SoundWater Technologies recently released a new T305 ultrasonic transducer that allows users to work with pipe sizes as large as 72" in diameter. In a recent case study, Dykman Electrical, Inc. helped their customer successfully measure flow rate and total usage on old 36" steel pipe with cement lining using SoundWater's Cypress ultrasonic flowmeter and its new T305 low frequency ultrasound transducer.

For any transit time ultrasonic flowmeter to make a flow measurement, its ultrasound must transmit all the way through the pipe and fluid (from the transmitter to receiver). This allows the flowmeter to receive an ultrasound signal. As pipes age and internal lining become corroded and/or deteriorate, the ultrasound can become effected and scatter.

A winning solution includes four features:

1. add more power at the transmitter,

2. design efficient power transfer from electronics to transducers and to pipe-fluid,

3. design reliable signal processing of small signals, and

4. optimize the ultrasound frequency for the pipe conditions.

At SoundWater we are committed to excellence in everything we do, and we excel at each of these points. The result is a better product that works as conditions get more challenging.

For large pipes, corrosion, particulated fluids, and/or internal linings, SoundWater released the T305 ultrasound transducer. This is a lower frequency transducer (500kHz) is electrically and mechanically tuned for efficient power transfer to and from the pipe. The lower frequency transducer also attenuates far less as it travels through pipes such as the ones outlined here. This results in more power transferred through the system, as well as more reliable and accurate measurements.

At the recent Dykman installation, the received signal amplitude was very strong - and the flowmeter still had the ability to drive up the output and receiver another 20x if needed, allowing the ultrasonic flowmeter to continue measuring even if the system deteriorates over time.

We also compared the T305 transducer signal to a higher frequency transducer and found its signal nearly 100x greater! This turns a more challenging installation into an easy one.

For those larger pipes, older pipes, cement linings, or particulated fluids, consider the -T305 ultrasound transducer for best performance.

Note: We also really liked this customers customized steel security enclosure over their flowmeter - well done!