Ultrasonic Flow Level 1

Basic Terms and Definitions of
Ultrasonics
Terms and Definitions
Ultrasound
Attenuation
Speed of Sound
Transducer
Signal Strength
Signal Quality
Transit Time
Delta T
Amplitude Discriminator
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GE Title or job number /
3/22/2013
What is Ultrasound?
- Frequency (f)
Subsonic 0 to 20 Hz
Audio 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Ultrasonic >20kz
Ultrasound is a sound wave that has a specific

frequency, which is above the human range to
hear.
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Ultrasound
Different materials require different frequencies.
Solids 1.0 MHz to 100 MHz
Frequency, f
Liquids 0.25 MHz to 5 MHZ
Gases 20 kHz to 200 kHz
Density,
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There are three ways to
reduce or lose a sound wave
Dissipation
Reflection
Absorption
This is called Attenuation

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Dissipation
a sound wave travels until it is reduced or lost
Reflection
a sound wave bounces off objects until it is
reduced or lost
Absorption
a sound wave is absorbed by the medium until it is
reduced or lost
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How does that affect
Ultrasonics?
In Ultrasonics we need a Balance of Frequency and
Accuracy vs. Attenuation
We have to have the correct transducer

frequency for the medium, and the correct
distance from one transducer to another to get
a accurate measurement.
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Speed of Sound (c)
Speed of Sound Examples:
How Fast a Sound Wave SS = 6500 m/s (10970 FT/s)
Moves Through a Given H2O = 1500 m/s (4900 FT/s)
Medium Air = 330 m/s (1100 FT/s)
@ 25C
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Transducer
TRANSMIT
Electrical Energy V V V
Mechanical Energy
Mechanical Energy
Electrical Energy
Piezoelectric Effect
Transducer is Both RECEIVE
Transmitter and
V
Receiver V V
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Signal Strength
Signal Strength is the strength of the received signal.
Think of it this way
Can you hear me now?
If you have two people talking , Signal strength is how much energy
each person is using to hear.
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Signal Quality
Signal Quality is a comparison of the received signal to the transmitted
signal.
Heres another way to think of it
If signal strength is me hearing then signal quality is you

understanding what you heard. 11 /
3/22/2013
Transit Time
Transit Time is the time taken for the sound wave to travel between
transducers.
Flow
Direction
Acoustic
Flowcell Signals
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Delta T
Delta T is the time difference between Upstream
and Downstream transit times
T up T dn = Delta T
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Amplitude
Amplitude is the change in the strength of the transmitted signal, based on
noise.
In other words
Its the adjustment of an amplifier.

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Basic Ultrasonic Theory
Theory of Operations
Transit Time is the time it
We know that ____________
takes for a signal to travel from one
Transducer
_____________to another.
The transducers are located in the upstream

and downstream positions, think of it like a 16 /
river
3/22/2013
Delta T is the difference between transit time up

and transit time down.
Tup-Tdn=Delta T
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As flow increases the signal from the up
stream transducer gets faster
Up Stream
flow
Down Stream
The downstream signal gets slower, due

to the increase flow
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The meter uses the Delta t and the area of pipe

to calculate flow.
That is the theory of Ultrasonic measurement.
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Basics Diagnostics of a
Ultrasonic meter
Diagnostics
We know that the transducers talk to each
other, What do you think the most important
diagnostic would be and Why?
Signal Strength
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Diagnostics
Signal Strength
Limits
55-60 65-70 Hardware
Hardware ok Very good failure
failure
0 100
0-50 bad, check 50-55 60-65
programming low good
70-99
Saturated
signal
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Diagnostics
If signal strength is the transducers
listening, What would we call if the
transducers understood what they
heard?
Signal Quality
Signal Quality
Signal Quality
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Diagnostics
Signal Quality
Limits
+/- 400 +/-400 to +/-1200 to +/-thousands

bad +/-1200 good
Ok
Bad good
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Diagnostics
Name: P number
Description: 0 500 1000
Location of Trigger Point on signal 100 900
Operation:
Receive Window width 1000 Data Points
Nominal Center 500

