- Reliable measurement of nearly all free-flowing bulk solids
- Measurement of mass flow [kg/s] and quantity [kg]
- Independent of grain size and bulk density – no influence due tomaterial characteristics
- Minimal maintenance thanks to simple and robust design – no moving parts
- Very high reproducibility and accuracy
- Inline measuring device – continuous calculation of flow rate for free falling products using centrifugal force
- Measuring capacity from 100 kg/h to more than 500,000 kg/h (500 t/h)
References - The following companies are already using this solution
B + B Anlagentechnik
Degussa Krefeld
Ruhrkohle AG
Steag RWE
The bulk material is fed into the flow meter via a conveyor or chute. Inside the FlowSlide scale, the product flows over a circular curved measuring chute. The product generates a centripetal force proportional to its mass flow. The special design of the measuring chute almost completely eliminates frictional forces. This ensures that the measurement remains accurate and at the same time is independent of the bulk density, grain size or elasticity of the bulk material. This makes the scale extremely insensitive to variations of the product compared to other systems. If the products are completely different, the scale can also be calibrated for different products.
The product is fed to the scale via conveyor units, pipes or chutes. Pulsating product flows, such as those that occur in rotary valves, screw conveyors, bucket elevators, elevators, etc., are no problem for the scale.
For dusty products, the automated pneumatic cleaning function is suitable to prevent permanent contamination on the measuring chute. The measured mass flow (kg/h or t/h) and the quantity (kg or t) are displayed on a weighing terminal and can be transmitted to a control system or computer system via various interfaces. In this external article, we provide detailed information about the functionality of our bulk flow balance. The prerequisite for the measurement is good flowability of the products and that they are not adherent.
In this external article, we provide detailed information about the functionality of our system.
For proper functioning of the measurement it is important that the product has good flowability and it is not sticky.
Scale size
The FlowSlide scales are available in different sizes. The smallest scale, the Baby-FlowSlide 05, is suitable for flow rates of up to 1 m³/h. The largest scale currently available is the Ultra-FlowSlide 500. It can be operated with flow rates up to 550 m³/h.
Product characteristics
Our scales are used to measure all kinds of well-flowable bulk materials. The product should not be sticky.
Application / purpose
The scales are used for the following applications, among others:
- Quantity balancing of products and raw materials
- Performance measurement
- Consumption measurement
- Control of plant performance and output
- Process control
- Truck loading and unloading
- Dosing
- Control of continuous mixing processes
- Visualization of mass flows and quantities
Options
Wear protection and materials:
For abrasive products, the parts that come into contact with the product can be made of different wear-resistant materials, e.g., HARDOX, polyurethane, etc.
- The housing can be made of other materials, e.g. special stainless steels or plastic (PP-H).
ATEX / IECEx:
- EX-versions of the scale for different zone classifications are available. The relevant components, in particular the load cell, are selected according to the required EX-classification.
Controllers:
- In addition to the different weighing electronics for the scale, we supply industrial controllers that process the measured data from the scale. Controllers are used, for example, to implement master slave control of two flows measured by flow meters. The actual value of one or more measurements is used to control the discharge capacity to a specified target value.
Do you have a question about the Flowslide flow meter?
Our experts are on hand with help and advice for you.
| Throughput / capacity: | 0.1 to 600 m³/h |
| Height: | Baby-FlowSlide BFS series 400 mm; FlowSlide FS700 series: 700 mm; Maxi-FlowSlide MFS series: 1040 mm; Ultra-FlowSlide UFS series: 1395 mm |
| Sensor accuracy: | C3 – 3000 parts |
| Sensor protection class: | IP68 |
| System accuracy: | +/- 0.5 % |
| Reproducibility: | +/- 0.2 % |
| Measuring principle: | Continuous / Inline |
| Particle size range: | Baby-FS series 0 - 15 mm*; FS-700 series: 0 - 30 mm*; Maxi-FS series: 0 - 45 mm*; Ultra-FS series: 0 - 60 mm* * larger particles may apply, depending on degree of utilization and particle size distribution |
| Bulk density: | 0.04 – 7.0 kg/l = 40 - 7,000 kg/m³ |
| Suitable bulk materials: | Pellets, flakes, grist agglomerates, powders, flours |
| Requirements: | Good flowability of product |
| Unsuitable: | Liquids, gels, pastes |
| Exclusion criterion: | Sticky, adhesive materials |
| Supply voltage: | 110 - 230 VAC or 12 - 30 VDC |
| Display: | Flow rate, three total counters, trend, scale status |
| Calibration: | Up to 99 different products |
| Analog output: | Current / voltage |
| Digital outputs: | Digital outputs and inputs, function configurable (e.g. counter pulse) |
| Bus interfaces: | Profinet, Profibus, Modbus, Ethernet |
| Operation: | Remote or via membrane keyboard |
| Protection class: | up to IP68 / IP69k |
Why choose Hense Wägetechnik?
Fast response
High flexibility
Individual solutions & efficient standard systems
Qualified & free support
Reliable
Decades of experience
Inhouse product development
Maintenance-free products & simple commissioning
High availability & quality
The FlowSlide inline flow meter is suitable for measuring flow rate and total of all free-flowing products that are not sticky.
