Tecfluid S.A.

Damping system for variable area flowmeters

What is a damping system used for in a flowmeter? Nothing more graphic than a video to see the effect of using a damping system in our variable area flowmeter for gas or steam.

Through all these years as a manufacturer, we have had some cases in which the customer was initially reluctant to buy a flowmeter for gas with the float damping system due to cost savings. Finally, the instrument has not worked properly and it has been necessary to send it back to our facilities to install it, with the loss in time and transportation costs that this represents.

Normally the problem occurs in the form of a strong oscillation of the indicator needle making impossible to obtain a minimally reliable flow reading.

The first question that we usually ask to the customer that refers this symptom is “Does your flowmeter have a float damping system?” The client’s response is usually a “NO” with a strange voice tone.

The float damping system is especially effective in the measurement of low density gases at low pressure and with stainless steel floats, where oscillation of the float occurs with great frequency (it enters into resonance) making very difficult to read the flow. If these conditions occur in your application, it is recommended to install a damping system in your flowmeter.