glass tube rotameter

Glass Tube Rotameter

Glass Tube Rotameter gives you a way to accurately measure flow rates of both liquids and gases by offering a visible reading. It comes with a highly polished and tapered borosilicate glass tube with a float that can be moved with the help of the flow rate. This is a reliable instrument which is chemically resistant and can be easily installed.

Overview

The Glass Tube Rotameter is a variable-area flowmeter used for measuring the flow rates of liquids and gases through vertical pipes.

The rotameter consists of a glass tube fitted with an internal float whose position is affected by the flow rate and which gives an indication of the measurement on a calibrated scale.

This is a mechanical flowmeter that does not need any external source of energy to function effectively.

There are different configurations of this rotameter available; for instance, it can be made of safety glass. 

Features

  • Measures liquid and gas flow in vertical pipelines.
  • Instant flow indication using a calibrated scale.
  • Easy to mount with low maintenance.
  • Borosilicate glass tube provides clear visual indication.
  • Tube can be replaced without disconnecting the meter from the pipeline.
  • White acrylic scale available in customer engineering units.
  • Stainless steel float for reliable performance.
  • Optional high and low flow alarm switches.
  • Rubber-protected cover glass for added safety.
  • Economical and user-friendly design.

Specifications

Line Size ½” to 4″ NB
Available Materials Mild Steel, CS, SS304, SS316, SS316L, PTFE Lined
Connection Flanged (ASA, BIS, DIN, Triclover), Screwed BSP / NPT (M/F)
Accuracy ±2% of FSD

Process Parameters

  • Fluid: Liquids & Gases
  • Specific Gravity: Up to 2.95
  • Viscosity: Up to 200 cP
  • Design Temperature: Up to 150°C
  • Design Pressure: Up to 16 Kg/cm² (Depending on Line Size)
  • Measuring Range: 30 to 40000 LPH (Liquids), 0.1 to 750 Nm³/hr (Gases)

Working Principle

Fluid Entry in Vertical Position

In the vertical fluid entry position, the Glass Tube Rotameter can be installed, which allows the fluid flow to enter the rotameter from below in an upward direction through the tapering measuring tube.

Float Positioning

While moving inside the tube, the fluid develops an upward force on the float. The float continues moving upward until the upward force becomes equal to the weight of the float, resulting in the stable positioning of the float.

Measurement through Varying Flow Area

The float moves through the tapering borosilicate glass tube, and its upward movement causes the variation in flow area inside the glass tube, based on the position of the float.

Direct Flow Measurement

The float position in the tapered tube gives a direct reading of flow rate, which can be read easily using the calibrated scale on the tube.

Available Options

Line Sizes & Measuring Ranges

  • Line Sizing Range: ½“ to 4″ NB
  • Liquid Flow Limits: 30 to 40,000 LPH of Liquid (up to 40 m³/hr flow rate of water)
  • Gas Flow Limits: 0.1 to 750 Nm³/hr of Gas
  • Overall Structural Length: 500 mm (standard across flanged, screwed, and Triclover interfaces)

Material of Construction (MOC)

  • Metering Tube: Tapered borosilicate glass tube
  • Enclosure & Casing Components: Mild Steel (MS), Carbon Steel (CS), Stainless Steel 304, Stainless Steel 316, Stainless Steel 316L, and PTFE-lined body variations
  • Float Assemblies: Standard Stainless Steel components matched to given line sizes

End Connections

  • Flanged Configuration: Built to ASA, BIS, and DIN pressure standards
  • Screwed Configuration: Male or Female BSP, NPT threaded interfaces
  • Sanitary Configuration: Standard Triclover clamp connections

Operating Parameters & Accuracy

  • System Accuracy Profile: ±2% of Full Scale Deflection (FSD)
  • Maximum Design Pressure: Up to 16 Kg/cm² (dependent on specific line size)
  • Maximum Design Temperature: Up to 150°C
  • Fluid Viscosity Limit: Up to 200 cP
  • Fluid Specific Gravity Threshold: Up to 2.95

Orientation & Scale Configurations

  • Process Entry Layouts: Top & Bottom, Rear, Bottom & Rear, or Rear & Top entry configurations
  • Scale Variations: White Acrylic scale panel calibrated in customized engineering flow units

Process Switch & Hardware Upgrades

  • Automation Electronics: Optional High and Low flow alarm switch interfaces for operating valve & pump control loops
  • Thermal Conditioning: Continuous hot steam jacket physical arrangement
  • Enclosure Shielding: Protective rubber cover glass armor layout

Why Glass Tube Rotameter

Safe Flow Measurement Visibility: The instrument with safety glass casing enables clear flow measurement visibility and adds extra safety when in operation.

Chemically Resistant Design: Due to borosilicate glass tube rotameter construction, the instrument will be able to operate safely in various chemical applications.

No External Power Supply Operation: The rotameter is a mechanical variable area flow meter which does not require any power supply.

Precise Low Flow Measurement: Our low flow purge glass rotameter can help with measuring low flow rates with visual flow indication.

Got Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

It operates on the variable area flow meter principle; as fluid flows upward through a tapered glass tube, it lifts an internal float until the upward fluid force balances the float's weight.
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