Boosting steam measurement in Food & Beverage processes

Steam is an essential agent in the food and beverage industry. However, typical steam bills can equate to hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. Most food plants produce and distribute what’s known as saturated steam. But steam has less value from an energy and financial standpoint, with 90% of dry steam losing 10% of its energy. 

It's crucial to select the best-fit flow technology for your application. However, if the best-fit technology isn't utilized correctly, it can result in measurement errors. For example, 90% of dry steam will result in an extra 5% of errors for vortex flowmeters and 8% for dP flow solutions, requiring further compensation. These errors can pose safety concerns, too, as excess water in steam piping can result in water hammer issues. 

Additionally, plant personnel must measure and compensate for dryness fraction, comply with ISO 14001, 50001 and other environmental and energy management standards.

Accurate steam production can save users valuable time and money regarding operating and maintenance costs. Furthermore, monitoring the steam process's intricacies can be a critical component of safety as personnel deal with potentially hazardous conditions. Holistically, a more pinpointed approach to the steam process allows plant personnel to become more in tune with their energy savings initiatives.

Steam management starts with a direct utility management objective. Whether a user intends to combat the challenges above about their steam equipment, control systems and infrastructure, or reduce heat loss in the distribution and fuel consumption and boost heat exchanger optimization, accurate and reliable measurement and monitoring remain pivotal. As a result, operational and maintenance efficiencies are also unlocked.