0 500 1000
As Flow Increases P# UP/P# DN
Separates 100 900
As SNDSP changes the location of the P#

in the receive window changes
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Diagnostics
Transit Time Up/Down is a
good diagnostic?
T dn
No Flow, TUP = TDOWN

Flow
Flow, TUP and TDOWN
Separate
T up
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Diagnostics
DELTA T
Effects
Flow Velocity (only)
Operation
DELTA T is a Stability Parameter
DELTA T Should Vary Only as T dn
Process Varies
Look for Possible Cycles Skip in
Difficult Applications Flow
T up
27 /
DELTA T = TUP - TGEDOWN
Title or job number /
3/22/2013
Diagnostics
Amplitude Discriminator
Limits Response
24 Amp Up/Dn Reacts to Flow
Dynamics Change
0 100
Amp Up/Dn Indicates Second-
Phase
Operation
Amp Up/Dn Reacts to Impact
+/-1 Typical Normal Low Flow
Noise (liquid drops)
+/-3 Typical Moderate Flow
+/-5 Maximum (High Flow)
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Diagnostics
How can we tell what is flowing through the pipe?
Everything has a Sound Speed
Gas Steam Liquid
133 M/s 457 M/s 701 M/s 1828 M/s

436 F/s 1500 F/s 2300 F/s 6000 F/s
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Parts and Terms
PA
PA
TA
L
t Dn
L = Axial Separation Flow
ID
P = Acoustic Path
tU = Transit Time Upstream P
tD = Transit Time Downstream t up
ID = Internal Pipe Diameter
TA = Process Temperature
PA = Process Pressure
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Liquid Ultrasonic Flowmeters
Table of Content
1. PT878
2. XMT868 (XMT868I)
3. DF868
4. AT868
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PT878 flow meter
Single channel
Compact size (3 lbs)
Built-In 8 hour rechargeable battery
Stores site data: 20 + sites
Thickness gauge
One 4 to 20 mA analog outputs
Two 4 to 20 mA analog inputs
Language Translations
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DF868
Single Channel or Two-
Channel/Two-Path
NEMA 4X package standard
Programming and
troubleshooting via
external keypad or
Panametrics IDM software
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DF868
RS232 digital communication port
standard
Two analog outputs standard
Space available for six additional
option boards.
Analog output
Analog input
RTD input
Totalizer/Frequency output
Alarm
Modbus
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XMT868
Single Channel or
Two-Channel/Two-
Path
Available with or
without 2 line display
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XMT868
RS232 digital
communication port
standard, Modbus &
RS485 also available
Two analog outputs
standard
Space available for one
additional option board
Analog output
Analog input
RTD input
Totalizer/Frequency output 37 /
Alarm GE Title or job number /

3/22/2013
AT868
For Water/Wastewater
Program and
troubleshoot by internal
keypad OR with
Panametrics IDM
software via RS232
serial port
Two line 16 digit LCD
Display
1 or 2 channel
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AT868
One 4 to 20 mA output
Internal keypad for data

entry
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Liquid Applications for
Ultrasonic meters
Clamp on vs. Wetted
What is the difference between clamp

on and wetted?
Clamped on the outside of the pipe and
wetted is in the process
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Clamp on vs. Wetted
Clamp-On Wetted
Easy Installation More work to Install
Low Cost Costs More
Little Maintenance Little or No Maintenance
2% to 5% Accuracy Up to 1% Accuracy with
Portable Calibration
4, 2, 1 and 0.5 MHz Non-Portable
1 and 0.5 MHz
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Liquid Transducers:
What are the deciding factors when choosing

transducers?
1. Temperature.
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Liquid Transducers:
Another factor is the Size of pipe.
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Liquid Transducers:
Another good one is Process.
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Liquid Transducers:
The last thing!!!
Frequency Selection
Balance : Frequency/Accuracy vs. Attenuation
We need to have the correct frequency of

the transducer to go through the
material.
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Liquid Transducers: Clamp-On
Pipe Size - " to 2"
CF-LP Only
4 MHz for most applications
2 MHz for 1/2" to 2"
Temp Range = -40C to 120C
General Purpose Areas
Cable Limitations
PT878 = 10 ft (3 m)
DF868 = 500 ft (152 m)
XMT868 = 500 ft (152 m)
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Liquid Transducers: Clamp-On
Pipe Size - 2" to 200"

