Systems operators use thermal mass flow meters in industrial applications to monitor the flow of gases through pipes. Flow meters consist of sensors that determine if there’s been a change in heat to tell if the flow rate has changed. Though we’ve had this technology since the 1970s, few people know how thermal mass flow meters started. Keep reading to uncover the history of thermal mass flow meters.
Thermal Mass vs. Coriolis Flow Meters
Thermal mass flow meters emerged on the market in the mid-1970s, shortly after Coriolis flow meters. The difference between thermal mass and Coriolis flow meters is that Coriolis flow meters measure liquids and gasses while thermal flow meters measure mainly gases. Further, the worldwide market for Coriolis flow meters exceeds $1 billion, while the market for thermal flow meters is under $150 million. The demand for Coriolis flow meters is growing because they’re more accurate and precise.
Early Development of Thermal Flow Meters
A few companies developed the first thermal flow meters in the 1970s. A West Coast company called Fluid Components International developed thermal flow switches that eventually became thermal flow meters in 1981. John Olin and Jerry Kurz made the best-known development for the thermal mass flow meter. They worked for Thermo System Inc in the early 1970s and worked on anemometers consisting of heated tungsten wire or platinum deposited on quartz. The pair wanted to develop something sturdier for industrial applications, but TSI wasn’t interested.
Companies Known for Making Thermal Mass Flow Meters
Kurz and Olin started their own company, Sierra Instruments. It’s still one of the most popular thermal mass flow meter brands today. The company started in Minnesota, near where TSI was, but it quickly moved its operations to California in 1975. Soon after, Kurz developed his own company for thermal flow meters, and Sierra maintained air sampling products in 1977. In 1983, Sierra started selling flow meters again, and eventually, more companies began selling thermal mass flow meters. These companies still sell them today. Here are some of the major ones to know:
- Fox Thermal Instruments
- Sage Metering Inc
- Eldridge Products
- Fluid Components
- ABB
- Endress+Hauser
- Magnetrol
The thermal mass flow meter is an underappreciated technology. But you can use one in nearly every industrial application imaginable. Many companies are still developing this important technology as demand for it grows. Share the history of thermal mass flow meters with your peers and colleagues.
