Free engineering calculators and unit convertersceo@instrumentationblog.in
Flow Measurement · Glossary

What is a Flow Totalizer?

m³, kg, LFlow Measurement

A flow totalizer adds up flow rate over time to give the total volume or mass that has passed.

Advertisement

Flow Totalizer Explained

Totalisers count pulses or integrate the flow signal. They run in the meter, in a separate counter or in the DCS or PLC.

Errors come from wrong K factors or scaling, missing a low flow cutoff, or counting reverse flow. Totals are often reset per batch, shift or day.

Flow Totalizer Formula

Total = ∫ Q dt ≈ Qaverage × t
Qflow rate
ttime
Example: 18 m³/h for 8 h gives 144 m³.
Advertisement

Calculators for Flow Totalizer

CalculatorFlow Totalizer CalculatorFree online calculator with formula and worked example.CalculatorK Factor CalculatorFree online calculator with formula and worked example.CalculatorLevel Rate to Flow CalculatorFree online calculator with formula and worked example.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Flow Totalizer?

A flow totalizer adds up flow rate over time to give the total volume or mass that has passed.

Why do two totalisers on the same meter differ?

Different scaling, cutoffs, update rates or reverse flow handling. Compare the settings, not just the totals.

Should totalising use pulses or 4 to 20 mA?

Pulses are more accurate for totals. A 4 to 20 mA signal adds conversion and sampling error.

You May Also Like

Learn more on the blog

What factors affect the stability of flow meter readings?

A practical guide on instrumentationblog.in with more detail on flow totalizer and how it is applied on real plants.

Read Full Article

Related Terms

Flow termK FactorK factor is the number of pulses a flow meter sends for each unit volume of fluid passing through it.Flow termLow Flow CutoffLow flow cutoff forces the flow reading to zero below a set value, so noise and zero drift do not show as…Flow termMeter FactorMeter factor is the ratio of the true volume from a prover to the volume indicated by the meter during…

More Flow Measurement Terms

Flow termStraight Pipe RunStraight pipe run is the length of unobstructed pipe needed before and after a flow meter for an accurate…Flow termFlow ConditionerA flow conditioner is a device placed upstream of a meter that removes swirl and restores a stable…Flow termOrifice PlateAn orifice plate is a thin plate with a precise bore clamped in a pipe; the DP across it is used to…Flow termVenturi TubeA venturi tube is a DP flow element with a smooth converging inlet, a throat and a diverging outlet that…Flow termPitot TubeA pitot tube measures fluid velocity at a point from the difference between total (stagnation) and static…Flow termCoriolis Flow MeterA coriolis flow meter measures mass flow directly from the twist of vibrating tubes, and also measures…

All flow measurement terms · Full glossary A to Z

Advertisement