C-RS, C-PT or OKS
1 MHz Primarily
0.5 and 2 MHz available
Temp ranges vary
Hazardous Locations
Cable Limitations - 1000 ft
(304 m)
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Liquid Transducers: Wetted
Pipe Sizes 2" to 200"
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W T-1/1P
Temperature Range with
extended
Normal Temp well
design
-40C to +174C
W T-1/1P
High Temp - Buffer Rod
-200C to +325C
BPA/BWT System Various
BW Ts
BPA = -200C to +315C
FTPA = -200C to +600C
Consult Factory
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Frequency Selection
1MHz
0.5 MHz
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Liquid Transducers: Summary
Considerations
Clamp-on vs. Wetted
Pipe Size
Check Your Temperature
High Frequency vs. Low Frequency
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Installation & Components
Application Considerations
Pipe materials and position
Fluid
Buildup
Condition
Traverses
Tips
Orientation and straight run requirements

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Pipe Material
Metals Plastics
Carbon Steel Polypropylene
Stainless Steel
Polyethylene
Copper
Aluminum PVC
Cast Iron CPVC
Brass PVDF
Ductile Iron
Nylon
Acrylic 54 /
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Pipe Size
Overall Range: 1/2 to 200 (12 mm to 5 m)
Transducer Frequency
1.0 MHz for standard applications
0.5 MHz for large pipes
4.0 MHz for small pipes
2.0 MHz for special applications
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Large Pipes
Sometime require
special fixturing of the
transducer onto the
pipe; usually dependent
upon the pipe material.
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Position
Full Pipes Only
o Accuracy
o Signal Loss
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Position
Mount the Transducers on

the Sides of the Pipe
(Preferred Position: 3 and 9 oclock)
To avoid bubbles and

sediments.
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Pipe Condition
Inside Build Up
Attenuation
Transducer frequency ID VS ID
Accuracy
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Pipe Condition
Clean Outside Surface (to
eliminate bumpscaused
by rust and excessive
amount of paint)
Also, dont forget to use
couplant (for good contact)
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Traverses
Single vs. Double Traverse:
TOP TOP
VIEW VIEW
L/2
Transducer Location:
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Tips
Transducer Alignment
Good Signal Strength
Accurate Soundspeed
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Liquid Flow Application
Considerations
Piping Orientation VERTICAL PIPES
HORIZONTAL PIPES
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Considerations
Piping Orientation
Horizontal = Good
Vertical Flowing Up = Good
Ensures full pipe
Vertical Flowing Down = Less Desirable
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Considerations
Straight Run Requirements
Fully Developed Flow Profile
10 Upstream/5 Downstream Diameter 10 5
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Considerations
GOOD LOCATIONS
BAD LOCATIONS
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Considerations
Straight Run
Requirements
The more diameters
of straight run
available, the better
the measurement
will be
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Considerations
GOOD LOCATIONS BAD LOCATIONS
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Programming a Wetted
system
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Programming
Meter Setup
A. Select Units
B. Select Transducer
C. Select Pipe
D. Select process
E. Select P and L
F. Inputs and Outputs
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Programming
First access the programming menu

Select Units
The meter can default to either Metric or

English units.
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Programming
Select Transducer
Verify Transducer number and

frequency from Model number
T5 B C D E F
All wetted transducers will have a model number on it

