There are several types of flow meters out there, and if you are specifically looking for natural gas, then we have compiled a list of best flow meter for natural gas. The list has been compiled after testing several different meters and also considering user reviews as well as expert views. If you want our opinion on which is the best, our answer would be CNBTR LZQ-3 0-10 LPM .
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TOP 7 Flow Meter For Natural Gas
1. CNBTR LZQ-3 0-10 LPM – Best Option With Gas Regulator
The CNBTR LZQ-3 0-10 is a tube-type acylic flow meter. It can accurately determine the flow of gas. If you are operating a plant in a gas industry with a connection piping of gas supply, this flow meter may prove to be the best. As per the specifications, it can be connected to 8mm hose fittings. There is no tension of breakage as the materials used are plastic, acrylic, and metal. These materials are known to make it sturdy and durable.
As the LPM measuring capacity is good with this flow meter, you can use it for commercial purposes with large requirements. The tube can easily fit the standard gas home fitting. The dial of this flow meter is quite large than the body itself, which may change the flow if dragged across a place accidentally. The needle valve of this flowmeter is also loose which can be overlooked seeing the inexpensive nature and accurate readings.
- Accurate measurements.
- Easy installation.
- Inexpensive.
- Easy to turn a dial.
- Good LPM measurement capacity.
- Non-breakable material.
- The dial is large than the body.
- Loose needle valve.
- The single-phase may pose a problem for homogeneity conditions.
Bottom Line
Though it looks like any other gas flow meter, overall built quality is good and provides accurate reading with minimum error. That is why it has gained top rank on our list.
2. JIAWANSHUN 0.1-1.5LPM – Best for Fuels
If you are looking for both gas flow meter and air flow meter, this JIAWANSHUN’s flow meter may serve your purpose. It comes with a flow rate measuring capacity of 0.1-1.5LPM. Thus, you can use this as a handy device for monitoring of home oxygen gas through different equipment. You can connect this flow meter with 5mm hose fittings and can easily measure either the air or gas flow. It can detect the flow of oxygen and other gases of single-phase non-pulsating flow. Compared to the previous flow meter, it is more defined in look and made of tough acrylic material.
Overall, the installation and usage with this flow meter are simple and quick. However, the LPM measuring capacity is very low as compared to the previous flow meter. Thus, you are recommended not to use this for large industrial requirements. Take it simple and use it as a handy device for home purposes. You are also required to connect it with hose fittings of 5mm, which may pose difficulty for some users. But, the price is very reasonable to consider the flow meter keeping in mind your needs.
- Simple installation.
- Budget-friendly.
- Sturdy material.
- Easy to operate.
- It can detect both gas as well as air.
- Very handy for home purposes.
- Low LPM measuring capacity.
Bottom Line
When it comes to using inline natural gas flow meter, you have to look how durable the unit is. Among all the flow meters we tested, the JIAWANSHUN 0.1-1.5LPM Gas Flow meter turned out to be most durable.
3. Hilitand LZQ-2 0-3LPM – Best for Small Industry
The LZQ-2 Flow meter can be used for industries to detect mainly control oxygen. However, it can also measure the flow of air and other gases such as hydrogen peroxide, methane, carbon dioxide, butane, natural gas, coal gas, etc. Using the meter, you can adjust flow rate between 0-3LPM which is enough to use for industrial purposes also. The body is transparent like all flow meters, and it can be connected with a hose fitting of 8mm. However, the dial knob is unique to this flow meter. It can easily operate without any issues like change in flow due to accidental dragging.
The design is really good. The knob can quickly adjust the flow of oxygen between 0-3LPM. The benefit of having this type of flow meter is the range. It can detect various types of gases and air which is a plus point with this flow meter. However, the LPM measuring capacity is still low if the industrial requirements are comparatively large. So, advice you to use this flow meter in small scale industry.
- Heavy-duty acrylic material.
- Good flow rate range for small to medium industry concerns.
- Detects different gases and airflow.
- Simple installation.
- Economical.
- Not suited for large industrial requirements.
Bottom Line
If you own a small scale plant, the LZQ-2 Flow meter is one of the most effective flowmeter for natural gas out there. For this natural gas flow meter, the price is also comparatively low.
