Highly accurate and dependable thermal flow meter provides VIP treatment to support green fuel cell energy in reducing carbon emissions

Fluid Components International’s (FCI) precision ST80 Thermal Mass Flow Meters with Vortab (VIP) Flow Conditioners are now being used in sophisticated fuel cell technology projects to provide clean electric power while reducing or eliminating harmful emissions. These advanced thermal mass flow meters, coupled with tab-type flow conditioners, are helping process and plant engineers support green fuel cell energy initiatives that produce electricity, hydrogen and water.

The ST80 Flow Meter and VIP Flow Conditioner are installed for the monitoring of multiple fuel cell process applications, such as fuel gas primary feed, fuel gas pressure relief, deoxidizer relief line flow, cooling tower vent, anode exhaust gas, and fresh air blower discharge flow. VIP flow conditioners are utilised upstream from the meters when less than ideal pipe straight-run conditions could impact overall measurement accuracy.

Designed with FCI’s Adaptive Sensor Technology™ (AST™), the ST80 Flow Meter features an innovative, patented hybrid sensor drive that combines both constant power and constant temperature thermal dispersion sensing technologies in the same instrument. Additionally, the ST80 Flow Meter offers four different flow sensor element designs to ensure the best installed performance, including FCI’s newest wet gas solution.

The ST80 Flow Meter is suitable for pipe diameters from 1 to 99 inches and air/gas temperatures up to 850°F. They feature accuracy of ±1% of reading, ±0.5% of full scale, and repeatability of ±0.5% of reading with flow rates as low as 0.25 up to 1000 SFPS and 100:1 turndown. The meter’s outputs and user interface choices are extensive, and it interfaces with virtually any control system.

The rugged ST80 Flow Meter’s transmitter enclosure is NEMA 4X/IP67 rated, and is available in both aluminium and stainless steel. The instrument also carries global approvals for use in hazardous areas and a 3rd party evaluation that demonstrates compliance to IEC 61508.

In summary, the ST80 Flow Meter and VIP Flow Conditioner are helping process and plant engineers support green fuel cell energy initiatives that produce electricity, hydrogen, and water while reducing or eliminating harmful emissions.