Steam Meters

Leland Keller

I'm looking for good advice on steam meters available out there for commercial and residential multi-family applications. Who would you recommend, also which meters should I steer away from? I'm looking for good manufacturers to start with & appreciate any input you can offer.

Unknown

Steam meters

Hi Leland

If you plan to use steam meters you first need to determine the application for that meter.

Typically steam meters are used to measure the amount of steam consumed by a building, as you are aware this is to able to charge for the energy use.

Installing a steam meter is an expensive undertaking.

A steam mater unlike the appurtances that use steam must be engineered to record the flow rate from the most minimum through the maximum usage.

To record steam use acurately the steam supply has to be uniform without surging or hunting accross the meter.

Most steam meters have engineered orifice plates installed on the inlet flange. The orfice is used to bring the inlet flow down to the maximum demand that a steam system will use.

This is done because steam piping and regulating valves are often able to supply more than 25% above the load demand.

Basically an engineer needs needs to determine the maximum flow rate for the building before a meter and orifice is selected. Many times the piping configuration at the meter station will need to changed, this is done to lower steam velocities across the meter due to sharp bends and turns in the piping.

As far as steam purchases go any company that manufacturers steam meters for utilities that sell steam to customers is a good company to buy a meter from.


Jake

Unknown

You could meter the condensate, too.

It's accurate and cheaper.

Noel