Endress Hauser Flow Transmitters and Prowirl 200 Series Vortex Steam Measurement Hardware

Quick Answer: The Endress Hauser Prowirl 200 Series is a vortex flowmeter for steam, gas, and liquid service. It measures steam mass flow with built in temperature compensation and optional pressure input. Silver Automation Instruments supplies DN15 to DN300 vortex steam meters with PT100 input, 4-20 mA HART output, pulse, and Modbus RTU. Send your steam pressure, temperature, pipe size, and flow range for a direct factory quote.

This article covers the hardware details that matter for steam measurement. We compare the Prowirl 200 Series with Silver Automation Instruments vortex meters in real process conditions.

How the Prowirl 200 Series Handles Steam Flow

Endress Hauser built the Prowirl 200 Series as a two-wire device for liquids, gases, and steam. For steam mass flow, the transmitter uses a built in platinum sensor to read fluid temperature. The onboard steam tables then convert volumetric flow to mass flow in kg/h. The loop powered design means one pair of wires carries both power and the 4-20 mA HART signal.

Most Prowirl 200 models handle process temperatures from -200 °C to 400 °C. Pressure ratings go up to 40 bar or 100 bar. For saturated steam, temperature alone is enough for mass flow. For superheated steam, you need an external pressure input. Many sites wire a separate pressure transmitter to the Prowirl 200 or use a flow computer.

The hardware supports HART 7, pulse output, and status signals. A two-line display is optional. Many units ship with ATEX Zone 1 and IECEx approvals. The display can show kg/h, °C, and total flow at the same time.

Steam Meter Hardware Details That Matter

Here is the thing. A vortex meter for steam is not just a sensor body. The right bluff body, temperature compensation, pressure input, and output signal must match the local control system. Most engineers skip the software setup and focus on mechanical fit and electrical wiring. We have seen this on customer sites many times.

On steam lines the meter body must handle rapid temperature changes. Condensate hammer can damage a sensor if the installation is wrong. Proper warm-up procedures and drain valves are mandatory. The meter needs enough straight run upstream and downstream. Typical values are 15D upstream and 5D downstream for Prowirl 200. The same rule applies to Silver Instruments vortex steam meters.

Pressure drop is low because the vortex bluff body is a small obstruction. But a smaller meter size can increase velocity and cause higher pressure drop. Always check the minimum and maximum flow in kg/h for your actual operating pressure. Do not size a meter by pipe diameter alone.

Silver Automation Instruments as a Direct Factory Supplier

Silver Automation Instruments sells vortex flowmeters for steam from its Nanjing factory. We cover DN15 to DN300 sizes. Standard process temperature range is -40 °C to 350 °C. The body comes in 316L stainless steel or carbon steel depending on the steam pressure class. For steam above 250 °C we use an extended electronics neck to protect the transmitter.

Our vortex steam meter outputs 4-20 mA HART as standard. Pulse output and RS485 Modbus RTU are optional. The signal can show mass flow in kg/h, volumetric flow in m³/h, or energy flow if you connect an external PT100 or pressure transmitter. The electronics support two-wire loop power from 12 VDC to 36 VDC.

Last year a food processing plant in Vietnam replaced six Prowirl meters with Silver Instruments vortex steam meters. The steam line was saturated at 8 bar and 175 °C. Pipe sizes ranged from DN25 to DN80. The plant saved about 40 percent on hardware cost. The PLC wiring did not change because the HART output matched.

Prowirl 200 Series Compared to Silver Instruments

The Prowirl 200 Series is a solid instrument. But the price includes a global brand margin and channel partner markup. Silver Automation Instruments sells from the factory floor. The result is a lower unit price for the same measurement task. Our vortex flow meters are not Prowirl 200 clones. They use a different transmitter board and sensor design. The fit, form, and output signals can often match an existing installation.

For example, a DN50 Prowirl 200 wafer style steam meter with HART output may cost a certain amount in Southeast Asia. A Silver Instruments DN50 vortex steam meter with 316L body, integrated PT100, 4-20 mA HART, and pulse output usually costs 30 to 50 percent less depending on order quantity. Shipping time from Nanjing to Vietnam, Indonesia, or Australia takes 5 to 12 days by DHL or FedEx.

What to Send for a Quote

Send us your pressure (bar), temperature (°C), pipe size (DN), and flow range. Also tell us the steam type: saturated or superheated. We need the output signal expected by your PLC or DCS. If you need ATEX Zone 1 or IECEx, mention the gas group and zone. For custody transfer or internal billing, we can include a flow computer or RS485 Modbus for totalizer reading.

Our engineers check the flow velocity against the Reynolds number and steam density table. They then recommend a meter size that may be smaller than the pipe diameter. This is normal for steam because line sizes are often oversized. Reducing the meter size increases velocity and improves accuracy at low flows.

FAQ: Prowirl 200 Series and Steam Metering

Is the Prowirl 200 Series accurate for saturated steam mass flow? Yes with built in temperature compensation. Typical accuracy is around 1 percent of rate for steam. The same method works with Silver Instruments vortex steam meters.

Does the Prowirl 200 Series need an external pressure transmitter for superheated steam? Yes. Superheated steam density depends on both temperature and pressure. You need an external pressure input or a flow computer. Silver Instruments supports an external 4-20 mA pressure transmitter input.

Can Silver Instruments supply a direct replacement for a Prowirl 200? In most cases yes. The wafer or flanged body fits between the same flanges. The HART output and loop power wiring stay the same. Send us the existing model code and pipe size.

What output signals are available on Silver Instruments vortex steam meters? Standard is 4-20 mA HART. Optional outputs include pulse, frequency, RS485 Modbus RTU, and a two-line LCD display. Loop power is 24 VDC typical.

What is the delivery time for a vortex steam flow meter? Stock models in DN15 to DN100 ship in 5 to 8 working days. Custom flanges or high pressure bodies take 15 to 25 days. We deliver to Southeast Asia, Oceania, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East.

Contact Silver Automation Instruments for a direct quote. Tel: +86-25-68650347. WhatsApp: +86-25-52155837. WeChat: +86 15365082610. Send your pressure, temperature, pipe size, and flow range. We will reply within 24 hours with a specific model and price.

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