Solid Flow Meters

Solid flow meters (for powders, granules, etc.) are continuous weighing and flow-monitoring systems designed for bulk solids in industrial processes. They provide precise control, regulation and balancing of material flow in pneumatic conveying, free-fall or dense-phase conveying, with high accuracy, independence from product properties (density, grain size) and minimal maintenance requirements.

Key devices:

• Microwave sensor for monitoring the flow of powders and granules in pneumatic conveying lines or free-fall; measures mass flow rate (kg/h), velocity (m/s) and absolute volume.

• Slide-type solid flow meter for granulated and powdered products in free-fall; uses centrifugal force for proportional measurement of mass flow.

• Microwave sensors for detection of material flow/no-flow and blockages in pipelines.

• Microwave flow meter for dense-phase pneumatic conveying with ceramic inner pipe.

The technologies are based on microwave, Doppler and mechanical (centrifugal) principles, with emphasis on non-contact measurement, resistance to high pressure/temperature and ATEX certification.

Characteristics

• Temperature & pressure: –10…+70 °C (standard), up to +140…+1000 °C (with adapters); pressure up to 25 bar (standard), up to 110 bar (high-pressure version).

• Installation & design: Simple flange/threaded connection (DN50–DN300, up to 1200 mm); non-contact or low-contact, no moving parts, ceramic/stainless-steel lining; protection class IP66–IP68; compact dimensions (e.g. MIC sensor: 115 × 90 × 82 mm).

• Output signals & interfaces: 4–20 mA, pulse output, RS485/Modbus, Profibus/Profinet; relay alarm outputs; power supply 24 V DC or 110–240 V AC.

• Additional features: Maintenance-free, factory or software calibration; ATEX Zone 20/21/22; unlimited flow range (from 30 kg/h to 300 t/h); material detection through non-metallic walls (FlowJam).

Main application areas

• Pneumatic conveying: Dense-phase and dilute-phase transport of powders/granules (DensFlow, MIC-SMART) in steel, cement, chemical and power industries.

• Free-fall & dosing: Flow balancing, continuous mixing, truck/silo loading (FlowSlide) for plastics, grain, wood chips, sand, catalysts in food, biomass and wood-processing industries.

• Monitoring & detection: Blockage and no-flow detection in pipelines (FlowJam) for food, pharmaceutical, coal, lime, gypsum and metallurgical industries.

• General: Process control, additive dosing, dust and residue prevention in all industries handling bulk solids (from food to minerals), except critical pharmaceutical products.