Distinguishing among communication options This article presents an overview of Alicat’s various communication options. For more detailed specifications, check this page. Choosing the best communication protocol to work with your Alicat devices depends on factors such as: Preference for analog, serial, or industrial protocol communication Required operating distance Required data transfer speed Desired device linking […]
Alicat mass flow and pressure instruments are designed with a variety of features to improve process monitoring and control. Most of these features come standard with the specified flow and/or pressure devices, however optional features are indicated as such. Easy to use, multivariate meters and controllers All flow and pressure devices are available with monochrome backlit […]
What type of fluid can be flowed through an Alicat flow instrument? Alicat devices can be customized to flow a wide range of fluids, however each device has its own unique capabilities. Taking a look at gas flow vs. liquid flow devices can help you get the most out of your instruments while minimizing risk […]
What is mass flow? Most Alicat devices measure and control the mass flow rate of a gas. As gas flows through an Alicat, it passes through a flow channel with temperature and pressure sensors. These sensors measure the instantaneous temperature and pressure of the gas stream, and use that information in combination with known gas […]
What is the difference between mass flow and volumetric flow? Understanding the difference between mass flow and volumetric flow is important when determining which flow instrument is right for your application. Here we introduce the concepts of mass flow and volumetric flow and discuss use cases for each measurement. What is a volumetric flow rate? […]
Alicat mass flow instruments operate on the principle of differential pressure-based laminar flow measurement.
Operating principle: Coriolis mass flow technology Alicat’s CODA-Series of mass flow meters and controllers utilizes the Coriolis operating principle and uses the single tube setup described below. The measurement process is demonstrated in this video: The Coriolis effect is commonly used to explain why hurricanes, tornadoes, and typhoons spin clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere and […]
Many processes require corrosive gases like ammonia or sulfur dioxide that cause damage to the instrument. These Alicats are built to withstand tough process conditions; configured to thrive in harsh ambient conditions.
Calibration and accuracy specifications for Alicat devices Each device that goes through an Alicat calibration comes with a NIST-traceable Certificate of Calibration. This guarantees that the device’s calibration can be traced back to primary SI standards such as mass and pressure. As a result, an Alicat device will output mass flow rates that fall within […]
What is laminar flow? Laminar flow is key to the operating principle of Alicat differential pressure instruments, enabling them to output highly accurate mass flow rates across very wide measurement and control ranges. In this article, we briefly discuss different flow types with a focus on laminar flow. Turbulent, laminar, and transitional flow When flowing […]