This section provides an overview for soap film flowmeters as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 10 soap film flowmeter manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked soap film flowmeter companies as of November, 2024: 1.Shimadzu Scientific Instruments., 2.PHYWE Systeme GmbH & Co. KG, 3.GL Sciences Inc.
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Categories Related to Soap Film Flowmeters
Graduated with a master's degree in mechacanical engineering from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Tokyo.
As a student, he was engaged in research on thermophysical properties and materials, such as thermal interface materials and heat insulating materials.
After that, he mainly engaged in the development of coating equipment and CAE work at a chemical manufacturing company. Currently, he is engaged in research and development related to CFD, molecular dynamics, chemical equilibrium, and gas-liquid equilibrium at a food manufacturing company.
Figure 1. Various flow meters
A soap film flowmeter is a type of flowmeter that uses a soap film to measure the flow rate to be measured.
A flowmeter is a measuring instrument that measures flow rate, and there are various types of flowmeters. There are various types of flowmeters, such as ultrasonic flowmeters that use ultrasonic waves to measure the flow rate, differential pressure flowmeters that measure the pressure difference, and hot wire flowmeters that measure the flow rate by placing an electric heating wire inside the pipeline and measuring the amount of heat lost by the fluid in proportion to the flow rate.
Although the vesicle flowmeter measures a small amount of flow, it is a highly accurate and inexpensive flowmeter. Recently, electric annular flowmeters are available that automate all operations at the touch of a button and automatically calculate atmospheric pressure compensation and temperature compensation.
Soap film flowmeters are used to measure minute gas ventilation and leakage volumes, as well as to calibrate various types of flowmeters. The glass tube used for measurement can be made thinner to enable even more minute measurements.
The soap film flowmeter is characterized by its ability to measure gas flow rates accurately and to measure minute gas flow rates. There are many applications that take advantage of these features.
Another advantage of the soap film flowmeter is that it is small and simple in construction, yet it can visibly measure minute flow rates that you may not even notice are flowing. Flow is invisible, but you can visually confirm that it is indeed flowing.
Figure 2. Principle of soap film flowmeter
The soap film flowmeter forms a soap film on the inside surface of a glass tube inside the instrument. By spraying the gas to be measured onto the soap film inside the glass capillary, the film is moved by the velocity of the gas. Since the glass capillary has a known volume, it is possible to calculate the flow rate of the gas to be measured, including the atmospheric pressure and temperature at that time, by measuring the travel time of the soap film with a detector.
However, the disadvantage is that the soap film flowmeter can measure only the length of the glass tube, so continuous measurement is not possible, and since a soap film is used for measurement, it is difficult to measure large flow rates that may cause the soap film to break. This is a disadvantage.
Figure 3. Corrections for atmospheric pressure and temperature
The necessary precautions when using a soap film flowmeter are that the use of a soap film may cause problems such as volume changes due to wetting of the gas from the point of use of the soap film, or permeation through the soap film of some gases. Particular attention should be paid to light gases, such as hydrogen gas. In addition, for precise measurement, atmospheric pressure correction and water vapor pressure correction must be performed.
Soap film flowmeters require little maintenance compared to other flowmeters, but simple maintenance tasks do occur.
Soap Solution Refill
Since the liquid that creates the soap film gradually runs out, it is necessary to check the amount of liquid and replenish it. Replenishment fluid is sold by various manufacturers.
Glass Tube Cleaning
Glass tubes become gradually contaminated by airborne debris and require periodic cleaning.
In addition, the air pump may need to be replaced every few years for manual types and the pulse motor for electric types.
The procedure may vary slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer, but is generally as follows:
If the inside of the glass capillary is not moistened, the soap film will disappear even if it is created. Wetting can be done directly with soap solution in manual meters, or by repeated soap film generation in automated meters.
These flow meters are highly convenient because they can be used easily whenever you want to use them. Read each manufacturer's instructions for detailed procedures.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Shimadzu Scientific Instruments (SSI), founded in 1875 and headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, is a manufacturer of analytical instrumentation and environmental monitoring equipment. The company provides analytical instruments and environmental monitoring equipment across various industries, produced in multiple facilities around the world. The company offers atomic spectroscopy (AA/ICP), as well as balances & scales, and x-ray instruments. Its products are manufactured in China, the Philippines, the U.K., and in Portland, Oregon.
SKC Inc., founded in 1983 with headquarters in the USA, is a manufacturer of industrial hygiene and occupational safety equipment and accessories. The company's products include air sampling equipment, gas and vapor samplers, particulate samplers, bioaerosol samplers, and noise and sound equipment. SKC Inc. also provides PPE and cleansing solutions. SKC Inc.'s services include calibration and repair services for flowmeters and sample pumps, as well as rental services. The company serves a wide range of industries, assisting employers with meeting hygiene and occupational safety requirements.
