• Flow measurement service often necessary for sizing of rating

• Leak detection service often useful for maintenance

You will find out on this page why fluids such as compressed air, nitrogen, cooling water, superheated water and steam may need measurement results or leak detection.

The following section will briefly present what can be done by the Airprofil Campaigns engineers and some examples of what has been done recently (November 2006).

1. Industrial fluids
Airprofil Campaigns will measure flows or detect leaks with most industrial fluids

1.1 Compressed air

Compressed air flow measurements are frequently used to help sizing a new compressed air installation or save energy. The specific energy of 7 bars compressed air dried at a dew point (under pressure) of +2 °C is, at best, between 115 and 120 Wh/NCM. It may be much higher. Usual price of one Normo Cubic Meter (NCM) is around 0.01 €.

Measurement campaigns may include flow, pressure, dew point temperature and electrical power measurements between 7 and 10 days.

Leak detections campaigns are realized with an ultrasound detector.

1.2 Nitrogen and Argon leaks

Big quantities of low quality nitrogen are used in many chemical plants for fire or explosion prevention.

Nitrogen flows can be measured just as compressed air flows.

Nitrogen leaks can be detected just as compressed air leaks.

Energy savings, however, are much higher, around 500 Wh/NCM. Usual price of one Normo Cubic Meter (NCM) is around 0.10 €. Nitrogen costs around 0.028 euro/NCM. Usual Argon's price is about 0.40 euro/NCM.

1.3 Cooling water

Cooling water flow measurements are often associated with temperature measurements.

Energy savings by mean of free cooling may be very important if cooling water is around 15°C, which is the case of some plastic industries.

1.5 Superheated water

Superheated water flows, up to 230°C, will be measured by non intrusive ultrasonic flowmeter.

1.6 Steam

Steam flows will be measured by insertion turbine or vortex.

2 Airprofil Campaigns

Airprofil Campaigns sometimes mean a very practical and physical labour. They always require commitment, training and experience in order to propose a useful interpretation of measurements results.

Airprofil Campaigns certainly has a measurement culture. We believe, as Lord Kelvin said, that " if we cannot measure it, we cannot improve it ! "

As a proof of this measurement culture, in mars 2007, Airprofil Campaigns measured compressed air flows and electrical power in 6 Leroy Somer plants in Angouleme (France).

3. Flow Measurement Campaigns

3.1 Non Intrusive Flow Measurement Campaigns

In the case of liquids, ultrasonic flow measurements have become very reliable and usual. Airprofil Campaigns, however, can provide many simultaneous flow measurements, if needed. This proves useful in order to reduce the duration of certain flow measurement campaigns.

In the case of gases, including compressed air and nitrogen, a sufficient pressure is needed, except in the case of plastic pipes, which are easily measured even at atmospheric pressure.

3.2 Hot Tap Insertion Flow Measurements Campaigns

Whenever ultrasonic flowmeters are not able to give a precise or stable measurement, insertion flow measurement may be feasible.

Airprofil Campaigns can fix a flowmeter into a hot tap in the case of water or compressed air up to 8 bars Gauge, DN50 to DN400.

This will allow a flow measurement campaign without delay even if you cannot stop your compressed air or water.

3.3 Leak Detection Campaigns

Leak detections campaigns use 3 different technologies :

• Ultrasound detection for most compressed air or nitrogen leaks

• Acoustic detection and location for buried pipes

• Ultrasound and contact temperature measurement for steam condensate traps.

3.4 Net Design Campaigns

It may be needed to draw the map of the existing net for a fluid, and then try to improve it.

• You may be interested in becoming a partner of Airprofil Campaigns in your country. As we are now developing worldwide, we would be happy to hear from you.

• Contact us at: contact@airprofil-campaigns.com

• You can call François BOUTEILLE at: +33612 156 155.