3. September 2026 by Bohuslav Bobrik Bohuslav Bobrik

Clamp-On Application for High Pressure Ethylene in EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) Production

APPLICATION NOTE

Petrochemical plant at dusk producing Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA)

Clamp-On Application for High Pressure Ethylene in EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) Production

Summary

Jiangsu Sierbang Petrochemical Co. Ltd in China produces Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), a copolymer resin valued for its lightweight and excellent foamability. The process is part of a polyethylene plant and requires high-pressure ethylene from reciprocating compressors, with the flow rate on this line needing to be accurately measured to keep the EVA produced within specification — too low a flow rate leads to an incomplete reaction. With pressure inside the pipeline reaching up to 200 MPa, flow meters that require cutting the pipe were not a safe option. Uncertain that a clamp-on solution could deliver the required accuracy at such pressure, the customer requested a field demonstration from the Panametrics team.

Fluid	Ethylene gas
Pipe	121 mm x 35 mm (4¾” x 1.38″), Carbon Steel
Process Temperature	20 °C (68 °F)
Process Pressure	195 MPa (28,282 psi)
Fluid Sound Speed	1,679 m/s

Benefits:

Low maintenance
No pressure drop
No interruption to operations
Safe measurement
Long-term stability and drift-free characteristics

Challenge

The application was for a DN100 (4″) line with a 35 mm wall thickness — the first time a Panametrics clamp-on flow meter had been used on such a thick 4″ gas line. There was concern that signal strength and SNR would be too weak, as the acoustic signal dissipates further outside a thicker pipe wall, risking measurement loss. The Panametrics team nonetheless carried out the demonstration to prove the quality of the technology under these extreme conditions.

Solution

After reviewing the site-specific process parameters, Panametrics confirmed its meter and transducer recommendation. At these working conditions, ethylene is in a supercritical state with a sound speed approaching 1,700 m/s — so Panametrics recommended its TransPort PT900 with CRS 401 transducers for the demonstration, a liquid meter design, fitted only with a CFG clamping fixture (intended for gas measurement) to ensure accurate transducer positioning. On-site installation went smoothly and testing was highly successful: the flowmeter displayed a sound speed of 1,679 m/s, matching the theoretical sound speed of ethylene at 20°C and 200 MPa. Impressed with the result, Jiangsu Sierbang Petrochemical has since adopted Panametrics’ clamp-on flowmeter technology, and several other customers are now requesting demonstrations of the same solution on thick-walled high-pressure gas lines.

Clamp-On Ultrasonic Flow Meter Panametrics TransPort PT900

Panametrics TransPort PT900

Source: Panametrics Application Note PANA103AN (panametrics.com) — © Panametrics LLC. Localized and prepared in cooperation with INTECH CONTROL, official Panametrics representative for Slovakia and Hungary.

1. September 2026 by Bohuslav Bobrik Bohuslav Bobrik

Flow Monitoring at a Sea Water Reverse Osmosis Plant Improves Water Distribution

APPLICATION NOTE

Sea Water Reverse Osmosis desalination plant

Flow Monitoring at a Sea Water Reverse Osmosis Plant Improves Water Distribution

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

Pipe Size	DN1200 (48″)
Material	GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic)
Wall Thickness	7 mm
Straight Runs	20D upstream / 15D downstream

Benefits:

Easy to set up
No mechanical modification
Superior technology
No process interruption
No downtime and acceptable accuracy / repeatability

PT900 clamp-on flow meter with transducers on a DN1200 GRP pipe

Challenge

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.

AquaTrans AT600 transducers mounted on a DN600 HDPE pipe

Solution

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.

AquaTrans AT600 local display showing a flow reading

Ultrasonic liquid flow meter Panametrics AquaTrans AT600

Datasheet (PDF) AquaTrans AT600

Source: Panametrics Application Note (panametrics.com) — © Panametrics LLC. Localized and adapted by INTECH CONTROL, official Panametrics representative in the Slovak Republic and Hungary.