Chromtech is a company that specializes in the distribution of chromatography products, laboratory supplies, and scientific equipment. They offer a wide range of products including gas chromatography systems, liquid chromatography systems, columns, sample preparation products, and more. Chromtech aims to provide their customers with high-quality products, exceptional service, and technical support to help them achieve their goals. Their website provides customers with detailed information on their products and services, and offers easy online ordering.
GL Sciences Inc., established in 1968 and located in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer of gas/liquid chromatography equipment, pretreatment equipment, and more. The company produces liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry columns as well as gas chromatography/mass spectrometry capillary columns. It also manufactures gas chromatography packed columns and absorbents, disposable filters, tubing products, bioproducts, and cells. Its products are used for petrochemistry, drugs, medicine, semiconductors, cosmetics in the field of industry, water pollution, residual pesticides, and environment.
GL Sciences is a Japanese manufacturer of gas and liquid chromatography equipment that was established in Shinjuku, Japan in 1968. The company produces liquid and gas chromatographs, columns for separating compounds, fillers for making up stationary phases in columns, and consumables. It also offers gas and air sampling equipment, HPLC instruments, and helium leak detectors. The company’s products are used primarily in the life sciences, environmental sustainability, food processing, and mining industries.
Millipore Sigma, formerly known as Sigma-Aldrich, was created in 175 through the merger of Sigma Chemical Company and Aldrich Chemical company and today is a subsidiary of Merck. Millipore Sigma is a life science and biotechnology company serving the industry with several products and services. Some of their product categories include peptide synthesis materials, biochemicals, building blocks, catalysts, chemical biology, chemical synthesis, flavors & fragrances, formulation, lab chemicals, lab safety, APIs, and stable isotopes. Services include characterization, contract manufacturing, custom products, software, support, testing, and mRNA development & manufacturing.
Sibata Scientific Technology Ltd, founded in 1921 at Saitama, Japan is a manufacturer of environmental measurement and occupational health measurement equipment. The company with global clientele produces various scientific measurement and analysis equipment that can range from lab glassware to synthetic reactors. The products line comprise of general lab equipment, extractor, synthetic reactor, Rotary Evaporator and Glass tube oven. These products are used in applications such as occupational safety, food hygiene, water hygiene, hospital and chemical plants as well. The products are ideal for testing quality, measuring dust, precise heating & cooling, personal exposure measurements and many more with more reliability.
PHYWE Systeme GmbH & Co. K.G., founded in 1913 and based in Göttingen, Germany, is a manufacturer and supplier of scientific equipment and accessories. The company also produces other products, such as Sensors & software for school education and scientific research. The e-learning software developed by the company allows educational institutions, colleges, schools, and private institutes to host training courses. The company developed products are catered to education and research sectors. All the equipment and systems manufactured are for physics, chemistry, biology, and applied sciences.
Safety Emporium, founded in 1998 in Lexington, Kentucky, is a supplier of laboratory and safety supplies. The company moved from Kentucky to New Jersey on August 16, 2007. Its product category includes laboratory, showers, fire, safety, and facility equipment. It is an authorized distributor of Guardian Equipment's line of safety showers, eye/face washes, drench hoses, and combination safety stations. It offers fire safety supplies from brands like Ansul, Amerex, Brooks Equipment, Eagle Manufacturing, and Wooden Mallet. It also provides customized products to meet specific requirements and serves customers in 114 countries plus Antarctica.
Air-Met Scientific Pty Ltd., established in 1984 and based in Victoria, Australia, is a distributor of occupational health, safety, and environmental monitoring solutions. The company offers a diverse range of products, including portable gas detectors, fixed gas detection units, dust monitors, sound and noise monitors, and air sampling equipment. These solutions are integral to safety and environmental monitoring systems. The company holds ISO 9001 and NATA accreditations and has received recognition for Outstanding Partnership from Aeroqual Ltd. Air-Met Scientific also collaborates with industry bodies, offering professional advancement awards.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Shimadzu Scientific Instruments. |
17.4%
|
2 | PHYWE Systeme GmbH & Co. KG |
13.0%
|
3 | GL Sciences Inc |
13.0%
|
4 | MilliporeSigma |
13.0%
|
5 | Chrom Tech, Inc |
8.7%
|
6 | SKC Inc. |
8.7%
|
7 | SIBATA SCIENTIFIC TECHNOLOGY LTD |
8.7%
|
8 | G -Science |
8.7%
|
9 | Safety Emporium |
4.3%
|
10 | Air-Met Scientific Pty Ltd. |
4.3%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the soap film flowmeter page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 3 | 42.9% |
Japan | 2 | 28.6% |
Germany | 1 | 14.3% |
Australia | 1 | 14.3% |