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Mag Meter Flow Meters and Magflow Flow Meters: Reliable Flanged Sensors for Corrosive Chemical Acids

Quick Answer: Silver Instruments supplies flanged electromagnetic flow meters for sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, and sodium hydroxide service. The correct acid resistant build uses a PTFE or PFA liner with tantalum or Hastelloy C electrodes. For a fast quote, send your acid name, concentration, temperature, pipe size in DN, and flow range.

We are Silver Automation Instruments. We serve chemical plants, water treatment sites, and engineering contractors in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, Africa, and Australia. Many buyers ask the same question. Which flanged mag meter works for aggressive acids without failing early? This article gives a direct answer. Some engineers call these magflow flow meters. The term refers to the same electromagnetic measuring principle.

Why Flanged Mag Meter Flow Meters Suit Acid Service

A magnetic flow meter has no moving parts. The flow tube is full bore. The sensor does not block the stream. That matters in corrosive chemical service because there is no shaft or paddle to break or leak. The wetted parts are the liner, the electrodes, and often a grounding ring. Choose these materials correctly and the meter handles most acids.

Flanged sensors are common in acid transfer and chemical dosing lines. The flange connection gives a tight seal and handles higher pressure than a wafer body. Many acid lines use DIN PN16 or ANSI Class 150 flanges. Flanged mag meters fit those piping standards directly. We supply sizes from DN15 to DN800.

Here is the thing. Not all flanged mag meters are equal. The liner and electrode materials decide the service life. We have seen a hard rubber lined meter fail on concentrated sulfuric acid within weeks. Acid service starts with material selection.

Liner and Electrode Selection for Corrosive Chemical Acids

For most strong acids, select a PTFE or PFA liner. PTFE handles temperatures up to 120 °C. PFA handles up to 180 °C. Both resist attack from hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, and sodium hydroxide. Avoid EPDM and hard rubber liners for strong oxidizing acids.

The electrodes also matter. Tantalum electrodes work well for sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, and phosphoric acid. Hastelloy C276 is a good choice for mixed acid streams or streams containing chlorides. Titanium fits some oxidizing acids. Platinum suits certain low conductivity or highly corrosive fluids. Tell us the acid blend and concentration before you select an electrode.

Grounding rings are often overlooked. A PTFE lined flanged mag meter is insulated from the metal pipe. You need grounding rings or a lining protector with a reliable ground. Use tantalum or Hastelloy C grounding rings on acid lines. Stainless steel grounding rings can corrode and create a false ground path.

Common Acid Applications and Sizing Details

Last year a chemical distributor in Vietnam asked for a flow meter on a 98 percent sulfuric acid transfer line. Pipe size was DN50. Flow range was 5 to 25 m3/h. We supplied a DN50 flanged electromagnetic flow meter with a PTFE liner and tantalum electrodes. The unit has run for over 10 months with no liner swelling or electrode damage.

In Chile, a water treatment plant doses 30 percent sodium hydroxide at 1 to 3 m3/h. We proposed a DN25 flanged magmeter with a PFA liner and Hastelloy C electrodes. Line pressure was PN16. Output was 4-20 mA with HART to the plant PLC. This is a typical chemical dosing installation.

A fertilizer plant in Indonesia handles phosphoric acid with some suspended solids. We supplied a DN80 flanged unit with PTFE liner, tantalum electrodes, and tantalum grounding rings. Flow range was 10 to 60 m3/h. The converter used 4-20 mA plus RS485 Modbus for the site DCS.

Sizing rule: k