Simple, pocket-sized, plug-and-play flow measurement ready for Industry 4.0

Endress+Hauser has introduced the Picomag, a pocket-sized device for measuring the flow of electrically conductive fluids, their process temperature and conductivity.

The Picomag measurement device offers commissioning with Bluetooth using its free SmartBlue App, as well as system integration via an on-board IO-Link connectivity, making it Industry 4.0 ready, the company says.

The device is suitable for quantity measurement or process monitoring of cooling, warm or process water: due to its compact design, it can be installed into any pipe up to 50 mm in diameter, even in confined spaces.

It’s now available with integrated NPT connectivity or can be ordered with a G thread connection. Various process connection adapters are available, such as R-thread, internal thread, Tri-Clamp or Victaulic. The device is said to be a cost-optimized solution for applications where the focus is on high repeatability (±0.1% o.f.s.) — like correctly measuring water flows (with NSF 61 Drinking Water Approval) or for minimizing energy costs in utility applications.

The stainless steel housing units are suitable for process temperatures between –10° to (temporarily) 85°C as well as for process pressures up to 16 bar. It requires no inlet and outlet runs and thus can be mounted directly before or after a pipe bend.

The device’s display allows for quick, easy reading of flow, temperature, conductivity, and totalizer values, the company says.

Errors occurring during operations, e.g. a partial pipe filling or an exceeded temperature limit, are displayed via diagnostic symbols in accordance with NAMUR recommendation NE107.

With Bluetooth connection, it is possible to carry out wireless configuration or data retrieval over 10 m.

Digital data transmission to process control systems via IO-Link technology is compatible with all fieldbus systems and offers maximum flexibility of installation into existing system infrastructures so comprehensive data can be accessed through the control room.

The two designs pictured above are: (left) DN 15 G thread, DN 20, DN 25; and (right) DN 50 NPT.