Hoffer Mini-Flowmeter

Engineering Guide
MF SERIES FOR LOW which offers the optimum
FLOW APPLICATIONS combination of useful range,
New devices with low corrosion resistance and operating
flow measurement capability life for a particular application.
are increasingly in demand by
Bearing Selection
industrial and laboratory users
as requirements for accurate Bearings are chosen based
low flow measurement devices on media compatibility, desired
proliferate. turndown range, service life,
serviceability, cost, and accuracy
The Hoffer MF Series has
considerations. Several bearing
been developed to meet the
types are available including self-
need for a low flow
lubricating, ceramic hybrid ball
measurement device for service
bearings and sleeve constructions
on clean, low and moderate
in tungsten carbide and carbon
viscosity liquids, and for gas
composites.
measurement applications.
The side access port permits
The MF Series is a family
for rapid inspection and servicing
of low flow rate measurement
of the flowmeter internals
devices based on a pelton
including the bearings.
wheel like rotor. The measured
fluid is directed tangentially When selecting among
thru a velocity nozzle against several chemically compatible
the pelton rotor causing it to bearings, the ball bearing design
rotate. The motion of the rotor offers the highest accuracy and
is sensed by the pickup coil and widest usable range and may be
converted to a pulsing output considered the standard. It is
signal where the frequency is required for gas measurement
related to the flow rate, and the applications.
accumulated pulses are related Field bearing
to the total volume passing thru replacement
the flowmeter. m a y b e
performed
Materials Selection and without a
Construction significant shift
Selection of the materials in the original
of construction is usually calibration.
dictated by the requirements of Tungsten carbide offers the
performance, durability, media most durable bearing material in
compatibility, availability, and service conditions where it is
cost considerations. compatible, and will offer the
The materials of longest life in rugged industrial
construction for the MF Series are liquid service.
intended to provide a standard Hard carbon composite
flowmeter configuration which bearings offer properties which
will suit the requirements of a are nearly chemically inert to
broad base of industrial users. Our many corrosive fluids and are
applications group can assist you utilized for this reason in
in the selection of options that demanding applications.
will provide the construction
Flowmeter Pickup Selection coil produces a conditioned pulse The K-Factor is the number of
The flowmeter pickup coil output without the need of a pulses per unit volume produced by
senses the motion of the rotor and separate signal conditioner and my the flowmeter under a given set of
converts it to a pulsing electrical be transmitted up to 5,000 feet. conditions. Repeatability is a
signal which is of a discrete digital Since the flowmeter signal is measure of the stability of the output
conditioned directly at the under a given set of flowing
nature. Two basic pickup types are conditions. The repeatability is
offered for use with the MF Series flowmeter, this feature offers the
benefit of greater noise immunity defined as the allowable percentage
which will satisfy standard deviation from the stated K-factor.
electrical interface requirements for when transmitting through a noisy Other performance characteristics
turbine flowmeters. environment. When size or weight include the pressure drop characteristic
is an issue, the Redi-Pulse and output frequency range and are
The standard flowmeter pickup eliminates the need for
is a low drag magnetic type whose addressed in later sections.
conventional signal conditioners
self-generating output signal that are meter mounted in a
voltage is approximately junction box directly on top of the ELECTRONIC LINEARIZATION
sinusoidal. The amplitude of the ACCESSORIES FOR THE MF
flowmeter. Redi-Pulse coils are SERIES
output signal is a function of flow certified with the CE mark for
rate, with a minimum signal Several methods are available
compliance with EMC Directive to reduce the inherent nonlinearity of
strength which is greater than 30 89/336/EEC. See Redi-Pulse
mVp-p. The standard maximum the MF Series flowmeter. The most
technical data sheet for more economical method of linearization
frequency ranges at the flowmeter's information and detailed
full scale capacity are offered at is by offset frequency injection. In
specifications on this coil. this method, a signal equal to the
1000, 2000, and 3000 Hz. This
signal may be transmitted up to 200 offset frequency of the
feet without preamplification and is Performance Characteristics Mini-Flowmeter is injected
electronically to the actual output of
directly compatible with many The basic performance the flowmeter. The result effectively
instruments. A flow range of 10:1 characteristics of the shifts the output characteristic to that
is common with this pickup type on Mini-Flowmeter are depicted in of the ideal. A number of low cost
liquid applications. Figures 1 and 2. The MF Series
establishes a linear response after an linearizers are available for Hoffer
The Redi-Pulse pickup coil, initial offset correction when Signal Conditioners/Converters and
offered in a magnetic type for the operated at a constant viscosity. Indicator Instrument Series.
