Introduction

The object of this chapter is to assist the reader in specifying a proposed flowmeter's operational requirements as fully as possible and hence to enable the reader to select the right flowmeter. The reason for wishing to select a flowmeter may be obvious: a flow rate to be measured. However, the reason in some cases may be less obvious. If you are a flowmeter manufacturer, or prospective manufacturer, you may wish to identify a type and design which would meet a particular market niche. If you are a member of an R&D team, you may be exploring measurement areas which are inadequately covered at present.

This chapter is little changed from Baker (2000), which developed earlier ideas (Baker 1989; Baker and Smith 1990), and I have benefitted from the ideas of others such as Endress+Hauser (1989; cf. 2006). In Baker and Smith (1990), we took a different line from Baker (1989), providing the means to specify the user's needs in as much detail as possible. We then provided a form for communication with the manufacturer.

Many people have attempted to provide a means of selecting a flowmeter. An expert system to assist in selection has seemed to me the way forward, but the on-line or CD selection methods, available from some manufacturers, may essentially be providing a satisfactory approach. Such data is likely to reflect the manufacturer's latest developments.

Specifying the Application

The major manufacturers appear to have developed their choice of flowmeter types to cover most of the commonest technologies. I suspect that this has the useful effect of ensuring that the most appropriate type will be utilised for a particular application.

On flow measurement workshops we have run over the years at Cranfield University, at Cambridge and at Endress+Hauser, we divided up into working groups for selecting flowmeters for particular applications. Almost invariably there was more than one meter suitable to a lesser or greater extent for each application. This will mean that more than one meter may be suitable for the job in hand, but the manufacturer may give an experienced view as to the best one.

I have, therefore, developed the theme of Baker and Smith (1990) in this chapter. We start with a form and discuss the implications of each item for user and manufacturer.