72 /
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Programming
Frequency Transducer Material
Style
T5 B C D E F
Tube Length
Head
angle Temperature
Range 73 /
3/22/2013
Programming
Select Pipe
Select Pipe Material from List
Enter Dimensions
Outer Diameter (OD) or
Circumference (ODxPI)
Wall thickness
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Programming
Select process
Choose process from list or "Other"
for unlisted processes
If process not listed, specify the
nominal soundspeed only
Note: on a GF868 this is N/A 75 /

3/22/2013
Programming
Select P and L
P is the path length ( the distance from the face of one
transducer to the face of another).
L is the Axial length( the distance form center of

transducer to centerline of another
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Outputs
Single channel meters it will be under I/O
Dual channel meters it will be in Global I/O
Outputs = locate the slot position the wires are terminated (slot
1 output B), Enter the customers specified range of units to be
transmitted (i.e. 0 100 SCF/h). The meter will then ask for error
handling (i.e. Force low, force high, hold last value). This means if
the meter enters a error condition, the meter will send the 4-20 Ma
into error handling.
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Inputs
Single channel meters it will be under I/O
Dual channel meters it will be in Global I/O
Inputs = locate the slot position the wires are

terminated (slot 2 output B) from the transmitters,
Enter the customers specified range of units (i.e. 0 10
PSIg)
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Programming
Finish Up
Make sure that you have entered the correct information in

the meter, Bad programming = Bad measurement
Verify diagnostics
Take measurement
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Flow meter FAULT Conditions
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FAULT Conditions
ERROR E0
NAME: No Error/No Fault
FUNCTION:
Indicates Good Flow
Measurement/Clearing
Average Register
CAUSE:
End of Any Fault Condition
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FAULT Conditions
ERROR E1
NAME: Low Signal
FUNCTION:
Indicate Low Acoustic Receive Signal
CORRECTIVE ACTION:
CAUSE: Verify Cable Continuity
Bad Cable(s) Verify Programming
Bad Connection Verify Transducer Installation
Extremely Bad Programming Test with Demo Transducers
Deterioration of Transducer Couplant Test with Demo Cables
(BWT)
Bad Transducer(s)
LIMITS:
0-100 Upstream/Downstream 82 /
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FAULT Conditions
ERROR E2
NAME: Sound Speed
FUNCTION: LIMITS:
Indicate Measured Sound Speed is < or > +50% of Programmed Sound Speed
Program Sound Speed by Program Limit
CORRECTIVE ACTION:
CAUSE: Verify Program Parameters
Incorrect Pipe Dimensions Understand Process
Process Composition Change Verify Transducer Installation
Process Temperature Change Test with Demo Transducers
Poor Transducer Orientation
Pre-Amplifier Wired Backwards
Damaged or Disbonded Transducers
Poor Coax Connection
Bad Relays 83 /
3/22/2013
FAULT Conditions
ERROR E3
NAME: Velocity Range
LIMITS:
FUNCTION: GF868 -275 to 275 ft/sec
Indicate Calculated Velocity is Below or GM868 -150 to 150 ft/sec
Above Programmed Limit
CORRECTIVE ACTION:
CAUSE: E3 is a Transition Error (Usually
Extremely Negative / Positive Flow Follows E2 Corrective Action)
Loss of Signal
Poor Programming
Transition Error (Cause Effect of Another
Fault)
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FAULT Conditions
ERROR E4
NAME: Signal Quality
LIMITS:
Between +/-4001 to thousands
FUNCTION:
Indicate Low Signal Quality CORRECTIVE ACTION:
Understand Process
CAUSE: Verify Transducer Installation
Process Composition Change Test With Demo Transducers
Extreme Temperature Change Clean Transducers
Extreme Pressure Change Test Relays
Transducers Dirty / Build-up
Possible Relay Fail
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FAULT Conditions
ERROR E5
NAME: Amplitude Error
LIMITS:
Low =14 / High = 34
FUNCTION:
Indicate High-Limit / Low-Limit
Threshold on Received Signal Gain CORRECTIVE ACTION:
Increase/Decrease # of
Xmits Depending on
CAUSE: Process Conditions
Changing Process
Conditions/Composition
Fast Temperature Change
Fast Pressure Change
Intermittent Connection
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FAULT Conditions
ERROR E6
NAME: Cycle Skip / Accel
FUNCTION:
Indicate Calculated Delta t Exceeded CORRECTIVE ACTION:
Maximum Logical Limit Using Other Than 180 Degree
Transducers, Try Rotating Slightly
CAUSE:
Poor Correlation Signal Shape
Flow meter Software
Transducer Reaction to Process
87 /
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FAULT Conditions
ERROR E7
NAME: Analog Out Error LIMITS:
FUNCTION: 4.00 mA -0.01 mA
20.00 mA +0.01mA
Indicate 4-20 mA Analog Output Loop
above 4 and 20 mA Range
CORRECTIVE ACTION:
Recalibrate Analog Output
CAUSE: Understand Current Loop
No Current Loop Connected Configuration
Current Out is Above or Below Limit
Current Loop Resistance Too High
Current Output Out of Calibration
88 /
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FAULT Conditions
ERROR E8
NAME: Temperature Input
FUNCTION:
Indicate 4-20 mA Analog Input Loop is LIMITS:
4.00 mA -0.01 mA
Either Below 4 mA or Above 20 mA
20.00 mA +0.01mA
Range
CORRECTIVE ACTION:
CAUSE: Recalibrate Analog Input
No Current Loop Connected Recalibrate Temperature
Current Out is Above or Below Limit Transmitter
Understand Current Loop
Configuration
Temperature Transmitter is Out of
Calibration 89 /
3/22/2013
FAULT Conditions
ERROR E9
NAME: Pressure Input
FUNCTION: LIMITS:
Indicate 4-20 mA Analog Input Loop is 4.00 +/- 0.01 mA
Either Below 4 mA or Above 20 mA 20.00 +/- 0.01 mA
Range
CORRECTIVE ACTION:
Recalibrate Analog Input
CAUSE: Recalibrate Pressure Transmitter
No Current Loop Connected Understand Current Loop
Current Out is Above or Below Limit Configuration
Pressure Transmitter is Out of
Calibration
90 /
3/22/2013

