This comparison is between the Proline Prowirl F 200 from Endress+Hauser and the Rosemount 8800 Multivariable from Emerson Automation Solutions. Two household names and two vortex flow meters designed for steam flow measurement. Let’s see which one wins.
Proline Prowirl F 200 vs Rosemount 8800
Unboxing
The Prowirl has a standard design. Take a peek at Endress+Hauser’s level product line and you’ll see they all look the same. Believe it or not, I consider this a good point. If you’ve used one, then you can use them all and don’t have to waste time learning a new setup and configuration. I like change, but not just for the sake of changing.
On the other side, the 8800 reminds me of a T. rex! I dig this design so much I keep going back to this point, but I’ll let it go after this. Seriously, though, it has a simple design, easy to stay focused on, and that works fine. You have to wonder how this device can do so much with such a small brain. Okay, okay, I’ll stop now.
Communication protocol support
The Prowirl offers more standard protocol options, giving you a wide range of seamless integration. You have HART, PROFIBUS PA, and FOUNDATION Fieldbus, plus you can use output like 4-20 mA, pulse, frequency, and switch! Pretty nice, huh?
The 8800 falls short here, with only HART and FF for digital and 4-20 mA and pulse for output. If you need a wide range of communication, you should probably go with the Prowirl on this one.
Flow sensors
Of course, a good flow sensor should support wide temp ranges, high pressure, and chemical compatibility to guarantee a lifetime in the application.
The crew at Endress+Hauser did their homework on this point. You have a ton of options for material and class 300 pressure. As for temps, the standard version has a range from -40 to 260 degrees Celsius, but if you need more, then step up to the advanced version. It’ll go from -200 to 400 degrees.
You can set it in pipes from 1/2 inch to 12 inches. It also has a max error margin in steam at +- 1 percent for volumetric and +- 1.7 percent for mass. And if you go to liquid, then the accuracy increases!
The 8800 brings a lot of possibilities as well. It has a range of materials like stainless steel, nickel alloy, carbon steel, and kryptonite! (Just joking on that last one.) You can install the 8800 in temps from -200 to 427 degrees Celsius, with class 1500 pressure and line sizes from 1 1/2 to 12 inches.
Temperature sensors
It always saves money if your device has an internal temperature sensor. That way, you don’t have to buy an external one.
Prowirl F 200 offers an elegant solution. The patented differential capacitance sensor (DCS) has an internal temp sensor that provides all the data you need to do the compensation. With it all tucked in, you don’t have to deal with an external cable connecting the transmitter to the sensor body.
The 8800 also has a built-in sensor, but with an external cable. It works the same way as the Prowirl, but the external cable makes for an extra vulnerability in the field. It’s not a terrible point, but not a terrific one, either.
Steam flow measurement
And now we get to the meat of the matter, how these devices can bring value to your steam flow measurement. If you’re switching from a differential pressure flow meter, either of them will put you ahead of the game. Vortex meters provide benefits in installation, maintenance, and more.
Endress+Hauser calls their device “the steam specialist,” and I gotta agree! Safety and quality are important factors in steam management, and the Prowirl delivers. It has both wet steam detection and measurement, which means it can read the quality of your steam and tell you online. This information can help you save energy and avoid accidents.
The Prowirl also provides data on volume, mass, energy, and more. Using its flow computer, you can connect a pressure transmitter directly to the vortex flow meter and make magic happen! With the pressure transmitter connected, it can measure saturated and superheated steam without needing reconfiguration. Unfortunately, the feature is limited from one to four inches. Sad, I know!
The 8800 has the SMART Fluid diagnostic, so if your product shifts from gas to liquid, it’ll sound an alarm. It can also provide heat flow calculations, remote totalization, peak demand, and data logging. You’ll need to add a component to get this information, an external Rosemount flow computer. It’ll receive the data to calculate everything for you. Nice, but it’d be nicer if you didn’t have to add an extra item to the loop.
General information and documentation
Yep, I believe that user experience should factor into your decision. After all, you shouldn’t have to chase info all over the place just to get your device working, right?
Here, Endress+Hauser has ample room for improvement. On the website, it took way too long to find the vortex flow meter, then the right document for the wet steam option. Furthermore, the site doesn’t even offer a mobile experience. No bueno.
Now Emerson got it right! It has a fresh new website, where you can find whatever you need easily with your smartphone or tablet. It also includes microsites where you can find a lot of cool content. I liked the one on flow. Well done.
Both companies have good videos explaining their devices. There you can dive into the details of each flow meter. Emerson still wins this one, though.
Extra features
If you have your wallet ready, then don’t open it yet until you see these bells and whistles.
The Prowirl shows you it cares with integrated Heartbeat technology. Real-time scans on your vortex flow meter can monitor its health, postpone unnecessary calibration and avoid unscheduled downtimes. The HistoROM saves your configuration, so you can swap electronics like magic! Brilliant!
The 8800 vortex flow meter has meter verification, so you can check the device status to make sure everything works properly. You can also do a flow simulation to check your electronics and sensor signal. Best of all, you can repair the sensor without removing the flow meter or stopping the process. I really like that idea, and the bosses will, too.
To make your decision easier, check out this comparison table.
Conclusion
Both vortex flow meters work great for steam, liquid, or gas measurement. As always, you need scale out the meter and check which options offer you the best benefits for your budget.
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