MF Series, includes a self- Over the linear flow range, the Factory calibrations normally
contained preamplifier within the input/output characteristic takes the provide the user with a precalibrated
pickup coil housing. The pickup following form: Mini-Flowmeter and Converter
calibrated to the users specifications.
Equation 1
Frequency=C1 X Flow rate - C2 Hazardous and Weatherproof Coil
The Mini-Flowmeter Enclosures
requires the use of a The explosion-proof
l i n e a r i z a t io n co n d it i o n e r requirements of UL Class I, Div 1
available in all Hoffer flow are implemented by enclosing the
pickup coil in a suitably rated
measurement instrumentation. housing. Signal Conditioner/
Accuracies of ±1% of reading Converters may also be mounted
typical after initial correction within this enclosure. Addition of an
for offset. Better accuracies "O" Ring provides an additional
approaching ±0.2% are possible NEMA-4 rating. Intrinsically safe
meter systems are also available.
using flow computers which can
store the entire characteristics of
Installation Requirements
the Mini-Flowmeter.
The MF Series is capable of
sensing fluid flow in one
direction only. The flowmeter
may be installed with the pickup
coil in either a vertical or
horizontal position.
Filtration to at least 100 microns
is recommended to prolong the
life of the flowmeter and
prevent damage to the bearings.
Flow pulsation should be
minimized through the
application of pulsation
dampeners before the
flowmeter.
Standard Specifications Figure 4
End Fitting Type: 1/2" MS-33656-8 (Std.
others available upon request) Flow Rate Capability with Ball Bearings
Linear Range Repeatable Repeatable
Physical: Flowmeter
Operating Pressure: Size MIN MAX MIN MAX
1000 PSI (standard) GPM CC/M GPM CC/M GPM CC/M GPM CC/M
6000 PSI (optional) MF20 .015 57 .049 185 .007 26.5 .065 250
MF30 .017 65 .120 450 .0085 32.0 .150 575
Operating Temperature: MF40 .020 75 .150 575 .010 38.0 .200 750
Mag. Pickup: -450 to +450º F MF50 .023 85 .200 750 .013 50.0 .350 1325
High Temp. Pickup: -450 to +850º F MF60 .025 95 .250 950 .015 57.0 .500 1900
MF70 .050 190 .500 1900 .030 115 .750 2850
Materials: MF80 .075 285 .750 2850 .040 150 1.00 3750
Housing: 316 Stainless Steel MF90 .085 325 .850 3200 .050 200 1.25 4750
Bearing: Ceramic Hybrid Ball Bearings
MF100 .100 375 1.00 3750 .060 225 1.60 6000
(self-lubricating)
MF125 .130 490 1.30 4900 .075 275 2.10 8000
Tungsten Carbide Sleeve
MF150 .200 750 2.00 7500 .080 300 3.00 11500
(optional)*
MF175 .300 1150 3.00 11500 .100 375 3.50 13250
Carbon Composite Sleeve
(optional)* *When tungsten carbide or carbon composite sleeve bearings are specified, only the linear ranges are
Rotor: 17.4 PH (standard) available as the minimum flow rate is affected due to bearing drag. The MF20 and MF30 are not available
with sleeve bearings.
430 Stainless Steel (optional)
Ni 200 (optional)
Seal: Rulon-J (standard, others Figure 5
available)
Gross Pressure Drop Characteristic on Water for the
MF Series on Liquid Service
MF SERIES FOR LIQUID
APPLICATIONS
The liquid MF Series
offers measurement capability
from .007 to 3.5 GPM in twelve
overlapping ranges for service on
clean, low viscosity liquids.
Size selection may be
accomplished by referring to
Figure 4 after giving
consideration to the service,
construction, and the maximum
allowable pressure drop.
Fluid viscosity effects
should be considered when the
liquid's temperature will be
varying significantly in actual
service.
Adequate back pressure on
the flowmeter should also be
maintained to avoid cavitation
which may result in metering
errors.
It should be observed that
with the standard magnetic
pickup, no preamplifier is
required in many flow indicator
applications and can transmit up was designed for serviceability. The limits to a straight line at a constant
to 200 feet. The Redi-pulse mag ball bearings may be replaced in the viscosity after offset correction.
pickups are available and can field with no special tools or repair
transmit up to 5000 feet. skills. Sleeve bearing designs are
available for the MF 40 to 175 sizes.
