Siemens releases its lightest and most compact Coriolis flow meter yet

There are a variety of sensors that can be used in the brewing process, measuring things like level, pressure and temperature. Flow meters, in particular, are an important component of a brewing operation’s intricate water, wort and beer systems. They measure the flow of liquid and/or control the flow of the liquid. Siemens, a global leading supplier of innovative and environmentally friendly automation and drive technology, industrial software and technology-based services, has just released what it’s calling the lightest and most compact Coriolis flow meter yet (with a measuring accuracy of 0.1 percent).

It’s called the Sitrans FC410. With dimensions of only 265(L) x 280(H) x 90(B) millimeters and a weight of 4.6 kilograms in the smallest version (DN 15), the meter is ideal for machine and plant construction or for frame-mounted equipment. The combination of compact design, high accuracy, IP67 degree of protection and a wide variety of functions orients Sitrans FC410 toward use in almost any facility, including craft brewing where space is limited.

With the new Mini Flow Link (MFL) concept, Siemens has succeeded in accommodating transmitter functionalities in the sensor. The digitally based MFL permits a much more compact design without additional assembly work. Sitrans FC410 is therefore flexible enough for installation in confined spaces without any compromise in measuring accuracy or reliability. The digital MFL features a fast signal update of 10 milliseconds and provides not only flow rate data but also the mass, volume, density, and temperature of the medium.

The CompactCurve design of the sensor developed by Siemens ensures a high level of reliability due to its stable zero point, low pressure loss and high immunity to process noise and brewery vibrations. Sitrans FC410 is therefore especially suitable for use in challenging applications where accuracy and reliability in measurements of density and mass are required. The flowmeter also works at pressure levels of up to 100 bar and temperatures of -50 to +200 degrees Celsius without any loss of measuring accuracy. Sitrans FC410 is certified for use in the pharmaceutical as well as food and beverage industries according to the most important standards, such as 3A, EHEDG and FDA.

Sitrans FC410 communicates with Simatic and all other common process control systems via the multidrop-addressable Modbus RTU485 and can be integrated easily into both existing and new systems. Installation and commissioning of the flowmeter require only simple, one-time configuration in the control system with little programming. If a flowmeter is replaced or further flowmeters are connected, the user’s settings are automatically transferred.

For further information on Sitrans coriolis flowmeter, please see www.siemens.com/fc410.