1. September 2026 by Bohuslav Bobrik Bohuslav Bobrik

Brine Flow Measurement in a Geothermal Power Plant

APPLICATION NOTE

Brine Flow Measurement in a Geothermal Power Plant

Problem

Geothermal power plants harness hydrothermal resources containing both hot water (brine) and steam, with the steam driving turbines connected to electricity generators. Brine temperatures typically range from 140°C to 200°C depending on the well. A separator divides the two streams: steam flows on to the turbines, while the brine feeds the plant’s heat exchangers. Accurately measuring geothermal brine flow is essential to well efficiency — it lets operators optimize flow rates and calculate the right dose of scale and corrosion inhibitor needed to sustain or improve well productivity, which in turn can boost well yield and overall power generation capacity. Seeing an opportunity to improve its brine flow measurement process, a South-Eastern European geothermal energy company turned to Panametrics.

Application

Medium	Geothermal brine
Temperature	170°C (338°F)
Pressure	10 barg (145 psig)
Pipe	12″ Sch 40 CS
Flow rate	400 m³/h maximum (1.5 m/s) / 1,761 GPM (4.9 ft/s)

Benefits:

Easy to set up
Easy to operate
No process shutdown
No downtime and no periodic maintenance or calibration needed
Reliable

Flow measurement equipment at a geothermal wellhead

Challenge

The plant had previously relied on other flow measurement technologies to monitor brine, but differential-pressure and electromagnetic flow meters struggled under the harsh operating conditions: solid content caused erosion, and high temperatures took a toll on accuracy. Beyond the technical shortcomings, the customer was frustrated that repairing, refurbishing, or calibrating these meters required shutting the process down entirely, resulting in costly production losses during turnarounds.

Solution

To verify actual flow conditions, Panametrics carried out flow tests using the TransPort PT900 Portable Ultrasonic Flowmeter. Its built-in data logger let the team record and store readings from each well tested, while the battery-powered design meant flow rates could be confirmed at remote wellheads without any external power supply. Because the PT900 clamps onto the outside of the pipe, it could be installed quickly without interrupting the process — a feature the customer valued highly. Following a successful measurement campaign, the customer went on to install nine permanent AquaTrans AT600 flow meters fitted with high-temperature transducers. The plant now benefits from highly accurate, reliable flow measurement with zero downtime for calibration or unplanned repairs.

Ultrasonic liquid flow meter Panametrics AquaTrans AT600

Datasheet (PDF) AquaTrans AT600

Source: Panametrics Application Note (panametrics.com) — © Panametrics LLC. Localized and adapted by INTECH CONTROL, official Panametrics representative in the Slovak Republic and Hungary.

24. August 2026 by Bohuslav Bobrik Bohuslav Bobrik

Assessing Fire Pump Efficiency and Performance

APPLICATION NOTE

Assessing Fire Pump Efficiency and Performance

Problem

An electricity and water utility in the Middle East operates 400 substations across four regional zones. To monitor fire pump performance and efficiency against specification, the utility relied on variable-area (VA) and Venturi flow meters installed on the fire pump lines. Readings from the VA meters were unstable, and the accuracy of both meter types was in question. The utility needed an alternative measurement solution that would resolve these issues without costly mechanical modifications to the piping.

Application

Medium	Raw water
Pipe sizes	Various
Temperature	Ambient

Benefits:

More stable and accurate readings than the utility’s existing permanent meters
Clearer picture of fire pump performance — critical for safety
Positive results led the customer to order three additional units to equip all four zones

Solution

Panametrics’ local channel partner ran an on-site demonstration of the portable TransPort PT900 clamp-on flow meter at all four substations, showcasing its accuracy, performance, and ease of use compared with the existing meters. Convinced by the results, the customer purchased a unit in August 2018. It has since been used across multiple substations, consistently matching measured flow with the pumps’ theoretical capacity.

Comparing the pump curve with the system curve helped confirm the fire pumps were performing to specification.

Portable ultrasonic liquid flow meter Panametrics TransPort PT900

Datasheet (PDF) TransPort PT900

Source: Panametrics Application Note (panametrics.com) — © Panametrics LLC. Localized and adapted by INTECH CONTROL, official Panametrics representative in the Slovak Republic and Hungary.