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Ultrasonic Flow Level 1

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Basic Terms and Definitions of

Ultrasound is a sound wave that has a specific

Solids 1.0 MHz to 100 MHz

Gases 20 kHz to 200 kHz

This is called Attenuation

We have to have the correct transducer

Think of it this way

Can you hear me now?

Heres another way to think of it

If signal strength is me hearing then signal quality is you

Its the adjustment of an amplifier.

The transducers are located in the upstream

Delta T is the difference between transit time up

The downstream signal gets slower, due

The meter uses the Delta t and the area of pipe

That is the theory of Ultrasonic measurement.

+/- 400 +/-400 to +/-1200 to +/-thousands

Location of Trigger Point on signal 100 900

Nominal Center 500

As SNDSP changes the location of the P#

No Flow, TUP = TDOWN

Everything has a Sound Speed

Gas Steam Liquid

133 M/s 457 M/s 701 M/s 1828 M/s

NEMA 4X package standard

Alarm GE Title or job number /

Internal keypad for data

What is the difference between clamp

What are the deciding factors when choosing

Another factor is the Size of pipe.

Another good one is Process.

The last thing!!!

We need to have the correct frequency of

Pipe Size - 2" to 200"

Pipe Sizes 2" to 200"

Orientation and straight run requirements

Mount the Transducers on

(Preferred Position: 3 and 9 oclock)

To avoid bubbles and

Fully Developed Flow Profile

10 Upstream/5 Downstream Diameter 10 5

First access the programming menu

The meter can default to either Metric or

Verify Transducer number and

All wetted transducers will have a model number on it

Note: on a GF868 this is N/A 75 /

L is the Axial length( the distance form center of

Inputs = locate the slot position the wires are

Make sure that you have entered the correct information in

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