Selection Considerations The widest flow turndown range The ruggedness of the tungsten
and best performance on viscous carbide configurations makes it
The standard liquid MF Series service is achieved with a ball attractive for industrial applications
flowmeter consists of the basic device bearing design . The sizing chart requiring long life. Carbon
equipped with a magnetic pickup and lists the usable range for this composite bearing designs may be
self-lubricating ball bearings. The construction. The linear range listed used in corrosive applications. Such
f l o w r a t e c a p a b i l i ty o f t h i s is that range over which the designs will offer greater operating
configuration is detailed in the size flowmeter frequency characteristic life if sized to operate toward the
selection chart. This configuration will maintain the ±1% linearity bottom of the flowmeter range.
 The pressure drop characteristics are given based on MF SERIES FOR GAS APPLICATIONS
water at a viscosity of 1 Cpse and a specific gravity of MF Series meters may be used for gas flow
1.0. For other fluids, the following equation may be used measurement and come in 6 overlapping sizes detailed in
to estimate the pressure drop across the Mini-Flowmeter Figure 7. Specific criteria must be met when using the
given the pressure drop on water at the maximum flow MF Series on gas flow applications. Those criteria
rate and the fluids viscosity and density. include constant gas pressure and constant gas
Equation 2: PSID=(Cpse)¼ X (SpGr)3/4 x PSID(H2O) temperature. There is no effective method for
compensating the output of the MF Series due to
where changing pressure and temperature. Additionally, MF
Cpse is viscosity in centipoise Series meters must be air or gas calibrated in order to
produce accurate results. Consult the factory for specific
SpGr is the specific gravity sizing and calibration recommendations.
PSID(H2O) is pressure drop from Figure 5
Figure 7
Specifications for Liquid Applications Mini-Flow Gas Meter Capacity
Output Frequency Range: 50 to 1000 Hz (3333 Hz
Maximum) Flowmeter Maximum Flow Rate
Linearity: ±1.0% reading (over 10:1 range) Size ACFM
Linear Range: 10:1 turndown with magnetic pickups MF30 0.05
and ball bearings MF50 0.10
Usable Flow Range: 25:1 with ball bearings MF80 0.20
Repeatability: ±0.1% typ. (±0.25% worst case)
MF90 0.30
Reference conditions: 1 cstk. test fluid at 70° F
MF125 0.50
Viscosity Effects MF175 1.00
An ideal flowmeter may be defined as one in which
the output is solely a function of the fluid flow being Special Configurations
measured. Real flowmeters display dependencies on The physical configurations for the MF Series is
secondary fluid properties, such as viscosity, temperature, intended to suit the diverse requirements of the industrial
and/or pressure. These effects tend to obscure or degrade users. Requests for other configurations, intended to satisfy
the precision of the flow measurement. special requirements, may be directed to the applications
In selecting a MF Series flowmeter for operation on group at Hoffer for review and recommendations.
a viscous fluid, it is generally preferable to size the
Installation and Adapter Kits
flowmeter so it will be operated in the higher portion of
its range to minimize viscosity effects in the Installation kits serve a two fold purpose, the first of
measurement. Some which is to ease customer installation. The second is to
loss in flow turn- Figure 6 facilitate adapting from the MS 33656-8 fitting on the
flowmeter to the desired user end fitting. Flow straighteners
down range may VISCOSITY EFFECTS ON MF175
are not required.
be expected.
1 CSTK
The kit consists of two lengths of 1/2" stainless steel
tubing with one end flared and the length cut to an
5 CSTK
appropriate size. The mating sleeves and nuts are also
1000 20 CSTK provided.
The kits may be conveniently butt welded into the user's
piping. Alternately, the kits may be provided with NPT or
flanged connections to facilitate installation into existing
Output Frequency (Hz)

lines.
500
Strainers/Filters
Installation of a suitable strainer / filter reduces or
eliminates the potential of bearing damage by a foreign body.
Such devices also maximize the life of the flowmeter since
bearing life is maximized when contaminating particles are
0
Flow Rate (GPM) 1.5 3.0 removed prior to passage through the flowmeter. The
suggested filtration recommendation is 100 microns or better.

HOFFER FLOW CONTROLS, INC.

107 Kitty Hawk Lane, P. O. Box 2145, Elizabeth City, NC 27906-2145 The quality system covering the
800-628-4584 252-331-1997 FAX 252-331-2886 design, manufacture and testing of
www.hofferflow.com email: info@hofferflow.com our products is certified to Interna-
The specifications contained herein are subject to change without notice and any user of said specifications tional Standard ISO 9001.
should verify from the manufacturer that the specifications are currently in effect. Otherwise, the manufacturer
assumes no responsibility for the use of specifications which may have been changed and are no longer in
effect. MF-103F