final price confirmed after engineer review
$620
Subtotal (× 1)
$620

✓ No payment until quote accepted
✓ Engineers verify sizing & flow range
✓ Reply within 4 business hours

Where It’s Installed

Typical applications

Four common deployments where the LUGB Series replaces orifice plates and Coriolis meters at a fraction of the cost.

Industrial Boiler Houses

Distribution headers from gas, biomass, or coal-fired boilers. Wide turndown handles morning ramp-up to full load.

CHP & Cogeneration

Process steam to district heating loops and CHP plants. ±1.0 % mass-flow supports tighter departmental billing.

Food & Beverage Plants

Process steam to retorts, evaporators, sterilizers. Sanitary clamp connections + 316L for clean circuits.

Chemical & Petrochemical

Reactor steam jackets, reboilers, stripping columns. Hastelloy options for corrosive condensate.

Complete Datasheet

Specifications

Pulled directly from the LUGB factory datasheet; no marketing rounding.

Performance

Accuracy; Steam±0.5% / ±1.0% / ±1.5%
Turndown Ratio1:10 – 1:70 (1:70 on LUGB-VRd)
Reynolds / Velocity1×10⁴ – 7×10⁶ Re · 2 – 70 m/s gas/steam
Pressure lossΔP = 1.29 × ρ × V² Pa · Cd ≤ 2.4
Power Consumption< 1 W

Process & Environment

Process Temperature−45 to +350 °C (T2 standard) · up to +500 °C (T4 high-temp)
Pressure Class1.6 / 2.5 / 4.0 / 10 MPa
Vibration Tolerance0.5 – 1.0 g standard (anti-seismic VRd higher)
Ambient Temperature / Humidity−35 to +65 °C · 5 – 90 % RH non-condensing
Ingress ProtectionIP65 / IP66 / IP67
Hazardous AreaCNEX Ex d IIC T6 Gb; T-class confirmed at quotation

Electrical & Output

Power Supply24 VDC / 220 VAC / 3.6 V Li
Outputs4-20 mA (≤ 500 Ω; ≤ 300 Ω Ex) · Pulse 2 – 3000 Hz · HART · RS485 Modbus-RTU · 4G GPRS
DisplayT, P, instantaneous + totalized flow
Cable EntryM20×1.5 or 1/2 NPT

Materials & Construction

Body material304 standard · 316L / Titanium / Hastelloy C optional
Sensor material316L standard · Hastelloy C optional
Transmitter HousingCast aluminum, polyester coated
Connection OptionsFlanged, wafer, sanitary, threaded, insertion
Transmitter StyleIntegral or remote (separated)
Sizing Reference

Flow range by pipe size.

Mass flow values for saturated steam at 165 °C, 0.5 MPa, density 3.26 kg/m³. For other conditions, contact engineering for verified sizing.

DN Inches Velocity (m/s) Volumetric Flow (m³/h) Mass Flow (kg/h)
DN15½″5 – 503 – 3010 – 100
DN251″4 – 606 – 10020 – 326
DN502″3 – 7020 – 40065 – 1,304
DN803″3 – 7060 – 1,200180 – 3,912
DN1004″3 – 7090 – 2,000294 – 6,520
DN1506″3 – 70200 – 5,000652 – 16,300
DN2008″3 – 70350 – 8,0001,141 – 26,080
DN30012″3 – 70800 – 18,0002,608 – 58,680
DN40016″3 – 701,400 – 31,0004,564 – 101,060
DN60024″3 – 703,400 – 70,00011,084 – 228,200
⚠ Mass flow figures vary with steam pressure and dryness. Always size with verified process conditions; submit your operating data via the configurator above and engineering will confirm fit.
Installation Guide

Installation

Five rules to hold rated accuracy.

  1. Install indoors when possible. Outdoor needs a cover; cable U-shape from below to prevent ingress.
  2. Avoid magnetic / electrical interference. No shared supply with VFDs/welders.
  3. Avoid heavily vibrating pipes. Pipe clamps within 2D up/down + anti-vibration pads.
  4. Working clearance. Space for cable, display, maintenance.
  5. Honor straight-pipe-run. See table; disturbance drives upstream length.

Required Straight Pipe Run

Upstream DisturbanceUpstreamDownstream
Standard pipe (no disturbance)10D5D
90° elbow25D5D
Concentric reducer / fully open valve15D5D
Concentric expander30D5D
Two 90° elbows (same plane)25D5D
Two 90° elbows (different planes)40D5D
Fully open valve20D5D
Half-open valve50D5D
Frequently Asked

Frequently asked questions

Yes. The ProFlow vortex steam flow meter covers both with the right temperature class; T1 (−45 to 250 °C) for saturated steam, T2 (−45 to 350 °C) or T3 (−45 to 400 °C) for superheated. Saturated steam needs temperature compensation only; superheated steam needs T+P compensation, which is a built-in option (codes P/T in the model selector).
Minimum 10D upstream and 5D downstream for a clean pipe. With a 90° elbow upstream, increase to 25D. With two 90° elbows in different planes, 40D. With a half-open valve upstream, 50D. (D = nominal diameter.) See the installation table above for the full matrix.
No. ProFlow’s steam vortex flow meter offers built-in T+P compensation as a configurable option (codes P/T in our model selector). This calculates true mass flow inside the transmitter and outputs kg/h directly via 4-20 mA, HART, or RS485; eliminating the need for a separate flow computer.
Our LUGB series achieves 1:10 to 1:70 turndown depending on configuration, well above standard vortex meters (typically 1:10). For steam systems with variable load; boilers cycling between low fire and high fire, or process steam with day/night demand swings; wider turndown means accurate billing across the full operating range without oversizing.
Standard models tolerate 0.5–1.0 g vibration. For high-vibration installations near pumps, compressors, or turbines, the LUGB-VRd Isolated Anti-Seismic series (winner of the China Instrument Society’s 2024 Top-10 New Product Award) uses a patented isolation structure to maintain ±1.0% accuracy in environments where standard meters drift.
Three numbers drive the pick. (1) Steam state; saturated needs T compensation, superheated needs T+P. (2) Boiler turn-down; match the meter’s 1:70 to the burner’s low-fire-to-high-fire ratio so low-load reads stay accurate for billing. (3) Pipe size and Reynolds at minimum flow; undersize the meter relative to the pipe if the velocity at low fire falls below the vortex-shedding cutoff. Send us your boiler kg/h range and steam pressure; we’ll size and quote within one business day.

Need help sizing the steam build?

Send DN, steam pressure, dryness, flow range. Spec sheet, model code, drawing in 4 hours.