Fluid Components International ST Series thermal flow meters

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The ST Series Thermal Flow Meters from Fluid Components International are precision hydrogen-calibrated for engineers and plant operators responsible for producing, using, dispensing or distributing hydrogen gas. The products suit many pipe diameters and installation conditions, and require minimal routine maintenance.

Hydrogen is receiving global attention as a renewable energy fuel resource. Production processes from fossil sources, biomass and waste and H₂O-splitting are capturing attention as brown, green, grey and blue alternative fuels. Hydrogen is also a key gas used in ammonia manufacturing for the agricultural chemicals industry, methanol production and other processes. Accurate, repeatable and reliable flow meters are an important component in the processes.

Hydrogen-calibrated thermal mass flow meters are suited to meet the conditions of these applications, working based on the principles of heat transfer. H₂ has a very high heat transfer rate and to measure it with high accuracy and repeatability, a thermal flow meter should be calibrated in actual H₂. Applying theoretical gas equivalency equations to correct real-world readings for H₂ is ineffective for this gas.

The products in this range are calibrated under customer installation conditions with actual hydrogen to achieve accuracy and repeatability. They are direct mass flow measuring and are multivariable, providing both flow and temperature outputs. Since there are no moving parts, wear, breakage and maintenance is also reduced. The range has a selection of process connections, including compression fittings, NPT male and female threaded connections, flanges, ball valves, hot taps and more to ensure installation site compatibility.

The range offers solutions from small, compact meters with basic 4–20 mA analog output to feature-enhanced versions with multiple 4–20 mA outputs, digital bus communications such as HART, Modbus, Foundation Fieldbus, and Profibus, in-situ calibration, self-checks and on-board data logging.

The flow meters carry approvals for installation in Div.1/Zone 1 environments, and offer superior ruggedness and long-life with NEMA 4X/IP67-rated low-copper content aluminium or 316 stainless steel enclosures.

Standard turndowns of 100:1 and flow ranges from 0.07 to 305 NMPS make them versatile. The transmitter/electronics can be integrally mounted with the flow body or may be remote-mounted to 305 m away. They are available in either DC- or AC-powered versions and their readout/display options include basic flow rate, totaliser, digital/graphic backlighted LCD and a through-the-glass activated 4-button array.

In hydrogen applications with limited straight-runs or for operating in transitional flow ranges that can adversely affect accuracy and repeatability, the flow meters are also optionally available with and calibration-matched to appropriate flow conditioners to ensure performance.