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Disposable Flow Meter: Single Use Sanitary Bio-Pharma Laboratory Processing Sensors
Quick Answer: Silver Automation Instruments supplies disposable flow meters for single use sanitary bio-pharma and laboratory processing. Typical sensors cover 0.05 to 80 L/min on 1/8 inch to 1 inch tubing. Outputs include 4-20 mA, pulse, and RS485. Send us your tube ID, flow range, temperature, and batch volume for a detailed quote.
Our team works with vaccine producers, CDMOs, and lab pilot lines in Southeast Asia, Australia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The target is simple. You need a sensor that does not contaminate the batch. You also need a signal that your PLC or data acquisition system can read.
Why Disposable Flow Sensors Are Used in Bio-Pharma
A disposable flow meter sits in the fluid path or around the tubing. Wetted parts are often USP Class VI polycarbonate, polysulfone, or radiation stable silicone. After the batch or campaign, the sensor or flow cell is thrown away. This removes cleaning validation burden. This also reduces cross batch risk.
Here is the thing. A disposable flow meter is not a universal device. You have to match the sensor to tubing ID, viscosity, and gas content. For water like media, single use ultrasonic flow cells are the first choice. For high conductivity liquids, a sanitary electromagnetic flow meter with single use adapters may be better.
Sensor Types and Practical Limits
Single use ultrasonic flow sensor with a disposable flow cell. This is our SU-UF08 series. It covers 1/8 to 3/4 inch tube, 0.02 to 9 L/min, ±2 percent of reading, and 4 bar maximum pressure. Temperature range is normally 4 to 40 °C. This works for filtered media, buffer, and harvest lines.
Clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter with a disposable tube segment. This is our SU-CL25 series. It covers 1/4 to 1 inch, 0.05 to 80 L/min, ±2 percent of reading. The electronics stay dry. The disposable tube segment is replaced each batch. This is common in downstream and tangential flow filtration skids.
Sanitary electromagnetic flow meter with single use tubing adapters. This is our SU-EM series from DN15 to DN50. It covers 0.1 to 300 L/min and ±0.5 percent of reading. Use this for high conductivity media and larger transfer lines.
Field Examples
A vaccine pilot line in Ho Chi Minh City uses a 1/2 inch silicone tubing run with an SU-UF08 sensor. Flow is 2 to 12 L/min. The sensor reads within ±2 percent and sends a pulse signal to a PLC. The site runs three batches daily. The previous glass variable area meter was harder to trend.
A CDM
A lab in Monterrey, Mexico uses a 1/4 inch polycarbonate flow cell for buffer screening. Flow is 0.1 to 1.5 L/min. The customer needed 4-20 mA output and a local display. We added a 24 V DC panel meter.
Outputs and Integration
Standard outputs are 4-20 mA, pulse, and RS485. Most clients pick 4-20 mA for simple PLC cards. Pulse works when you need totalized volume. RS485 is useful when the skid has a digital bus. We normally ship with a 1.5 m cable and an M12 connector. A local display is optional.
What to Send Us for a Quote
Basic single use flow sensor kits start near USD 900 depending on range and calibration. Send us your tube ID, flow range in L/h or kg/h, temperature in °C, pressure in bar, viscosity in cP, and batch volume. Also tell us if the assembly must be gamma sterilized or autoclaved. We quote from our stock in Nanjing and from partner warehouses in Australia and Southeast Asia.
Tel: +86-25-68650347
Whatsapp: +86-25-52155837
WeChat: +86 15365082610
You can also check the sanitary and bio-pharma sensor series on flow-meter.com.au.
FAQ
Does a disposable flow meter replace a magnetic flow meter?
A disposable flow meter can replace a magnetic flow meter on single use lines from 1/8 inch to 1 inch. For DN15 and larger transfer lines with reusable piping, a sanitary electromagnetic flow meter is usually more cost effective.
What accuracy should I expect on a 1/2 inch single use line?
Plan for ±2 percent of reading with an ultrasonic flow cell. Clamp-on versions can also reach ±2 percent on clean water like media if the tube wall is even and the clamp fits correctly.
Can I gamma irradiate the sensor with the rest of the assembly?
Yes, many single use ultrasonic flow cells are gamma stable at 25 to 50 kGy. Check the cable and connector too. Some electronics are not gamma stable, so we keep them outside the disposable section.
Which output is easiest for a single use lab skid?
4-20 mA is the easiest for most systems. Pulse is better for batch volume totals. RS485 is useful when you already have a digital bus and need multiple parameters.
What is the typical lead time for a small order?
For standard single use sensor kits, we ship within 5 to 10 working days. Custom tube size or gamma ready assemblies can take 2 to 4 weeks. A small order of one to ten sensors is acceptable.