Electromagnetic flow meter meets the challenges of today

(See Baumer at FoodManufacturing.Live, 15 October 2025, on stand 41)

Whilst it is difficult to pinpoint an exact number of water pumping stations in the UK, there are at least tens of thousands when considering both public and private systems.

Flow monitoring is a crucial requirement in pumping stations and other similar industrial water handling applications, helping to ensure efficient operation, optimising performance whilst preventing more serious potential problems. By continuously monitoring flow rates, pumping stations can be optimised to prevent issues such as pump failures, blockages, and excessive energy consumption.

Key aspects of efficient flow monitoring

Accessing real-time data provides operators with continuous data on flow rates, pump performance and well levels, allowing for immediate assessment and response. Data from flow monitoring helps identify issues such as pump cavitation or rising main problems enabling proactive maintenance and the prevention of expensive breakdowns.

Flow monitoring data can be used for regulatory compliance demonstrating compliance with current regulations, particularly regarding permitted storm and sewage overflows, something very much in the public domain at this time.

Cost reductions are always welcomed, and efficient flow management can significantly reduce operational costs and energy consumption.

Types of flow monitoring devices

There are two basic types of flow in water systems and pumping stations: open channel and closed channel (closed pipe) while the type of monitoring and measuring devices is quite varied. For example, open channel flow measurement, ultrasonic flow meters, bubbler flow meters, submerged pressure transducers, closed channel flow measurement and venturi nozzle devices.

Top of the list are direct flow measurement sensors, including electromagnetic flowmeters, ultrasonic flowmeters and Doppler flowmeters. These are also used to monitor pump performance, measuring pump parameters like power consumption, pressure, and runtime, resulting in valuable insights into pump performance.

Baumer's product range includes flow monitoring sensors for industrial water applications. A good example of this is the PFM43 - a compact, yet robust and reliable electromagnetic immersion flow meter developed for handling high-pressure applications up to 100 bar and pipe diameters up to DN2000.

Compared to heavy and more expensive magmeters with a continuous measuring tube, especially for large pipe diameters, Baumer says the PFM43 immersion flow meter offers significant advantages. For example, simple and quick installation of the sensor, even in existing pipes, leads to considerable time and cost savings. And with its high measuring accuracy (measuring deviation xtagstartz2 %), it ensures efficient operation of systems.