4. Hilitand LZQ-7 2-20LPM – Best For Large Industry
Another natural gas flow meter by Hilitand makes it to our list. This flow meter comes with a flow rate measurement capacity of 2-20LPM. You can also detect the unidirectional flow of different gases such as LPG, natural gas, hydrogen, phosgene, butane, chlorine, methane, argon, etc. excluding CI2. There are two connections of 8mm hose fittings. The flow meter is very much suitable for large industrial as well as home requirements. Its indications are clear and nicely defined. The flow meter is unbreakable and made up of high-quality acrylic material.
The design of this flow meter is quite basic, with good indications and tough material. We weren’t able to find any downfall with the product. All of its features are trustworthy and efficient. Furthermore, the benefits count to its multitasking ability to measure different gases as well as air. Also, it caters fully to the requirements of large industrial concerns.
- The high flow rate of 2-20LPM.
- Simple installation.
- Ability to measure the flow of different gases and air.
- Tough material used.
- Also suitable for large industries.
- Turning knob placed at the bottom may pose a difficulty if not installed properly.
Bottom Line
This meter Hilitand is from LZQ series, but it has been updated to work for large scale operations compared to its previous LZQ-2. Thus it is perfect if you want meter to handle large scale natural gas operation.
5. Beacon Pet Digital Tester Portable MF5706 – Best For Technicians
Here is a digital natural gas flow meter by Beacon Pet with a flow rate measurement capacity of 0-10LPM. The design is different from other flow meters reviewed above. The main difference is the digital meter. All of the data related to flow are displayed on the screen. The flow meter can operate in working pressure of ≤0.8Mpa. Also the working temperature is defined at -10 to +55°C. You can easily connect flow meter with a hose connection of 6mm. This digital flow meter can detect the flow of compressed air, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, and other inactive gases.
The benefits of having a digital flow meter are that it is reliable and easy to read than other flow meters. They are also much more accurate because you can see the exact readings. Due to the numerical display, you will get the advantage of easy reading. But, power consumption is an additional thing with digital flow meters. So, you may require to frequently replace the battery after it gets used.
- Easy to read digital display.
- Accurate measurements.
- Detects the unidirectional flow of various gases and air.
- Impressive design.
- Also suitable for large industries.
- Digital meter needs due care.
- Power consumption.
Bottom Line
If you want a digital flow meter for natural gas, then do not look beyond Beacon. The flow meter is also portable and easy to install.
Buyer’s Guide – What To Consider?
Natural Gas flow meters are known to measure, adjust, and detect the flow of moving gas in many industries. Their ability to indicate correct flow measurements allows operators to properly control and monitor the gas flow. Furthermore, their application is recognized in many kinds of industries such as biopharma, food or any mechanical enterprise. Apart from use in industrial concerns, they are extensively used for home purposes also.
Depending upon the accuracy, flow measurements, and the type of gas or air they indicate, the market is packed with different kinds of meters. The variety can pose confusion or difficulty in choosing one of the best. This is why we come up with an informative guide on how to select flow meters for your requirements. Have a look at the important considerations given below.
1. Type of flow measurements
If we talk of flow measurements in industries, they mainly come under two different categories as volumetric flow rate and mass flow rate flow meters. As the name suggests, volumetric flow meters measure the volume of fluid passing through the stream in volume per unit. On the other hand, mass flow meters measure mass movement per time. Its examples include thermal flow meters and Coriolis flow meters.
2. Check Accuracy
The desired accuracy of the flow meter is usually measured in the percentage of actual reading, percentage of full scale, and percentage of calibrated span units. It is generally indicated as normal, minimum and maximum flow rates. Thus, you need to have a clear understanding of your desired accuracy according to the industry, as well as your home requirements. For example, CNBTR LZQ-3 0-10 LPM Tube Type Acylic Flow meter is the most accurate flow meter that we have tested.
3. Information Of Flow Rate
It should be checked that the flow rate information provided is whether totalized or continuous. This consideration is important because a flow rate determines the quantity of liquid or gas moving through a channel or pipe within a given standard of time.
