Flow Measurement – Technology Selection
Flow technology selection depends on conductivity, viscosity, phase, installation constraints and process conditions. The following engineering rules help determine the correct Endress+Hauser flow technology.
Electromagnetic Flow
Suitable for conductive liquids such as water, wastewater, slurries and chemicals. Requires full-pipe conditions and stable flow. Not suitable for hydrocarbons or demineralised water.
Coriolis Flow
Ideal for mass flow, density and multi-variable measurement. Handles viscous, non-conductive and high-value liquids. Performs well with entrained gas.
Ultrasonic Flow
Best for non-intrusive measurement, retrofits and large pipes. Works well for clean liquids; performance reduces with high solids.
Vortex Flow
Suitable for steam, compressed air and industrial gases. Provides compensated energy calculations.
Thermal Mass Flow
Used for compressed air and industrial gases where direct mass flow is required.
Level Measurement – Technology Selection
Level technology selection depends on dielectric constant, tank geometry, turbulence, foam, vapour and solids behaviour. Below is a practical selection framework.
Radar
Best for liquids, slurries and solids. Immune to temperature, pressure and vapour. High-frequency radar improves performance in narrow or dusty vessels.
Guided Wave Radar
Ideal for interface measurement, tall vessels and low dielectric media. Handles turbulence and foam better than free-space radar.
Ultrasonic
Suitable for water and wastewater. Performance decreases with heavy vapour, foam or dust.
Vibration Switches
Used for pump protection, overfill prevention and safety applications. Immune to density and viscosity changes.
Pressure Measurement – Application Engineering
Pressure transmitter selection depends on process media, temperature, overpressure risk, diaphragm material and installation constraints.
Gauge & Absolute Pressure
Suitable for general process pressure. Metal diaphragms handle high pressure and temperature. Ceramic cells are preferred for abrasive or corrosive media.
Differential Pressure
Used for flow measurement, level in pressurised tanks and filter monitoring. Remote seals improve performance in hot or viscous applications.
Hydrostatic Level
Ideal for boreholes, reservoirs and tanks with stable density. Not suitable where density varies significantly.
Temperature Measurement – Selection Rules
Temperature selection depends on response time, hygienic requirements, process temperature and mechanical constraints.
RTD Sensors
High accuracy and stability. Best for food, life sciences and general industry.
Thermocouples
Suitable for high-temperature applications such as furnaces, boilers and thermal oil systems.
Temperature Transmitters
Improve signal integrity, reduce noise and support HART or fieldbus communication.
Analytical Measurement – Choosing the Right Sensor
Analytical selection depends on process chemistry, fouling potential, cleaning cycles and regulatory requirements.
pH & ORP
Digital sensors reduce drift and improve calibration integrity. Suitable for water, chemicals and food processes.
Conductivity
Inductive sensors suit high-conductivity or fouling media; conductive sensors suit low-conductivity applications.
Turbidity
Optical sensors provide accurate solids and clarity measurement for drinking water and wastewater.
Dissolved Oxygen
Optical DO sensors reduce maintenance and improve aeration control.
Installation & Sizing Considerations
Correct installation is critical for accuracy, reliability and lifecycle performance.
- Flow meters require correct straight-run lengths and full-pipe conditions.
- Radar must avoid obstructions, nozzles and agitators.
- Pressure tappings must be placed away from turbulence and dead legs.
- Temperature wells must be sized for response time and mechanical strength.
- Analytical sensors require correct immersion depth and flow conditions.
Diagnostics & Lifecycle Management
Modern Endress+Hauser devices support predictive maintenance and verification without process interruption.
- Verification tools detect sensor drift and fouling.
- Digital calibration records support audit compliance.
- Predictive diagnostics reduce unplanned downtime.
- Lifecycle documentation supports replacement planning.
When to Replace vs Repair
Replacement is recommended when accuracy degrades, models become obsolete, or process conditions change beyond original design limits.