Digital flow meters are industrial meter devices that measure the flow rate of gases and liquids and display the results in an industrial or commercial setup. The device does this in all pipe sizes of a half-inch to eight inches present, and the fluids such as oxygen, water, natural gases, diesel fuel, etc.
The digital flow meters include ultrasonic, thermal mass, electromagnetic, turbine, Venturi, vortex, and orifice plate. Different industrial applications utilize specific flow meters as required in operation.

 1. Ultrasonic Flow Meters

 Ultrasonic flow meters are uses to measure a liquid’s flow rate quickly and effectively. It consists of two types, namely, the transit time and the Doppler frequency shift.

2. Mass Flow Meters

 It is a type of digital water meter, which system operators use to directly measure the fluid mass flow rate traveling through the pipe or flow meter. The mass flow meter uses in calculating the fluids’ temperature, viscosity, and density.

3. Differential Pressure Flow Meters

 Differential pressure flow meters measure the flow rate of gases, liquids, and steam using the principle of differential pressure. It is why the meter is abbreviated as DP.

4. Vortex Flow Meters

 Vortex flowmeters estimate the flow rate of liquids, steam, and gases using the vortex shedding principle. Therefore sometimes, it is called the vortex shedding flow meter.

1.The vortex gas flow meter

It is a digital flow meter for gases that measures substances like propane, nitrogen, air, natural gases, etc.

 6. Ultrasonic Gas Flow Meters

It relies on the principle of measuring the transit time of the waves (ultrasonic) passing through the pipeline or channel. This device is always perfect for the measurement of various gases.

7. Volumetric Flow Meters

Volumetric flow meters measure the flow rate volume of high corrosive fluids and high viscous fluids passing through the flow stream. It is sometimes called a positive displacement flow meter since it is mechanically made.

8. Magnetic Flow Meters

 It is a type of digital flow meter that measures conductive liquids’ flow rate in a pipeline. The magnetic flow meter is also known as magmeter flow meters or electromagnetic flowmeters.

Applications of Digital Flow Meters

1. Digital liquid Flow Meter

Here, different digital water flow meters display the flow rate of water and its output. The digital water meter is sometimes known as the electronic water flow meter. Digital water meters are commonly used in the measurement of household water and industrial water.

 Under digital liquid flow meters, there are various meters such as;

i) Sewage flow meters.
ii) Industrial petrol flow meters.
iii) Hot water flow meters.
iv) Digital beer flow meters.
v) Digital flow meters for hydraulic oil.
vi) Flowmeters for cryogenic.
vii) Flow meters for low fluids flow.

2. Digital gas Flow Meters

It consists of the following;

i) Oxygen flow meters.
ii) Propane flow meters.
iii) Nitrogen flow meters.
iv) Compressed air flow meters.
v) Steam flow meters.
vi) Propane flow meters.
vii) Biogas flow meters etc.

The nitrogen flow use as an industrial meter for metal processing and prevention of arcing in bulbs.

How digital flow meters operate

Digital flow meters contain primary devices, which are the transducer and transmitter. The transducer detects the fluid moving through a pipe and passes the information to the transmitter, which displays the signal into a readable unit.
The industrial meter measures the number of gases, steam, and liquids moving through and around the flow meter’s sensor. The flow rate measures by the velocity of the flowing fluid and the pipes’ cross-section area.

Advantages of Digital Flow Meters

 1.The numerical display of the digital flow meter enhances ease in reading the measurement.
2. Digital flow meters have external power that makes them rely less on the liquid temperature and pressure.
3. Digital flow meters are more reliable than mechanical flow meters, e.g., rotameter.
4. Digital flow meters provide accurate results on measurements than mechanical flow meters.

Disadvantages of digital flowmeters

 1.With digital flow meters, there is always a need to be plugged in since some outlets cannot reach industrial setups.
2. Digital flow meters are expensive to purchase.

Conclusion

A Digital flow meter is used as an industrial meter to perform various activities in industries and commercial setups. It would be best if you choose the best type and design for your application. Accuracy, cost, lifetime, and maintenance are factors to consider before purchasing a digital flow meter.