The MIM electromagnetic flowmeter was developed as a complete solution for measuring and monitoring small to medium flow rates of conductive liquids in systems. This flow meter operates based on the electromagnetic measurement principle (also referred to as magnetic inductive).
According to Faraday’s Law of magnetic induction, a voltage is induced in a conductor moving through a magnetic field. The electrically conductive measuring agent acts as a moving conductor. The voltage induced is proportional to the flow velocity and is therefore a value for the volumetric flow rate.
For the flow meter to function correctly, the flowing media must have a minimum conductivity of ≥ 20 µS/cm. The induced voltage is picked up by the two sensing electrodes which are in contact with the measuring agent and sent to the measuring amplifier. The flow rate will then be calculated based on the cross-sectional area of the pipe. A key advantage of this operating principle is that the flow measurement is not dependant on the process liquid and its material properties such as density, viscosity and temperature. Typically, with an electromagnetic flow meter there are no moving parts in the measuring device and this can be a critical benefit to many industrial applications.
For an introductory overview of the MIM electromagnetic flow meter, please watch our video below:
Magnetic Inductive Flow Meter Features & Benefits
The MIM all-metal flow meter is suitable for flow ranges from 0.01 up to 350 l/min, pressures of up to 16 BAR, temperatures of up to +140°C and offers various connections and mounting methods. This flow meter also boasts several significant characteristics, including:
- Stainless Steel Design for high corrosion resistance and media compatibility.
- Combined Flow and Temperature Measurement incorporated in the standard unit.
- Monitoring, Dosing and Transmitter functions built in.
- Dosing Function features an external control input.
- Coloured, multi-parameter configurable TFT-Display which is rotatable in 90° increments.
- Bidirectional measuring for installation in any position.
- Intuitive Setup menu via 4 optical touch keys.
- 2 Configurable Outputs including pulse, frequency, alarm and analogue type.
- Grand and resettable Totaliser function built in.
From the MIM concept, our manufacturing partner Kobold have produced a high quality and versatile compact flow meter for measuring conductive liquids, ensuring suitability for a wide range of industrial applications. Heavy duty construction in stainless steel body material provides end users with a very clean and robust instrument module. The niche design of the 90° step indexable TFT display screen is clever, yet simple and robust, offering the perfect solution for any multi-directional flow applications, all completely programmable from the touch screen interface. An additional bonus feature of the TFT display screen is that it can be used by operators wearing gloves. Unlike some of the other TFT screens on the market using inclination sensors for screen position, the MIM screen remains clear and stable in use, a reminder of our instinctive preference for simplified practical functionality and reliable service.
As you would expect, the MIM instrument incorporates all the practical control and display features required in most process applications as standard. This includes bidirectional measuring, combined flow, temperature, and volume measurement, monitoring, and transmitting. Dual configurable outputs can be selected such as analogue, frequency, pulse, and switching, but also switched dosing and controlled start/stop for the dosing function.
Where would you use an Electromagnetic Flow Meter?
The MIM magnetic inductive flow meter can be considered for a broad range of applications and industries, including the following case studies:
- Food & Beverage – such as coating of sausage packaging with viscose. Viscose with a precisely set amount is sprayed into the sausage packaging. Prior to the development of the MIM, measurement was performed with MIK, however the MIM is a significant improved solution due to its integrated temperature measurement and easy on-site programmability. Another example includes smart milk dispensing apparatus, where the flow is controlled via the scaled pulse output to PLC (pre-set dosing quantities via HMI panel).
- Plant Construction – such as vacuum concentration and water-cooled freeze-drying processes in plants. These are related processes that are used for gentle drying of preservation of thermosensitive materials. A well-known example relating to the food & beverage industry is the freeze-drying of coffee to soluble granules (instant coffee) as well as other instant powder drinks. Even fruits for cereal flakes and herbs & spices are freeze-dried so that they can retain their colour, taste and any essential oils. Other examples can include filling of liquid soap for consumer products and tank filling lines in breweries & microbreweries.
- Water Treatment – such as flow rate measurement after filtration in water systems. This specific example utilised the MIM on a portable and modular test system with a very tight space claim. The MIM was successful over leading competitor units thanks to the compact design, stability on the pulse output and ability to measure smaller flow rates (down to 40 – 150 ml/min of water @ 0.2 BAR and +20°C).
- Automotive – such as cooling in the production of carbon fibres. During this process, continuous filaments of raw material (polyacrylonitrile) pass through a long kiln system, where the fibres are carbonated at temperatures of +1,300 to +1,800°C in a pyrolysis process. In order to cool the furnace system, cooling elements streamed with water are mounted on all sides. In this specific example, the 124 cooling elements on one section of the furnace were previously monitored by variable area flowmeters (rotameters). The end user decided to upgrade to the MIM solution thanks to the superior TFT display and combined flow & temperature monitoring capabilities.
- Agriculture – such as controlling the extraction and application of well water for irrigation of green areas. During this process, the flow rate is determined and since the capacity of the well can be influenced by fluctuating groundwater levels and by the extraction at several other entry points, a time-controlled solution is not possible here. In this specific example, the irrigation is automatically stopped by a signal from the MIM flow meter after a pre-determined volume has been drawn out. Another example can include the controlled and accurate mixing of water and neem oil as an additive for plant fertiliser production.
- Chemical – such as dosing during the filling of antifreeze at filling services. Filling service is a process in which privately-held companies outsource the bottling, labelling and packaging of their product to another company. At a chemical plant, filling of automotive antifreeze was being done for VW and there were obvious issues in the difference of filling levels/quantities of the containers during an audit. The dosing from the supply lines is now done by the MIM units to ensure highly accurate flow measurement throughout the entire control loop for superior reproducibility.
The applications list does not stop there, and others may include cooling water circuits for the glass industry or metal processing (rolling mills), water consumption measurement in laboratory or testing institutes (eg. washing machines or dishwashers), seals for auxiliary circuits in the process industry, leak testing in portable oil & gas refinery systems and many more.
Custom Flow Meter Solutions
The MIS magnetic inductive flowmeter is a versatile full bore flow sensing instrument, suitable for a wide range of applications where the transit fluids are conductive (and typically water based). By utilising the modular digital electronics pack from the highly successful MIM mag flowmeter, the result is a compact range of sizes from DN40 and ASME 1½” to DN200 and ASME 8” covering flow rate ranges from 0.2 to 1000 m³/h. In comparison to the more comprehensive EPS full bore flowmeter range, the MIS provides a very competitively priced magnetic inductive flowmeter to suit most industrial applications.
Here is a perfect example of Kobold products creatively adapted to provide real application solutions. The MIS magnetic inductive flowmeter is incorporated into a portable skid for agricultural applications where cable power is not available. The project was led by an expert technician, who designed this portable battery powered batch control system for a water based liquid fertiliser application where the MIS flowmeter is key for accurate measurement and batching. This skid was built and certified by Kobold GB as a custom solution for an end user.
If you have any bespoke requirements or applications where you require extra assistance, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our experienced team by clicking here.
Other Flow Monitors and Flow Meters
Whether you require fixed set point (non-adjustable) or adjustable flow switches, continuous flow monitors or flow meters, we can help you with a suitable solution. To explore our full range of flow monitoring products, please visit our category page here.
For our detailed guide on how flow switches work and how to correctly select a one, please click here to visit our specific tailored blog post.
For technical support on selecting the right component for your application, get in touch with our team here.