Skip To Content

Metal Tube Rotameters

Industrial metal tube rotameters for high-pressure & temperature applications

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

Flow meters for oil applications

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.

Read Application Note

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

Metal Tube Rotameter Products

MT3750 Series
MT3750 Series
MT3809 Series
MT3809 Series
Product Type

Metal Tube Variable Area Flow Meter

Metal Tube Variable Area Flow Meter

Differentiator

Broad, Low Flow Ranges

Perfect for high pressure and/or high temperature applications

Compact design

Good upgrade from glass tube meters

QuickShip Available

Repeatable flow measurement even at low process temperatures down to -198°C / -325°F and high process temperatures up to 420°C / 788°F

Designed for high process pressures 1379 bar(a) / 20,000 psig

Customers can rely on a proven flow measurement technology that works when electrical power is not available and at the same time communicate to control systems over analog- or digital interfaces

Optional local operator interface with LCD screen for easy operator control and alarm functions that meet SIL2 requirements

A selection of corrosion resistant wetted materials and indicator housings to fit your demanding applications

Product is designed to meet ASME B31.3 which is a requirement requested at the world’s major industrial facilities.

Product documentation, material traceability and project planning perfectly blends with the needs of Engineering Procurement Contractors (EPC) system integrators

Flow Range (Full Scale Capacity)

Refer to Capacity Tables in Data Sheet

Water

26 gph / 100 l/h*
*QuickShip

Air

110 scfh / 3.1 m3n/hr*
*QuickShip

Refer to Capacity Tables in Data Sheet

Water

440 gpm / 100,000 l/h

Air

750 scfm / 1200 m3n/hr

Accuracy

±5% Full Scale*  /  Class 4 VDI /  VDE
*QuickShip

±3% Full Scale  / Class 2.5 VDI  /  VDE

±2% Full Scale  /  Class 2.5 VDI /  VDE

±1% Full Scale  / Class 1.6 VDI  /  VDE

±5% Full Scale  /  Class 4 VDI /  VDE

±3% Full Scale  / Class 2.5 VDI  /  VDE

Max Temperature Range

Meter

-58 to 400°F*
-50 to 204°C*
*QuickShip

Meter

-325 to 788°F
-198 to 420°C

Max Pressure

Refer to Maximum Pressure Ratings Table in Data Sheet

1500 PSIG  /  100 bar*
*QuickShip

4000 PSIG  /  276 bar

Refer to Pressure/Temperature Tables in Data Sheet

O-Ring Materials Viton® fluoroelastomer*, Buna-N, Kalrez® fluoroelastomer*, PTFE Teflon, Ethylene Propylene
*QuickShip

Flange option or Male NPT:  No O-rings

Female threaded options:  Viton fluoroelastomer, Kalrez fluoroelastomer, PTFE Teflon

Process Connections

316 Stainless Steel:  1/4", 1/2", 3/4" NPT,1/4" Rc (BSP) Female connections

316 Stainless Steel:  1/4:, 6mm Tube Compression

Monel K-500:  1/4" NPT Female

All materials:  NPT, Rc (BSP) Female

All materials:  150#, 300#, 600# Flanges per ASME B16.5

All materials:  DIN PN40 Flanges

All materials:  JIS B2220 DIN 10K, 20K Flanges

Analogue Communication

Transmitter

4-20 mA

Transmitter

4-20 mA

Digital Communication HART® 7
FOUNDATIONTM Fieldbus (EMERSON™ qualified for Delta V control system and AMS device manager)
Alarms

Reed Switch - All Sizes

Inductive Switch - All Sizes

Inductive Switch - All Sizes

Certifications/Approvals

International Calibration Certificate (ICC)

Material Certification

Liquid Dye Penetrant

Positive Material Identification

NACE MR 01-75 & MR 0103

Pressure Test Certificate

Oxygen Cleaning Certificate

Certificate of Conformance

International agency approvals for alarm and transmitter

SIL 2 for alarm option

International Calibration Certificate (ICC)

Material certifications

Liquid Dye Penetrant

Positive Material Identification

NACE MR 01-75 & MR 0103

Pressure Test certificate

Oxygen Cleaning certificate

Certificate of Conformance