Why electromagnetic flowmeters offer an attractive solution for a more sustainable world of water
Increasingly unpredictable weather patterns coupled with growing populations putting increased pressure on already stressed water supplies requires stringent management of the world’s freshwater resources. This article contributed by ABB Measurement and Analytics explains why electromagnetic flowmeters present the best solution for ensuring the accurate measurement of flow needed to preserve and conserve water supplies for both current and future generations.
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The world’s water supply is under pressure with increasing demands from urbanization industrialization and agriculture putting a strain on resources. It is vital that water utilities are in control of their supply and water is delivered to where it is needed, when it is needed. But with many thousands of kilometers of pipelines, across rugged terrain and often in environments that are difficult to access, ensuring that every drop gets to where it is needed can be a difficult task.
It is estimated that by 2030, the gap between demand and supply of water within Asia will stand at 40 percent, with over 90 percent of the region’s population facing an imminent water crisis. Such dramatic figures show just how important it is that water supplies are managed as tightly as possible.
Although some countries have made progress in tracking water supply and ensuring it is not needlessly lost, others have yet to get to grips with the problem. With losses often running into high double figures, the problem of lost water from distribution networks clearly needs to be tackled. In 2019, a report by the International Water Association estimated that globally, 346 billion litres of treated water are lost every day. Replacing these losses requires the use of a great deal of energy and other resources, adding a further impact on the environment. The associated expense, together with the reduced revenue arising from lost water could be put to better use upgrading the water network. The water industry must therefore do all it can to locate and repair leaks and identify what is causing them, so that water loss can be minimized.
Measuring flow
Measuring water flows is key to being able to tackle the problem of lost water by providing an understanding of how much is being lost and where it is being lost from.
When deciding how to measure flow it is important to think about where in the network the measurement is being taken from. Many water companies don’t take enough measurements from around the network to enable them to obtain a full picture of what is going on and where and why any problems in the network may be occurring. When monitoring and understanding a water network, the more data available the better. By measuring widely around the network, water companies have the best chance of understanding where loses are happening and why, which will allow them to put in place strategies to resolve the problem.
A further consideration when deciding how to measure flow is how easy any device is to install, access and maintain. Water pipelines pass through a variety of environments, from remote areas with difficult terrain, through to busy towns and cities. All environments present their own distinct challenges, and it is important to select the technique which is best suited to the job.
The benefits of electromagnetic flowmeters
Electromagnetic flowmeters are one of the most reliable and versatile methods of measuring water loss and have seen considerable advances in recent years. They also offer many benefits. They are highly accurate with uncertainty as low as +/- 0.4% or better compared to other methods. This is important when measuring water loss as it allows water companies to identify, with a greater degree of certainty, what is legitimate usage versus a leak or other source of water loss. They also show a high level of repeatability throughout their operational life.
Reliability and versatility
Electromagnetic flowmeters are also very reliable. As they have no moving parts, they don’t suffer from the wear and tear which happens with mechanical designs. This means they are often considered to be a low maintenance option in comparison to some other types of flowmeters. Costs are also reduced as they do not need upstream strainers to filter sediment.
As electromagnetic flowmeters do not need defined lengths of pipeline upstream or downstream from the point of measurement to take accurate readings, they are perfect for environments where space is limited such as in busy town and cities
Remote digital monitoring
Traditionally, mains power was needed for flowmeters to operate. While this is not a problem in urban areas, it can prove problematic in more remote regions. This problem was addressed in the early 90s, when ABB launched the world’s first ever battery-operated AquaMaster flowmeter, allowing monitoring to take place without access to a mains power supply. The advent of these devices opened new possibilities for accurate measurement of water flows in locations which had previously been too difficult to reach.
The latest generation of digital electromagnetic flowmeters allow data to be obtained with ease. At present, manufacturers are exploring the idea of using Lower Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN) band and Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) technologies. These technologies enable data on measurement, configuration and maintenance to be accessed quickly and with less power than it would take with more traditional devices, opening new possibilities for collecting real-time data from across water networks.
Ethernet connectivity on the devices increases simplicity, flexibility and reliability and offers access to additional information, such as measurement of density, conductivity, or concentration of the medium.
A major cause of burst pipes and water leaks is pressure in the system and so effective pressure management is vital to ensure the best performance of any water distribution network. Increasingly, devices are being used to monitor both flow and pressure – a solution which further simplifies the management and monitoring of the network. By integrating measurements into one device, data can be remotely downloaded and shared via a smart device, allowing easier analysis and a more complete picture of any problems.
Cost savings
Managing and maintaining water networks is a costly business. In addition to the CAPEX costs associated with commissioning and installing flowmeters, there are also ongoing operations and maintenance costs, as well as training of technicians and operators to use the devices. ABB’s AquaMaster4 electromagnetic flowmeter offers Near Field Communications (NFC) technology, which allows users to download configuration settings and retrieve diagnostic, logging and operational data simply by tapping the transmitter with a smart device such as a phone or tablet loaded with ABB’s Velox app. They also consume significantly less power than traditional mains-powered devices. This is an important feature in a world with rapidly rising energy costs and reduces the cost of ownership substantially.
The AquaMaster4 also features four-wire Ethernet. This combines classic outputs with future communication protocols, making them a good long-term solution for monitoring flow. The inclusion of Power over Ethernet (PoE) also makes it possible to use the same cable for both power and communications. This allows the devices to be installed in many different locations such as in industrial water measurement and control applications.
With water being such a valuable resource, it is important that it is not wasted and that any devices installed on the network provide the highest levels of accuracy, reliability and performance. The range of opportunities and benefits that are being opened by advances in electromagnetic flowmeters makes them a highly useful tool in helping water operators around the world to get to grips with the problems of lost water.
For more information about the flow measurement solutions available for the water industry, visit www.abb.com/flow.
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