Liquid Metering Mastery: Conquering Precision Batching Challenges
Titan Enterprises offers essential information to lead engineers and operators through the complexities of precision liquid batching, providing accurate measurements and efficient process operations.
The Complexity of Precision Liquid Batching
At face value, metering batches of liquids ought to be easy—install a flowmeter, hook it up to an instrument, measure via onboard software, plug in a valve, enter the volume required, press a button, and pour the ideal amount of liquid into the vessel.
In reality, however, numerous issues come up that must be addressed if precise and repeatable results are to be achieved.
Why Precision Is Important in Liquid Metering
Industrial process and fluid handling systems call for exceptionally accurate flow measurement. From feeding water into food product mixers, adding flavorings to beverages, to treating abrasive chemicals, minute system deficiencies can lead to inaccuracy, lost product, and halted processes.
For batching applications, the utmost concern is repeatability—keeping the requirement volume distributed on target each and every time. Ideally, an unvarying process condition would be preserved by the system, but variations generally cannot be eliminated.
- Temperature changes throughout the day will alter fluid viscosity, thus affecting volumetric flow measurements.
- Decreasing feed liquid tank levels will decrease dispensing rate, affecting the accuracy of both the flow meter and the flow control valve.
To counteract these variables, batching system designs must reduce fluctuations where possible and employ correct flow meters, pumps, and valves to counteract any unavoidable changes.
Titan's NSF-Approved Beverage Flowmeter: A Solution for Precision Batching
Titan Enterprises' NSF-Approved Beverage Flowmeter is a cost-effective, high-precision flow measurement option for the beverage dispensing industry. The flowmeter has exceptional repeatability, enabling industries to optimize yields, either in beverage processing equipment or self-pour bar tap systems.
Uses of Liquid Flow Measurement in Batch Processing
1. Batching Ingredients in Juice Processing
Accurate measurement of flow is critical in fruit juice production to guarantee product quality. Flow meters monitor and control the discharge of water, flavourings, sweeteners, and other ingredients, delivering the correct amounts for consistent flavour and shelf life.
2. Liquid Batch Dispensing in Beer Walls
Beer walls rely on precise flow meters and valves to distribute and control beer volumes in self-serve bar taps. One of the most prominent self-pour technology providers in the USA uses Titan's NSF-Approved drink turbine meters for precise measurement and control of beer volumes at self-serve counters.
3. Flow Switching in Bottling Operations
Precise flow indication prevents costly bottling stoppages. Inline flow switches detect and respond to critical conditions, such as loss of product flow, without interrupting production. Some food and beverage manufacturers use Titan's mini turbine flowmeters as a cost-effective alternative to traditional flow switches. The products also control carbon dioxide dosing, shut down bottling lines when necessary, and prevent chiller shutdowns, ensuring overall efficiency.
Key Considerations for Liquid Batching Systems
1. System Repeatability
Hydraulic stability is crucial. Air pockets in the system create dynamic flow conditions, leading to volumetric errors. A hydraulically locked system eliminates variability and enhances accuracy.
2. Stable Process Conditions
Pressure, temperature, or flow rate changes can push flow meters out of their optimal operating ranges, leading to calibration drift. Stable conditions are required for reliable performance.
3. Handling Pulsating Flow
Some pumps produce pulsating flows, which disrupt accurate flow measurement. Pressure regulators and pulsation dampeners are required to ensure smooth and continuous liquid flow.
4. Flow Meter Position
Positioning the flow meter close to the dispense valve reduces fluid inertia, improving measurement accuracy.
5. Flow Meter Resolution
A low-resolution flow meter (say, one pulse per litre) may be too imprecise for small batch application. Alternatively, too great a resolution imposes unnecessary expense. Selecting the correct resolution is critical to fulfill both accuracy and economy needs.
6. Valve Selection and Calibration
The shut-off valve type has a significant impact on delivery precision. Small pipelines are best served by high-speed solenoids, and multi-stage shut-off valves or batch overrun compensation programming make adjustments in large applications.
