Flow Meter Selection for Process Water Measurement in Industrial Laundry
Publish Date
Published July 6, 2026 — Stalwart Engineering Technical Notes
About the Role
This technical note discusses the selection of flow meters for process water measurement in industrial laundry settings, focusing on the differences in requirements between bulk consumption tracking and wash-water dosing.
Responsibilities
- Paddlewheel meters are suitable for general consumption tracking on relatively clean water but are not recommended for wash-water dosing due to gradual and silent accuracy degradation.
- Turbine meters offer better repeatability than paddlewheel designs but are sensitive to solids and require clean water upstream to maintain accuracy.
- Magnetic flow meters are the most repeatable option for wash-water dosing and are largely immune to wear-related accuracy drift, though they require a minimum conductivity in the water.
- Vortex meters are used for steam flow measurement and not for wash-water dosing, as they handle the compressibility and temperature range of steam better than other designs.
Requirements
- Flow meters must be installed according to manufacturers' specifications to ensure proper flow profile development and avoid errors due to incomplete straight pipe runs.
- Meter mounting orientation is critical, especially for meters that assume a fully flooded pipe, as partial emptiness can lead to nonsensical or falsely low readings.
- Periodic calibration against a reference standard is necessary to verify a meter's accuracy and prevent drift over time.
Qualifications
The technical note requires a basic understanding of flow meter types and their applications, as well as familiarity with calibration methods and installation requirements.
Skills
- Knowledge of flow meter types and their suitability for different applications.
- Familiarity with calibration methods and installation requirements.
- Understanding of the impact of flow profile development on meter accuracy.
Benefits
Using the right flow meter for the right application can prevent costly errors in both cost allocation and wash-water dosing, leading to improved process consistency and potentially higher-quality washes.
Pay
N/A
Schedule
N/A
Benefits
N/A
Related Notes
- Centrifugal Pump Selection and Sizing
- Utility Submetering and Cost Allocation
- Automated Chemical Dosing Systems
- Water Reclamation in Industrial Laundry Equipment
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