Flow Meters › Slurry Flow Meter
Slurry Flow Meter
Slurries, solids carried in a liquid such as mineral concentrate, cement, lime, paper stock, or drilling mud, are abrasive and often change density, which rules out meters with moving parts or pressure taps. The right technology depends on the carrier: a magnetic meter is the first choice for conductive water-based slurry, a Coriolis meter reads mass and density on dense or abrasive slurry, a drag-force target meter handles thick settling solids, and a Doppler ultrasonic meter clamps on for particle-laden flow. Pick by conductivity, abrasiveness, and solids content.
Magnetic Flow MeterThe first choice for conductive water-based slurry: a full-bore, obstruction-free tube with an abrasion-resistant liner and no moving parts.
Straight Tube Coriolis Flow MeterReads mass and density on dense or abrasive slurry; the straight self-draining tube resists wear and clears solids.
Target Flow MeterDrag-force meter with no pressure taps to plug; handles thick, settling, sediment-bearing slurry.
Doppler Ultrasonic Flow MeterClamps on the outside of the pipe and uses the particles to read flow; ideal for abrasive, particle-laden slurry.
Choosing a slurry flow meter
All of these read slurry, but they fit different carriers and solids. Match the technology to conductivity, abrasiveness, and how much solid the slurry carries.
| Technology | When to choose it for slurry |
|---|---|
| Magnetic | Conductive water-based slurry; full bore, no obstruction, abrasion-resistant liner; the default for mineral and process slurry |
| Coriolis (straight tube) | Dense or abrasive slurry where mass and density matter; self-draining and wear resistant |
| Target (drag-force) | Thick, settling, sediment-bearing slurry where pressure taps and moving parts clog |
| Doppler ultrasonic | Abrasive or particle-laden slurry; clamp-on and non-intrusive, with no wetted sensor to wear |
FAQ
What flow meter is best for slurry?
For conductive water-based slurry a magnetic meter is the default: it has a full bore, no obstruction, and an abrasion-resistant liner. For mass and density on dense slurry use a Coriolis meter; for thick settling solids a drag-force target meter; and for abrasive particle-laden slurry a clamp-on Doppler ultrasonic meter.
Can a magnetic flow meter measure slurry?
Yes, as long as the slurry is conductive, which most water-based mineral and process slurries are. The magnetic meter has no moving parts and an obstruction-free, lined bore, so it passes solids and resists wear. Non-conductive slurry needs Coriolis, target, or Doppler instead.
How do you measure abrasive slurry without wearing out the meter?
Use a technology with nothing in the flow to wear: a magnetic meter with a tough liner, a clamp-on Doppler meter that never touches the slurry, or a robust drag-force target meter. Avoid turbine and other moving-part meters in abrasive service.
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