Target Flow Meters

Flow Meters › Target Flow Meters

Target flow meters, also called drag-force flow meters, read flow from the force a fluid pushes on a target disc in the pipe. A force sensor turns that drag into a flow reading, with no pressure taps to plug, so they suit low flow and viscous, dirty, corrosive, and extreme-temperature service that defeats an orifice.

Target flow meters

Choosing a target flow meter

The target meter is the answer when the flow is low or the fluid is hard, and it is set by the target and the body:

If you need	Choose
Low flow on a small line	A target meter, which reads the drag force where an orifice signal is too small
Viscous, dirty, or corrosive fluid	A target meter with no taps, in 316, Hastelloy, Inconel, or titanium
Cryogenic or high temperature	A target meter rated -196 C to 450 C and up to 42 MPa
Clean, moderate flow at low cost	An orifice or other DP element is usually cheaper; see the differential pressure range

FAQ

What is a target flow meter used for?

It measures liquid, gas, and steam, and is chosen for low flow and for viscous, dirty, corrosive, cryogenic, or high-temperature service, where a pressure-tap meter loses signal or plugs. It is used across petroleum, chemical, power, pharmaceutical, and food plants.

How does a target flow meter work?

A disc on a rod faces the flow, and the fluid pushes on it with a drag force that rises with the square of the velocity. A force sensor reads that force and turns it into a flow reading. The target size sets the range.

Why choose a target meter over an orifice plate?

A target meter reads the drag force directly with no pressure taps, so it resolves lower flows and does not plug on dirty or viscous fluid, and it runs from -196 C to 450 C. An orifice is cheaper and a published standard for clean, moderate service.

Request a quote

Tell us the fluid, the line size, the flow range, and the pressure and temperature, and we size and build the target flow meter for your service.