Oil Flow Monitoring

FO-OILFLOW Oil Circulation lubrication meter for Paper Machines has unique self-cleaning technology, which ensures the flow tube indicator remains clean. The measuring technique is spring loaded and based on pressure differential. Due to the spring loading, the flow is constant and accurate. Flow levels are adjusted directly according to the flow tube scale.

This removes the need for a conversion scale. In normal operation, floats are always on the same level regardless of the flow rate. This makes it easier to monitor flow meters visually, i.e. just a look is enough to check the operation. Optional lower limit alarm, ensures that circulation lubrication reaches all of the oiling points.

FO-OilFlow’s features include:

• Direct flow capacity display pints/min. with no graduation
• 3 different flow ranges in the same module (0.2-34 pints/min.)
• Built in modular form (1-12 units per base plate)
• No requirement for a flow curve
• Floats on the same level regardless of different flow rates
• Spring loaded to ensure stable operation
• Optional low flow alarms
• More...

The REALFLOW digital oil flow meter is specially designed for measuring and monitoring at the paper machine environment. The RealFlow unit measures and controls lubrication oil flow, as well as generating accurate real-time readings for monitoring systems e.g. oil monitoring panel, PLC or DCS systems. The measurement signal is an inductive pulse which is wired to a remote monitoring system. These pulses can be also seen as light pulses locally. Also, lower flow rates result in only a few light pulses, whereas higher flow rates result in a greater number light pulses.
The real-time flow reading, set point and alarm limits (lower and upper limits) are available for every measurement point. The alarms are binary alarms and suitable e.g., relays

Product Highlights:

• Almost viscosity independent (30-900 cSt)
• Three measurement ranges in one module;     0.1 - 5.0  l/min
• Modular structure (max. 40 lubrication points per group)
• Number of measurement stations up to 32  ( total of 1280 lubrication points)
• Easy user interface, two line LCD display
• By-pass functions for maintenance
• Installation enclosure for the full system protection

Technical Specifications:

• Ranges:
• RF-1: 0.2-2.0 pints/min
• RF-2: 0.4-4.2 pints/min
• RF-3: 1.0-10.5 pints/min
• RF-5: 42-127 pints/min
• RF-6: 105-221 pints/min
• Max. oil temperature: 195 F
• Ambient temperature: 140 F
• Accuracy: ± 5 % (after calibration ±2)
• Body and cover: Aluminum
• Gears Other parts: PVC (PSU)
• Seals: Fe52 FPM (Viton)
• Inlet: NPT 3/8"
• Outlet: NPT 3/8"
• Enclosure: Aluminum (option SS 304)

Manufacturer: Flow Control Oy; Muurame, Finland; http://www.flowcontrol.fi/en/

Operating Principle of the Flow Meter:

A spring-loaded float (1) and the flange (2) of a cone act as the indicator of the flow rate. Together, with a built-in fixed cone (3), they form an accurate and stable volume flow into the flow meter. The changes in the cross-sectional areas between the float and cone form a pressure differential representing the flow rate.

Circulation lubrication oil is fed into the base plate (4) to the channel (from behind or from the side). From there, the circulation lubrication oil flows through the control valve (5) into the measuring unit in the flow tube (7) of the module (6). In the measuring unit, the float (1) settles itself into the position controlled by the pressure differential.

 The circulation lubrication oil exits from the measuring unit through the bottom plate into the piping and to a lubrication point. The flow value can be read in the flow tube or on the scale in the module. The flow rate will be adjusted only with the control valve (5), after the flange (2) of the cone has been adjusted to the target flow with the regulating wheel (8).

Cleaning of the Flow Tube
Thanks to the unique cleaning action, the flow tubes of the flow meter always stay clean. When the circulation lubrication stops and re-starts; the circulation lubrication meter removes the impurities and cleans the inner surface of the flow tube with the Teflon ring of the indicator float.