Vortex Flowmeters

Vortex Flowmeters

Vortex flowmeters measure flow by placing a bluff body in the stream and detecting the alternating vortices shed downstream; the shedding frequency is proportional to flow velocity and therefore volumetric flow. The technology is positioned as robust and broadly applicable for liquids, gases, and steam, making it a common choice where a single meter type must cover multiple utility and process services.

Because there are no moving parts in the primary sensing section, vortex meters offer stable long-term operation with low maintenance requirements. Beyond basic volume flow, modern vortex instruments can be configured for mass or energy-related calculations when paired with additional variables such as temperature and, where applicable, pressure. This expands their usefulness in steam and compressed-gas systems where density changes materially affect mass flow.

Typical applications include saturated and superheated steam, compressed air, nitrogen, liquefied gases, flue gases, and carbon dioxide, as well as liquids such as demineralized water, solvents, heat-transfer oils, boiler feedwater, and condensate. Vortex technology is applied broadly across chemical and petrochemical services and is also common in power generation and heat-supply systems where operating pressures and temperatures can be demanding.

Engineering best practices center on maintaining a stable flow profile and vortex signal: adequate straight-run, appropriate Reynolds number, and minimization of excessive vibration. Application limits should be evaluated for very low flow, strong pulsation, or two-phase conditions that can disrupt vortex formation. For steam, attention to wetness and temperature measurement strategy supports more accurate mass and energy accounting and helps avoid bias from unrecognized condensate content.

Endress+Hauser’s vortex portfolio includes multivariable devices such as the Prowirl 200, which integrates a temperature sensor and flow computer to support more than simple volumetric reporting. It also offers an option to monitor steam quality and generate an alarm in wet-steam conditions, and it is positioned for use in flow monitoring systems up to SIL 2 and SIL 3 with independent certification.

At Eastern Controls, We are proud to be the exclusive authorized sales and service representative for Endress+Hauser.