PTFM 6.1 Portable Ultrasonic Flow Meter Achieves Accurate Readings in Farming and Irrigation | Case Study

Discover how the Pulsar Measurement PTFM 6.1 Portable Transit-Time Flow Meter helped an agricultural management company overcome challenging water conditions and achieve reliable flow measurements for farming and irrigation applications.

Accurate water flow measurement is essential for modern agriculture, irrigation management, and industrial water distribution. When water is drawn from dams, rivers, or other natural sources, reliable flow data helps operators monitor consumption, evaluate system performance, and manage water distribution more effectively.

In this case study, an agricultural management company, DSG, worked with SFS Chile, a representative of Pulsar Measurement, to identify a portable ultrasonic flow meter suitable for measuring water consumption across multiple irrigation lines.

The challenge was significant: the water conditions could change from relatively clean to turbid, with suspended solids and debris affecting ultrasonic signal performance.

The solution was the Pulsar Measurement PTFM 6.1 Portable Transit-Time Flow Meter, which achieved a strong signal and the required flow readings when configured with the appropriate SE16C transducers.

The Challenge: Reliable Flow Measurement for Agricultural Irrigation

Agricultural operations often depend on water transported from dams and other sources through extensive pipe networks. Monitoring flow at different locations helps operators assess water distribution, investigate system performance, and identify potential flow problems.

DSG already had an inline flow measurement system but required a portable flow meter that could be moved between different pipework locations.

One particularly challenging application involved a 200 mm (8-inch) water intake pipe carrying water from a local dam.

Although the water was usually clean, weather conditions such as heavy rain and strong winds could introduce sediment and debris. Existing filters reduced suspended solids but could not remove every particle, resulting in changing water conditions.

These variations created a measurement challenge because ultrasonic flow meters rely on different measurement principles depending on the properties of the liquid.

DSG needed a practical solution for portable water flow measurement, irrigation system verification, and flow monitoring under changing water conditions.

Testing the PTFM 6.1 and PDFM 5.1 Flow Meters

SFS Chile initially recommended the PTFM 6.1 Portable Transit-Time Flow Meter with SE16B transducers.

The SE16B transducers are suitable for pipe diameters of approximately 50–250 mm (2–10 inches), making them appropriate for the 200 mm intake pipe. They also support a range of common pipe materials.

However, the initial test did not produce a usable ultrasonic signal.

Because the water could contain suspended particles, the team then evaluated the PDFM 5.1 Portable Doppler Flow Meter. Doppler flow measurement uses ultrasonic signals reflected by suspended particles or gas bubbles in the liquid. The PDFM 5.1 produced a strong signal under the conditions encountered during testing.

Although this demonstrated the suitability of Doppler technology for the water conditions at that time, SFS Chile decided to conduct another trial with the PTFM 6.1.

For the second test, the team changed to SE16C transducers, which operate at a lower frequency and can be advantageous in certain challenging applications.

The result was a strong signal from the PTFM 6.1, providing the flow measurement capability DSG needed.

Transit-Time vs. Doppler: Choosing the Right Ultrasonic Flow Meter

Selecting the right ultrasonic flow meter depends on the liquid, pipe characteristics, installation conditions, and required measurement performance.

Transit-Time Ultrasonic Flow Measurement

Transit-time flow meters measure the difference in the travel time of ultrasonic signals moving with and against the direction of liquid flow. They are generally suited to relatively clean liquids with little suspended air or solids.

The PTFM 6.1 is a portable, clamp-on transit-time flow meter designed for checking flow at different locations without cutting into the pipe.

Doppler Ultrasonic Flow Measurement

Doppler flow meters use signals reflected from suspended particles or gas bubbles within the liquid. They can be suitable for applications where sufficient suspended material is present to produce a usable reflected signal.

In DSG's application, the PDFM 5.1 generated a strong signal during the initial evaluation, demonstrating the importance of considering actual water conditions when selecting measurement technology.

Why Transducer Selection Matters

The case study highlights the importance of selecting the appropriate transducer for the application. The PTFM 6.1 supports SE16A, SE16B, and SE16C transducer options for different pipe sizes and measurement requirements.

By switching from the SE16B to the SE16C transducers, SFS Chile was able to obtain the required signal during the second trial.

This demonstrates why ultrasonic flow meter selection, transducer compatibility, and application assessment are important considerations when measuring water flow in demanding environments.

Key Features of the PTFM 6.1 Portable Flow Meter

The PTFM 6.1 provides practical features for field measurements, system verification, and industrial troubleshooting.

Portable clamp-on design
The meter can be moved between suitable measurement locations without cutting into the pipe, making it useful for temporary flow checks and troubleshooting.

Multiple transducer options
The SE16A, SE16B, and SE16C transducers support different pipe sizes and application requirements, subject to the manufacturer's specifications and installation conditions.

Integrated data logging
The instrument includes a 12-million-point data logger for storing time- and date-stamped readings at configurable intervals from 10 seconds to 60 minutes.

On-screen Flow Report
Users can review daily total, minimum, maximum, and average flow rates in a 24-hour summary covering the previous 365 days.

Flexible field applications
The PTFM 6.1 can support flow verification, system performance evaluation, and troubleshooting across suitable agricultural, water management, and industrial applications.

The Result: A Successful Flow Measurement Solution

The second trial demonstrated that the PTFM 6.1, when configured with the SE16C transducers, could produce a strong signal under conditions that had challenged the initial setup.

SFS Chile shared the following feedback:

“Concerning this application, the PTFM 6.1 with the B and C transducers could measure in conditions that the PTFM 1.0 formerly could not.”

Following the successful trial, DSG decided to purchase a PTFM 6.1 to continue measuring flow at different points along the dam system.

The outcome illustrates the importance of matching ultrasonic flow measurement technology and transducer configuration to the application rather than relying on a single setup for every water condition.

For agricultural operators, irrigation system managers, and industrial users, portable flow measurement can provide valuable information when verifying water distribution and investigating system performance.

Applications for Portable Ultrasonic Flow Meters

Portable ultrasonic flow meters can be useful across a range of suitable applications, including:

• Agricultural water flow measurement

• Irrigation system monitoring

• Dam intake and water distribution assessment

• Industrial water flow verification

• Pipe flow troubleshooting

• Temporary flow measurement surveys

• Pump and process system performance checks

• Water management and conservation projects

The appropriate meter and transducer configuration should always be selected according to the actual liquid conditions, pipe specifications, and application requirements.

Looking for a Portable Ultrasonic Flow Meter in Malaysia?

HSA Asia Sdn Bhd supplies instrumentation solutions for flow measurement, water monitoring, and industrial applications in Malaysia.

If your project requires a portable ultrasonic flow meter, clamp-on flow measurement instrument, or irrigation flow monitoring solution, our team can help you review your application requirements and identify a suitable product.

Whether you need to verify water flow across multiple pipe locations, troubleshoot an existing system, or evaluate an agricultural water distribution network, selecting the correct instrumentation is an important step towards obtaining useful and reliable measurement data.