Mass Flow Meter Applications and Leak Detection
Thermal mass flow measurement instruments are typically separated into two main categories: Mass Flow Meters and Mass Flow Controllers. It’s estimated that over 90% of mass flow measurement instruments sold are mass flow controllers. So, it’s no surprise that most mass flow application conversations focus on mass flow controllers. Notwithstanding, there are still numerous applications for which mass flow meters are critical.
The following are common applications for mass flow meters (also known as thermal mass flow meters):
- Leak Detection
- Gas Custody Transfer
- Air Quality Monitoring
- Porosity Measurement
- Filter Testing
- Fuel Cell Testing
- Vacuum Pump Performance
- Compressor Performance
- Valve Performance
- Calibration Transfer Standard
- Combustion Gas Monitoring
- Gas Sampling
- Radiation Monitoring
- Welding Shield Gas Monitoring
- Thermal Spraying
One popular application for mass flow meters is leak testing. It’s often used on products where failure is not an option. For that reason, it is widely accepted in the aerospace, automotive, and medical industries. High throughput leak detection using mass flow meters is a nondestructive testing method that offers a fast, clean, precise, and affordable solution for parts manufacturers seeking to perform leak testing on 100% of their products.
A typical test stand is shown in Figure 1. For high throughput leak detection, a pressurized manifold has multiple connections for mass flow meters. On the outlet side of each flow meter is an isolation valve and the test part. When the isolation valve is opened, test part leaks will be noted by the movement of clean dry air across the flow meter. The test part is only exposed to clean dry air.
How does leak detection with mass flow meters compare to alternative methods? It’s faster than pressure decay testing and helium leak detectors. It’s also cleaner than hydrotesting, bubble testing, and liquid penetrate testing.
Common products for which high throughput leak detection has been implemented include:
- Automotive Parts such as fuel injectors, brake components, exhaust systems, emission components, fuel pumps, fuel tanks, power steering systems, air conditioning systems, engine blocks, cylinder heads, transmission castings
- Aerospace Parts such as jet engine components, heat exchangers, cabin valves, oxygen delivery systems, hydraulic systems, air conditioning systems, brake systems
- Other: medical devices, filters, space suits, and much more
This article was originally posted to Teledyne Hastings Instruments.