Steam Flow Meters for Saturated & Superheated Steam

We supply VorTek Instruments vortex and multivariable steam meters for saturated and superheated service. Multivariable models measure velocity, temperature and pressure in a single insertion point and compute true mass flow — which is the number you need. A velocity-only meter will misreport as steam pressure varies, and steam pressure always varies.

Choosing a steam meter

• Saturated or superheated? Saturated steam density can be derived from pressure alone. Superheated steam needs both pressure and temperature, which means a multivariable meter.
• Mass flow or volumetric? For cost allocation and energy balance you need mass flow (lb/hr). Volumetric flow at varying pressure is not a usable billing basis.
• Line size and flow turndown — vortex meters have a minimum velocity below which they stop registering. Oversized lines with low flow are the most common cause of a steam meter reading zero.
• Insertion or inline? Insertion meters install through a hot tap and suit large lines. Inline meters are more accurate on smaller lines.

See meter selection help for steam metering, or send us your line size, operating pressure, temperature and expected flow range and we will size it.

Steam metering across the wider utility picture

Steam rarely stands alone. Plants that meter steam usually also need compressed air flow metering, BTU metering on the hydronic side and electric submetering on the boiler and pump loads. All of it lands in one dashboard rather than four — see Managed Intelligence.