Mass Flow Controller (MFC) is a device that regulates the flow of liquid or gas at an adjustable rate. It consists of an inlet port, outlet port, sensor and proportional control valve. These little devices are integral to a lot of plumbing and industrial spaces, so read the following information to learn a little more about them.
What is an MFC?
MFCs utilize a closed loop control system to compare the value from the sensor with that set by the proportional control valve, ensuring accurate flow control that remains steady regardless of external pressure changes. This guarantees accurate measurement and prevents fluctuations in rate caused by pressure changes.
These electronic devices are used for a variety of different controlling functions for directing the flow of gaseous and liquid materials. They’re widely used in chemical, semiconductor, metal and mining industries as well as many other fields.
The instruments involved employ a mass sensor (which is described here), an inlet and outlet port, and proportional control valve to precisely measure the rate of gas or liquid flow. The control system compares the value of the mass sensor with an operator-provided input signal before altering the proportional valve accordingly for desired rates.
This closed loop control system ensures accurate and repeatable measurement of gas or liquid flow without being affected by changes in pressure. The controller does not drift and requires no recalibration while in operation.
MFCs usually feature a particulate filter, pressure regulator and positive shut off valve as part of their installation. They may also include ancillary flow components like gas dividers and metering pumps – things that any professional will be aware of when they complete the job on your site.
How Does an MFC Work?
MFCs come in several varieties. Thermal meters use a sensor and heater that heats or cools the media being measured, while others rely on Coriolis principle measurements of mass flow that feature an inlet/outlet port, sensor, proportional valve, and closed loop control system. When compared with an operator-provided input signal (e.g., external circuit or computer), MFC adjusts according to desired rate.
Coriolis flow meters work on the principle that fluid motion through a tube causes a phase shift in vibration of that tube, producing an output directly proportional to how much liquid flows through them.
Coriolis devices measure the flow of gasses and liquids in various industrial applications, such as LED production tools and semiconductor fabs, chemical gas, and biopharmaceuticals. Their precision is high; they’re engineered for maximum accuracy.
The pumps inside a Coriolis device boast fast response times and are optimized for a range of rates, making them suitable for many applications. Customers can adjust the settings to achieve optimal performance under any condition, but factory preset tuning may also be provided when certain specifications are known.
What are the Advantages of an MFC?
The main advantage for which MFCs are employed in many industries is to increase the efficiency and reduce costs of operations while also helping to boost productivity while saving money on product production. They may also prevent waste production and protect the environment.
MFCs can be programmed with a valve “hold” function that prevents changes in process pressure from impacting rates. This feature (shown here: http://www.teledyne-hi.com/products-services/thermal-mass-flow) comes in handy when changing pressure levels gradually over time. In the long run, this will save a ton on money and material.
These controllers also offer features like alarm states and totalized rates, which allow users to monitor their instrument’s status in real time and make necessary adjustments as needed.
MFCs offer the unique capability of gathering and processing large amounts of data. These devices can measure temperature, pressure, volume – you name it!
Furthermore, these products can integrate with other instruments in the system and provide useful data to aid decision-making. As a result, many customers are opting to incorporate these products into their automation systems.
MFCs can also be utilized in aeration, fuel research and injection applications. Food aeration requires accurate gas injection into an item because oxygen levels within the airstream change as temperature and pressure of that item change. Fuel research applications often utilize hydrogen to begin and control reactions – precise gas control ensures this occurs at precisely the right time.
One disadvantage of Coriolis meters is that they cannot accommodate larger pipes and are expensive compared to other transitional meters. Thermal meters on the other hand, are applicable for a wider range of fluids with high accuracy levels, making them accessible to a lot of different industrial professionals in a wide range of fields.
Injecting gasses into pharmaceutical drugs is a common practice in the industry, so accuracy when controlling mass transitions must be paramount. If the rate is too high or too low, the drug can become broken down or dissolved and an excessive amount of product could be wasted in order to help maintain an accurate balance of material to liquid.
