Energy and power plants

Seal water flow measurement

Power plants rely on a large number of centrifugal pumps in auxiliary and support processes. These pumps are typically equipped with mechanical seals that require a continuous and reliable supply of seal water for lubrication and cooling. In critical power generation environments, unplanned shutdowns caused by seal failure must be avoided.

Kytola seal water flow meter solutions are widely used to safeguard pump operation and ensure process continuity. Continuous monitoring of seal water conditions enables early detection of abnormal behavior, helping operators prevent seal damage and maintain reliable plant operation.

Kytola key capabilities for power plant applications

• Continuous condition monitoring with SLM Smart
  The SLM Smart provides 4–20 mA outputs for both flow and pressure, enabling 24/7 condition monitoring through the plant automation system. Deviations in flow and pressure values can indicate seal wear or leakage at an early stage, supporting predictive and preventive maintenance strategies.
• Robust design for demanding environments
  Designed for power plant conditions, Kytola SLM seal water flow meters tolerate dirty and contaminated seal water and challenging operating conditions without clogging. The rugged construction ensures long-term, failure-free operation in critical auxiliary systems.
• Flexible product range and ready-to-install solutions
  Kytola SLM seal water flow meters are compatible with a wide variety of pump types and seal arrangements. A comprehensive range of models and accessories, combined with customization capabilities, allows Kytola to deliver ready-to-install, plug-and-play solutions tailored to specific power plant requirements.

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Air or water purging/dosing

In energy and power generation processes, variable area flow meters are widely used in purging and auxiliary applications involving inert gases, air, or water. These flow meters support safe plant operation by protecting instruments and processes, and they are often used to ensure the reliable performance of devices such as pressure and differential pressure transmitters. Flow meters are also applied in emission control and gas analysis systems.

Below are some of the most common applications in energy and power plants:

Continuous purging of pressure and differential pressure impulse lines
To prevent clogging of impulse lines and to keep liquids or vapors out of the sensing system, continuous and balanced purging is required. Using a Kytola constant flow regulator combined with a variable area flow meter ensures equal and stable purge flow to both sensing lines. The constant flow regulator maintains a fixed purge rate even when back pressure at the process connection varies, ensuring accurate and reliable transmitter operation.

Ammonia water injection for SCR and SNCR DeNOx processes
In power plants, nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions are commonly reduced by injecting ammonia water into boiler flue gases in SCR or SNCR systems. In this process, NOx is converted into nitrogen and water. Kytola metal tube model MP flow meters are well suited for ammonia water dosing under these conditions, while Kytola’s variable area flow meter model LH is typically used for measuring the carrier gas flow.

Tank blanketing with inert gas
Tanks containing flammable liquids require inert gas blanketing to reduce the risk of fire or explosion. In these systems, nitrogen is purged into the vapor space above the liquid level to displace oxygen and maintain a protective atmosphere. Kytola variable area flow meters are used as part of the blanketing system to monitor and maintain a stable inert gas flow.

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Flushing and cooling waters

Energy and power generation processes contain many cooling circuits. To ensure optimal performance and safety flow rates need to be controlled. Deionized water is used to prevent corrosion in the piping and other equipment. The cooling of power electronics needs to be done using deionized water. Kytola Smart flow meters with 4-20 mA output are an ideal choice for deionized cooling water as their operation does not require water conductivity.

• Stable and reliable performance
  Kytola V and K Smart variable area flow meters with 4-20 mA output offer the robustness and simplicity of mechanical flow meters added with remote readability and connectivity to upper level control and automation systems. Kytola’s Smart products base on the 4-20 mA output technology. It is a game-changing solution that provides operational reliability and stability added with dual real-time monitoring of flow rate and pressure.
• Operates with ultrapure water (UPW)
  Ultrapure water with almost zero conductivity can’t be measured using electromagnetic flow meters. Kytola’s Smart products with 4-20 mA output are a safe and sustainable solution in the harsh conditions where UPW is present.

Read more about Kytola Smart products with 4-20mA