Micronics portable flowmeter provide measurement solution on ground source heat pump installation.
HT Energy a specialist in Renewable Heating and Cooling used a Micronics Portaflow 220 to measure the flow rate of the fluid passing through a pipe without having to install a mechanical flowmeter. Howard Tribick, Managing Director of North Norfolk based HT Energy was very pleased to have discovered the simple to use device. “For quite a while I was looking for a device that could measure the flow rate of a fluid passing through a pipe without having to break into it. The ultrasonic route was very attractive as it did just this and can be used time and time again. Originally we were having trouble with a ground source heat pump and the resistance of a long run of pipe down to a lake which we were using for renewable energy source. We could not see the actual flow rate on an old manifold which had inline flow meters on it as the windows were discoloured.” Howard Tribick searched the internet for a model which would suit his needs at the right price. There was no need for a unit which measured very large pipes as HT Energy only deal with diameters from 15mm to 100mm so this was a factor in his choice of unit. It also had to be portable and easy to set up. He found Micronics after searching for portable ultrasonic flow meters and after assuring himself that the Portaflow would meet his requirements placed an order there and then. “The Micronics staff pushed the boat out to have one dispatched to me within a couple of days which suited my schedule.” Once the Portaflow 220 arrived it was used on the glycol system that HT Energy were having issues with and they were able to see that a higher flow rate was needed to make the system work. At this point they installed an additional circulation pump to overcome the resistance in the pipe and were able to commission the speed exactly to maximise the efficiency of heat pump system. Since then they have used the unit on heating pipe work, other glycol systems and even domestic hot and cold water system with great success.
The Portaflow can be used without having to cut into the pipes and, consequently very limited downtime was necessary, which was important to HT Energy. This device is very simple to use – there is no overhead for additional fittings, plant modification, or retro-fit. The Portaflow represented significant savings on installation costs and less disruption than when installing an alternative in-line meter. The Micronics clamp-on flowmeter for liquids is portable, easy to use and offers continuity and long term reliability. Howard is very enthusiastic about Micronics flowmeters. “My Project Manager, 3 more of our heating engineers and I would recommend this unit as a very useful piece of kit for any plumbing and heating engineer dealing with flow issues or as a commissioning tool.”
For further information on this project or the Micronics range call Micronics on +44(0)1628 810456, or visit www.micronicsflowmeters.com.
