FCI develops next-generation flowmeter for heavy industry use
California-based Fluid Components International (FCI) has developed the MT100 Series Multipoint Thermal Mass flowmeters, aimed at electric power generation plants, petrochemical refineries and other heavy industries. Flowmeters optimise combustion and delivery of pre-heated air to large boilers, among other applications. The next generation flowmeters combine state-of-art electronics technology, including two to eight flow rate sensing points to provide temperature-compensated direct mass flow measurement of air and gases for precise, repeatable measurement in large-diameter pipes, stacks and rectangular duct installations.
FCI’s breakthrough MT100 Series Air/Gas Flow Meters combine state-of-art electronics technology with application-proven precision flow sensors in a rugged package designed for the most demanding plant operating environments.

Process and plant engineers in heavy industrial facilities responsible for optimising combustion or pre-heated air to large boilers, stack emissions monitoring and reporting, or flue gas/scrubber balancing, will find the next generation MT100 Series Multipoint Thermal Mass flowmetres from Fluid Components International (FCI) set a new standard in performance accuracy, reliability, ease of use and value.

The flowmeters provide temperature-compensated direct mass flow measurement of air and gases for precise, repeatable measurement with low maintenance requirements in large diameter pipes, stacks and rectangular duct installations.

In electric power generation, petrochemical refineries and other heavy industries, large diameter pipes and ducts present unique challenges to achieve successful flowmeter installation and performance. Hot, moist and/or dirty gases along with lack of pipe straight-run, distorted flow profiles, low flowrates and wide turndowns rates are common performance challenges for many flow metering technologies.

FCI’s thermal mass MT100 Series air/gas flowmeters are available with two to eight flowrate sensing points to overcome these issues. Multiple sensors are inserted at various depths within a pipe or duct and their outputs are multiplexed and averaged to produce the flowrate within the process line.

The MT100 meter’s sensors can be installed either across a mast or can be inserted at multiple points around the process line in a single plane. In large stack applications, this means that the instrument installation can be done at a single platform location to achieve a major cost savings over other technologies such as ultrasonic meters, which require installing transducers at precise offset angles.

In hot, dirty and/or moist or corrosive stack gases, the MT100 Flow Meters also excels because there are no moving parts, orifices or glass windows to foul or clog. The instrument can measure air/gas processes operating up to 850 °F (454 °C).

The MT100 Series flowmeters can measure flowrates over a wide range from 0.25 to 1000 SFPS (0,07 to 305 NMPS) with 100:1 turndown and with excellent accuracy of ± 0.75% of reading, ± 0.5% of full scale. They are also dual-function and can provide temperature measurement capability from -50 to 850°F (-45 to 454 °C), with accuracy of ± 2 °F (± 1,1 °C).

The state-of-art transmitter for the MT100 Series flowmeter is both full-featured and rugged. It comes with an extensive choice of output options to interface with virtually any DCS, PLC, SCADA, or recorder. Dual, isolated, high resolution 4-20mA outputs compliant with Namur NE43, HART (Fieldcomm Group™ certified), Modbus, 0-1kHz frequency/pulse and a USB port are all included, standard. Optionally available are Foundation Fieldbus and Profibus-PA bus communications.

Its best-in-class large colour touch-screen LCD readout provides comprehensive process information to users with both analog and digital displays of flowrate, temperature and totalised flow, a user time-base selectable strip-chart of flowrate and sensor status diagnostics. The transmitter’s enclosure is superior, corrosion resistant stainless steel and carries a NEMA 4X/IP64 rating.

MT100 Series electronics also include a user programmable data logger feature to which flowrate, temperature and totalised flow as well as fault codes can be recorded on a removable, 8GB microSD card. The instrument also features a calibration drift check, which can be initiated on user demand or programmed to run automatically. Results of the test are provided with simple pass and fail messages presented to the operator on the LCD readout, and, if run automatically, the results are recorded to the on-board data logger.

Available with an optional Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS) package, the MT100 Series Flow Meters meet the requirements for US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) CEMS and Continuous Emissions Rate Monitoring System (CERMS) applications. The MT100 CEMS option includes an automated and on-demand self-checking of calibration drift (CD) and sensor interference. The results of the CEMS tests are presented as a simple pass or fail message on the LCD readout. The CEMS option also includes two relay outputs for connection to external devices, one to signal test in progress and the other to signal a fail-test mode.

All MT100 Series flowmeters have been independently tested and verified to meet and comply with IEC safety directives for EMC and LVD, and carry the CE marking. Optionally available for process installations with hazardous, potentially explosive gases and/or dust, MT100 meters can be ordered with FM/FMc, ATEX or IECEx agency approvals for Division II/Zone 2.