If the current presence of flow in a piping system should be monitored, a calorimetric flow switch ? also referred to as a flow monitor ? is often used. But how does a calorimetric flow switch actually work? The following blog post explains this in more detail.
Calorimetric flow switches, which are often also referred to as thermal flow monitors, use the physical laws of heat transport in flows. A distinction is actually made between two technical solutions: continuous and regulated heating.
Schematic illustration of a measuring probe for a calorimetric flow switch
Continuous heating
A flow switch that is based on the calorimetric measuring principle consists of a measuring probe with two temperature sensors integrated into it (see illustration). One of the sensors is heated continuously with the aid of a heating element (wire-wound) with a constant heating power and measures the temperature at the heating element. The next sensor determines the temperature of the medium in the pipe. Consequently, a temperature difference occurs between the two sensors, that is registered by the electronics. The higher the flow velocity of the medium in the offing, small this temperature difference is. The foundation for this may be the cooling effect of flowing media. Largest in the medium, which are flowing at night probe tip, collect ?packages of heat? and transport Master . The more molecules flow past, the greater the cooling effect. The quantity of molecules passing by increases continuously with increasing flow velocity.
Regulated heating
The measuring probe is basically identical in design: You can find two temperature sensors in the medium, one of that may be heated. In this technical solution, the heating power is regulated so the temperature difference between your two temperature sensors is kept constant throughout. Consequently, because the flow velocity increases, the heating power must be increased in order to keep how big is the temperature difference constant. The applied heating power is thus a direct measure of the flow velocity in the medium.
Note
Do you have further questions on the measuring principle behind the calorimetric flow switch or do you need help with selecting such a product? In its portfolio, WIKA has a calorimetric flow switch for monitoring the flow of liquid media (model FSD-3). Your contact person will undoubtedly be happy to help you.