7. Maximising Electronic Flow Meters
High-precision batching meters such as Titan's ultrasonic Atrato® flow meter look forward to stop signals well in advance, which ensures uninterrupted delivery at high rates.
Maximising Process Efficiency with Smart Liquid Metering
Engineers can avoid common mistakes in liquid metering and provide superior accuracy by controlling these critical points during the system design and commissioning phase. Sufficient investment in the correct flow measurement technology ensures that batching systems operate with precision and reliability.
For expert guidance on flow measurement technology for batch processing, visit www.flowmeters.co.uk or email sales@flowmeters.co.uk.
Titan Enterprises Limited
- 01935812790
- sales@flowmeters.co.uk
- http://www.flowmeters.co.uk
- Unit 2 5a Coldharbour Business Park, Sherborne Dorset, DT9 4JW GB
About us
With over 40-years experience in flow meter innovation, Titan Enterprises Ltd are a UK-based manufacturer of high performance solutions such as the Atrato ultrasonic flowmeter, Oval Gear flow meters and the low flow Turbine flow meters and instrument range.
Our knowledgeable team can offer either an off-the-shelf meter or fully bespoke flow system designed for a particular application whether it is a low cost OEM solution or a specialist flowmeter in exotic materials. Titan supplies innovative flow measurement solutions into a broad range of sectors, including medical, industrial, food and drink, laboratory and pharmaceutical, offshire oil & gas industry, power, chemicals and mining.
For higher volume users we can custom design a flowmeter to match exact application requirements and thus not compromise achievable results with a less than ideal sensor.
At Titan we endeavour to produce devices that are inherently reliable as well as manufactured using the latest and most economical production technology. All flow meters produced by Titan are designed and manufactured to ISO9001 and calibrated to an uncertainty of ±0.25%.
We produce chemically resistant, high accuracy digital flow meters that are not only competitively priced but are engineered to give long-term reliable performance.
What we do in a nutshell
Titan Enterprises is a leading UK manufacturer and international supplier of high-performance liquid flow measurement solutions. We specialise in the design and production of small-bore, affordable off-the-shelf flow meters to bespoke flow sensors designed to customer specifications meeting specific flow ranges and environmental conditions.
Where we supply to
Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, North America
Industries we supply to
Automation, Chemicals, Consultants, Components Electronics, Energy and Power, Food and Beverage, Glass Ceramics Cement, Metals and Minerals, OEM, Paper and Pulp, Pharmaceutical Cosmetics Toiletries, Plastics and Rubber, Recycling, Textiles, Tobacco, Water and Wastewater
Something interesting you may not know about us:
Titan's R&D spend is 20% of our turnover where the industry norm is 8-10%.
-
Why Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Is Greater Than Purchase Price in Flow Measurement Systems
Titan Enterprises stresses the intangible cost benefits of low-maintenance, long-life flow meter technology where performance is balanced with long-term value.When...
-
Customer Trials Drive New Development of Titan's Ultrasonic Drink Flowmeter
Titan Enterprises, a leading UK manufacturer of innovative flow measurement instruments, is crediting customer trials with driving the development of...
-
Flow Measurement for Hazardous Environments
Accurate and safe flow measurement in hazardous conditions relies on flowmeters equipped to meet strict compliance standards. These include Explosion...
-
OEMs Turn to Titan Enterprises for Sophisticated Flow Measurement Solutions
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) across various industries are progressively working with Titan Enterprises to solve difficult fluid measurement problems. Renowned...
-
Titan Enterprises Leads the Way with Green Strategies
Titan Enterprises leads innovation and sustainability with green strategic investments and robust UK-based supply chains.It may be challenging to balance...
-
Liquid Metering Mastery: Conquering Precision Batching Challenges
Titan Enterprises offers essential information to lead engineers and operators through the complexities of precision liquid batching, providing accurate measurements...
-
Atrato Ultrasonic Flowmeter from Titan Enterprises, designed by Trevor Forster
