Steam Flow Meter
Orifice-Based Steam Flow Metering System — for saturated & superheated steam applications
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Steam Flow Meter
Our Orifice-Based Steam Flow Metering System is a fully engineered, ready-to-install flow measurement package designed specifically for accurate, reliable measurement of saturated and superheated steam in industrial process, utility, and power plant applications. Built on the proven differential pressure (DP) principle using ISO 5167-compliant orifice plates, the system integrates primary flow sensing, impulse lines, and transmitters with real-time density compensation into a single assembly — reducing engineering effort, installation time, and commissioning risk for the end user.
All components from the root valves, condensate pots, drain/vent valves & fittings up to the DP transmitter can be supplied as a pre-fabricated set-up with in-house pressure/leak testing. This minimizes the chance of errors drastically during installation & commissioning.
The system is supplied as a complete metering package, engineered as one unit, ensuring compatibility, accuracy, and traceability across all components.
Specifications
- Primary element sized using CONVAL calculation per ISO 5167 for accurate, repeatable measurement.
- Condensate pots, manifolds (BETLOCK) and impulse piping engineered for high-temperature steam service.
- Mass flow computation with density compensation from measured temperature and pressure.
- Material options in carbon steel, alloy steel and stainless steel for process conditions.
Technical specifications.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Service | Saturated & superheated steam |
| Line size | DN25 – DN600 (1"–24") |
| Pressure / temperature | Up to 100 bar (g) / 450°C |
| Output | 4–20 mA with HART; density-compensated mass flow |
| Supply | Pre-assembled package, pressure/leak tested in-house |
| Metering principle | Differential pressure; Bernoulli’s principle (ISO 5167-2 / ASME MFC-3M) |
| Steam type | Saturated steam / superheated steam |
| Line size range | DN25 – DN600 (1"–24"), customizable per application |
| Pressure rating | Up to 100 bar (g) — as per application |
| Process temperature | Up to 450°C (superheated) — as per application |
| Orifice plate material | SS316/316L (standard); other alloys on request |
| Tapping type | Flange taps / corner taps / D–D/2 taps |
| DP transmitter output | 4–20 mA with HART (Fieldbus/Profibus optional) |
| Accuracy (overall system) | ±1.0% to ±1.5% of measured flow (typical, application-dependent) |
| Turndown ratio | Up to 4:1 |
| Hazardous area certification | ATEX / IECEx / CSA / FM (as required) |
| Enclosure protection | IP66 / IP67 |
Key features engineered in.
- Single-source responsibility — orifice sizing, hardware, and instrumentation supplied and calibrated as one traceable package
- Factory pre-assembly — reduces on-site fitting, welding, and leak-testing time
- Accurate mass flow computation — live density compensation for pressure and temperature variation, critical for superheated steam
- Wide rangeability — suitable for both saturated and superheated steam service
- Robust construction — designed for high-temperature, high-pressure steam lines with appropriate material and gasket selection
Applications we serve.
- Boiler steam flow measurement (saturated & superheated)
- Process steam distribution headers
- Steam custody transfer / billing metering
- Turbine inlet/outlet steam measurement
- Energy audit and steam balance studies
- Utility and power plant steam networks
Frequently asked questions.
Why is density compensation critical for steam flow measurement applications?
Steam being a compressible fluid, density can swing by a large factor across normal operating pressure/temperature ranges, so a “fixed” density assumption doesn’t work. Flow elements are sized assuming a specific design density (design P and T); any deviation of actual process density from that design point directly introduces error into the flow reading — and steam pressure/temperature drift constantly with load, boiler firing rate, downstream demand, etc.
Are condensate pots mandatory for all steam applications, & how must they be installed?
No — condensate pots aren’t universally mandatory, but they’re standard practice for a specific and very common category of installation. They provide a fixed, known, constant volume of condensed water at the top of each impulse line, ensuring both high and low sides stay completely full of liquid at equal, stable heights. Lines from the orifice taps up to the pots should be as short and direct as practical.
Which flow element is most suitable for superheated steam flow applications?
Flow nozzles are ideal for high-pressure & high-temperature applications. Their contoured entrance and gradual convergence lets the flow accelerate uniformly rather than the abrupt, sharp-edged orifice plate. With their welded connections, nozzles leave no leak points for superheated steam flow applications.
Need help with your flow measurement challenge?
Share your fluid properties, line size, flow rate and operating conditions � our engineers respond with sizing, drawings and a quotation.