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Recently it was brought to my attention that a new video on thermal mass flow meter in-situ calibration has raised unnecessary questions, challenging the accuracy of wet-sensor flow meters.
New Video Challenges Accuracy
A leading manufacturer of thermal mass flow meters has recently introduced a new video regarding their in-situ calibration validation. This is one topic I am thoroughly versed in, given that Sage Metering was the first to market an accurate, cost-effective, and easy onsite calibration verification.
At the heart of this well-executed video is that wet-sensor thermal mass flow meters drift over time because organic compounds can degrade with heating and cooling, which would reduce the reliability of the meter’s flow measurement. The company claims they have the only thermal meter “dry sensor.” They take it one step further by speculating if a sensor has drifted, it cannot be validated and could generate “false positives.” This video clearly shows that the competitor does not understand our technology, just as we do not 100% know theirs.
Dry Sensor Concerns
Our research indicates that “dry sensors” may prove to be troublesome over time. Depending on how the manufacturer constructs the sensor, there is the possibility that the internal platinum wires could short. Alternatively, a thin air gap inside the sensor would create a thermal barrier and corresponding response-time lag.
Sage Thermal Mass Flow Meter
The Sage meters’ heat transfer compound may be “wet,” though our platinum winding is non-drifting. In the eleven years Sage Metering has been in business, it is rare to find that one of our sensors has drifted. Contrary to the video and very simply put, if one of our sensors drifted for any reason, the meter would not give a “false positive.” Instead, any sensor drift will appear as a change in the zero-flow signal, causing the flowmeter to fail the in-situ calibration verification. Keep in mind our technology, which is a hybrid-digital, is extremely sensitive, and rest assured that we take these statements very seriously and fully stand behind our meters.
Sage Pioneered the In-Situ Calibration
Sage Metering was the first to introduce a simple, in-the-field calibration validation, and over the years, other manufacturers have tried to follow our lead. Some competitors have failed to offer practical or even accurate ways to verify their meters’ calibration.
I want to assure everyone that the Sage Metering calibration verification method works, and our sensors do not drift. If you have any concerns, I encourage you to call a member of my staff or me to discuss them personally.
For more information on our in-situ calibration verification, take a look at this video or see In Situ Calibration Benefit.
