Problem

One of the largest Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) desalination plants in the MEATI region (Middle East, Africa, Turkey and India) asked a Panametrics Channel Partner to verify its existing magnetic flowmeters. Because magnetic flow measurement requires periodic calibration, the plant’s maintenance team wanted a practical verification method suited to both permanent and portable installations on large-diameter pipes. The pipework itself added to the challenge, combining HDPE (high-density polyethylene) and GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) pipe ranging from 800 mm to 1600 mm (32″ to 64″) in diameter. Measurements were needed at the pipeline’s outlet from the SWRO plant, feeding the distribution network, so that flow readings taken next to the existing magnetic flowmeters could be used for an accurate water balance calculation.

Application

The customer needed an accurate, repeatable flow measurement solution that was easy to install and would not interrupt plant operations — mechanically modifying the existing inline magnetic flowmeters on the water network was not an option. After trialling several clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters, the Channel Partner demonstrated Panametrics’ technology with a dual-traverse installation on the 1200 mm GRP pipeline, mounting two transducers on the same side of the pipe. Compared with the competing options tested, the customer found the Panametrics setup delivered faster, more accurate and more reliable results.

The successful demonstration used TransPort PT900 and AquaTrans AT600 ultrasonic clamp-on flow meters, achieving a 1–2% match against the existing magnetic flowmeters and confirming their performance. Following the demo, the customer placed an order and now runs a permanent flow meter solution — combining 1 MHz and 0.5 MHz transducers — on the SWRO plant’s main outlet line, together with a portable unit for periodic checks on the permanent magnetic flowmeters. Despite the large pipe sizes and demanding pipe materials, the customer now benefits from a dual-traverse installation whose accuracy and reliability support process monitoring, an accurate plant balance, and improved overall efficiency and productivity.