4. Applicable Fluid
Natural gas flow meters also come in different fluid characteristics. In this case, users should be alert regarding the type or kind of fluid a particular flow meter applies to. Sometimes, you will find that a specific gas is not measured by a flow meter or that flow meter is single-phase. So, it is necessary to take note of these points before buying the flow meter for natural gas.
5. Process Media
The media of process basically means gas or liquid pressure. There is a difference when using flow meter for gas and liquid, depending upon their relative compressibility. As compared to liquid, gases are compressed easily and quickly. Thus, any change in their pressure variations will lead to significant changes in mass density in gas than liquid.
6. Environmental factors
Along with the above factors to measure accuracy, flow rate, and applicable fluid, it is equally important to consider environmental factors also. Things such as temperature, pressure, viscosity, and density conditions are also considered while looking for a natural gas flow meter. For tought conditions you can go for durable JIAWANSHUN 0.1-1.5LPM .
7. Indication/output
Users of flow meters must be concerned about the transmission of measured data that whether it is needed remotely or locally. This is because transmission can be digital, analog, or shared in case of remote indication.
8. Requirements for installation
Plan the flow meter installation firstly before buying a natural gas flow meter. The planning consists of knowing the pipe direction, line-size, flange-pressure rating and material of construction. Complexities due to valves, equipment accessibility, regulators, and available straight-pipe run lengths should also be considered.
9. Different kinds of flow meters and their suitability
Here are some flow meter types that are available today:
These types of flow meters are used in highly hygienic conditions such as food, biopharma, or semiconductor fabrication. They are applicable when the CIP option is not supreme. These type of flow meters work on sensors which got discarded after they come in contact with working fluid each time. In case of tight accuracies of less than 1%, Coriolis type flow meters are used for single-use applications.
They measure mass flow measurement through two designs: a single tube or two parallel tubes. These flow meters work on oscillation based on Newton’s second law of motion. Coriolis flow meters are known to be the ideal solutions for a range of liquid and gas applications. They indicate information regarding density, mass, and temperature. Industries such as wastewater treatment, pharmaceutical, nuclear facilities, and natural gas measurement use such types of flow meters.
They evaluate the pressure drop through restriction with the help of a laminar flow element. When a fast time response is required, or no moving parts are desired, then this technology is said to be ideal. These flowmeters are used to measure the output of fuels such as jet fuel or benzines, aquafarms, water measurement testing, and specialty chemical manufacturing industries. Labs also make use of such flow meters to control or measure the flow of gases while separating or mixing them through chromatography.
They consist of propellers, rotating paddle wheels, and oscillating disks. They provide a pulse while passing either through an optical or magnetic sensor. They are typically offered at low cost with great accuracy. Along with the aquafarms or usage for irrigational purposes, these flow meters are also used in utilities and gas and oil industries.
Thermal dispersion meters operate with a flow of gas that is side stream and operate through a capillary. The capillary contains two sensor coils in which one is downstream from the other. They are mostly used for purging instrument airlines, chemical line monitoring, and filtration loading. Moreover, they also control the flow in OEM applications and gas mixing.
FAQs
1. Does the flow meter allow you to change the rate of the flow?
Yes, they do. You can see that all the flow meters that we have mentioned in this post have regulator or know which allows users to change the rate of the flow. However, you have to look at the range of flow meter. All meters have different operating ranges for the flow.
2. What kind of fitting does this flow meter for natural gas support?
It supports all the standard connections. If you look at the product most of them can be connected to 8mm connection or 6 mm.
3. Is there any kind of certification to ensure safety?
Most of the flow meters are safe, but if you still want to make sure they are certified, you will have to contact manufacturers. They will either provide you information on certification or their testing methods.
Final Thought
Here we have provided you with some of the informative points regarding flow meters. Knowing your requirements is necessary, especially when you are buying best flow meters for a particular purpose. Go through our buyer’s guide for flow meter if you don’t know what you want to buy. And always contact the seller or manufacturer to find the detailed specifications.
CNBTR LZQ-3 0-10 LPM- Editor's Choice
Summary
Though it looks like any other gas flow meter, overall built quality is good and provides accurate reading with minimum error. That is why it has gained top rank on our list.
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