Panametrics liquid clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeter optimizes water network and monitors water leakage

A regional water authrority in South East Asia needed to better map its water networks in order to monitor the flow on its main lines. The goal was to reduce the volume of leaks across its network and save precious water. Increasing network efficiency is a common theme across the water distribution industry, often refered to as non-revenue water (NRW).

The customer operates the water grid on a 24/7 basis and therefore required a flow measurement solution that would not cause an interruption to the flow, limiting the technical possibilities to ultrasonic clamp on meters only.

Moreover, where the flow measurements were required, across 12 measurement points throughout the network, there was no available power supply. The flowmeters therefore had to be powered independently to ensure continuous operations.

With no communication available, the customer also required remote wireless access to the flowmeter data.

And, of course, the flowmeters had to be accurate and reliable with minimal or no maintenance given the measurement points were unmanned.

A successful turnkey pilot installation solution incorporating the cabinet with the solar panel, the battery and a 4G data logger was installed. The logger collected the flow and totalizer data and sent a packet of data (12hr data) twice a day back to the water utility server.

The customer was very satisfied with the performance and found that the low power consumption of the AT600 (5W typically) did not necessitate a large solar panel.

Thereafter, the Panametrics Transport PT900 portable ultrasonic flow meter was installed on various water line sizes with some having insufficient straight runs (typically 10 nominal diameters before and 5 nominal diameters after the measurement point), to ensure the flowmeter would work on all lines.

The pilot solution worked flawlessly. Some of the measurements were compared with fixed electromagnetic flowmeters installed on the line, and the readings matched within 1% to 2% providing the customer with the confidence that the results were accurate. Panametrics’ experience with this application specifically in South East Asia plus the successful pilot convinced the customer to adopt Panametrics technology

The customer installed 12 ultrasonic liquid clamp-on Aquatrans AT600 flowmeters with C-RS 401 IP68 transducers below ground level water lines. After 18 months of reliable operations, the customer remains very pleased with the performance.

In addition to optimizing the network and reducing water leakage, with only one spare unit for all 12 lines, the customer has also reduced its inventory costs.

• Easy to install
• No process interruption
• No pressure drop
• High reliability
• Low maintenance
• Long term stability and drift characteristics
• Wide turndown ratio

For more information on Panametrics products or to talk to an expert please click > here

You can contact the Panametrics Tech Support and Customer Care Team > here