A wide range of different products can be measured, including plastic granulates, grain, polystyrene, wood pellets, sand, soybean meal, catalysts, cement and many more.
Bulk densities from 40 kg/m³ to 7,500 kg/m³ can be measured with the FlowSlide.
Quantity balancing of products and raw materials, truck loading, process control, dosing, controlling of continuous mixing processes, process visualization and many more
Products with very good flow properties, such as (plastic) granulates, many pellets or grains are always suitable for measuring with a FlowSlide scale.
Powders and other bulk materials are also easy to measure, if the flow ability is good.
For critical products a test run with 3–5 liters of material can already provide information about the flow ability inside of the scale. Please contact us if you would like us to test a critical product for you!
For each measuring system, we will coordinate with you whether it is suitable for fulfilling your task and goals.
The smallest device, Baby-FlowSlide 05, can measure accurately from a minimum of 100 litres/h and minimum mass flow rate of 200 kg/h.
The largest device, from the Ultra-FlowSlide series, is suitable for flow rates of up to 600 m³/h.
The scale size is selected based on the maximum volume flow that occurs. The mass flow is measured in kg/h or t/h and the total quantity in kg or t.
It is important that the product is free flowing and does not tend to blocking or sticking.
The FlowSlide can accurately measure products with a bulk density from 0.04 to 7.5 kg/liter.
When selecting the installation position, the type of feeding (rotary valve, screw conveyor, or conveyor belt) should also be taken into account. It is important that there is no significant air flow through the scale. This can be avoided by taking appropriate measures.
Overpressure or underpressure, on the other hand, are not a problem. We will be happy to provide documentation with installation instructions in advance.
The FlowSlide is not suitable for measuring the flow of highly adhesive (sticky) or non-flowable materials. Liquids cannot be measured at all, only bulk materials.
Applications with flow rates of less than 100 l/h, less than 200 kg/h or with very small dosing quantities (batch sizes) must be checked individually.
There is no limit to the service life. The parts in contact with the product are made of high-quality stainless steel in the standard version.
With normal products (fly ash, wood pellets, grain, plastic granulate, etc.), the measuring slide usually lasts more than 5 years.
For abrasive products such as rapeseed or cocoa beans, the parts in contact with the product can be made of Hardox or other wear-resistant materials.
In order to achieve the high accuracy of < 0.5% measurement error, the load cell signal must be measured 250–500 times per second. Therefore, only one FlowSlide scale can currently be connected to one electronics.
The electronic is included in the standard scope of delivery and are required for the high sampling rate, filtering, and high accuracy. The electronics also controls other scale functions such as cleaning, automated zeroing, etc.
The mechanical part of the FlowSlide scale only has the load cell output.
The scale electronics have different interfaces as a standard and can also be equipped with a wide variety of other interfaces such as Profinet, Ethernet, etc. The essential data that is transmitted is the mass flow (kg/h or t/h) and the measured total quantity (kg or t).
The electronic has three counters. These are counting the total quantity until they are reset. The graph shows the mass flow rate (kg/h or t/h) over a period of 30 minutes.
The graphic display visualizes kg/h or t/h, absolute kg or t (3 counters), the load cell signal (mV/V), as well as the cleaning of the measuring chute and other statuses.
Errors are also shown on the display. Flow rate and total quantities can also be stored on a USB stick.
The electronic offer 4–20 mA analogue output, a counter pulse output, Modbus TCP, and serial interfaces as standard outputs. Profibus, Profinet, Ethernet TCP/IP and other interfaces are available as options. The electronic can be connected to an industrial control system or a computer network.
Since there are no moving parts in the flow meter, the FlowSlide is virtually maintenance-free.
Only the parts that come into contact with the product have to be replaced as needed in the case of highly abrasive products.
For abrasive products, there is the option of manufacturing the parts that are in contact with the product from Hardox plates or other wear-resistant materials or a hard chrome plating of these parts is possible.
The FlowSlide does not require periodic maintenance if the products to be measured are dry and are not sticky.
Basically, every device is factory tested and pre-calibrated with a reference bulk material. System accuracy of less than 1% can only be achieved with on-site calibration, as is common with dynamic scales (e.g., belt scales and other inline measurements).
The different infeed situations, in particular the infeed speed into the scale, are optimally compensated for by calibration in the real installation position.
If calibration in the installation position is not possible, a theoretical calibration must be used.
The FlowSlide measures mass flow rate via centripetal force. The force is directly proportional to the mass flow. Therefore, changes in bulk density, particle size and friction have only a minor influence on the measurement accuracy of the FlowSlide scale.
An impact plate detects the impact pulse caused by the product falling on the plate. This impulse is strongly dependent on the properties of the product. Slight differences in bulk density, moisture or elasticity can significantly distort the measurement result - even with the same products.
If the product properties change, the impact scale must inevitably be re-calibrated. Fluidized powders cannot be measured accurately with an impact plate scale either.
Impact scales, on the other hand, are easier to design and are less sensitive to the measurement of poorly flowing products.