Metal Tube Rotameters

What is a metal tube rotameter?

A rotameter or variable area flow meter is an industrial flow meter that measures the volumetric flow of liquids and gases. Metal tube rotameters are engineered and constructed with materials such as stainless steel to enable reliable, repeatable flow measurement in industrial applications with high pressure and extreme temperature variations.

Inside a metal tube flow meter, a gas or liquid moves a float until it reaches equilibrium — the technique to measure the flow rate. Metal tube variable area flow meters are used across a wide range of industrial applications because they are an economical and reliable way of measuring flow rates that range from very low to very high.

What sets Brooks metal tube rotameters apart?

Brooks Instrument pioneered the production and commercialization of metal tube rotamers for multiple applications. Over decades of development, we have invested in advancing the design and performance of metal tube rotameters. Armored to deliver repeatable, reliable flow measurement in demanding high-pressure, high-temperature applications, our metal tube variable area flow meters set the global standard for rugged durability and sustained accuracy.

Globally approved for use in hazardous environments, metal tube rotameter (variable area flow meter) manufacturer Brooks offers a range of metal tube rotameters that includes corrosion-resistant options for metering aggressive fluids and multiple connection options to make it easier to interface our meter into existing industrial systems. Engineered for long-lasting performance, Brooks high-pressure water or gas flow meters deliver excellent meter repeatability to help accurately measure and control complex industrial processes.

Our metal tube variable area flow meters feature:

• Reliable, easy-to-read displays on all mechanical flow meter types — gas, flow meters for water and fluids
• Fail-safe inline flow indication under any circumstance
• Integral flow controller to compensate for varying pressures
• Materials and designs to suit multiple pressure ranges and chemical compounds for industrial flow meters

How customers use flow meters for oil drilling offshore

Offshore oil platforms are high-pressure industrial environments with the potential for extreme temperature swings. In these conditions, flow meters for oil exploration and production operations need to be rugged and reliable. These platforms require accurate flow measurement to pump drilling mud at controlled, high pressures through the drill pipe to cool and lubricate the drill bit.

It is critical to accurately measure and track the drilling mud flow to protect the drill bit and the entire process. The Brooks Instrument MT3809 metal tube rotameter was selected by one offshore oil exploration company. The Brooks metal tube rotameter was chosen due to its accuracy, reliability and materials of construction, including its corrosion-resistant and 316 stainless-steel housing and ability to withstand pressures up to 884 bar.

Key metal tube flow meter applications

• Basic liquid, gas or oil flow measurement
• Rotating equipment flow measurement
• High-pressure flow meters for offshore oil platforms
• Chemical injection
• Purge liquid or gas metering