Tech Support: High Aeration

The flowmeter has detected a high level of aeration. Under these conditions an accurate measurement is not possible. If there is high aeration in the pipe, this will impede ulrasound transfer and prevent any measurement.

If you experience the high aeration warning when operating the Orcas Flowmeter, one option is to simply select the 'OK' button to allow the flowmeter to try again. The flowmeter has the ability to self adapt to changing conditions, and may adapt itself to these conditions. However if you continue to receive the warning message then please continue reading this page for help troubleshooting your installation.

For immediate assistance, use the pop-up message window at the bottom of this screen to contact SoundWater.

Aeration, and or air pockets will impede ultrasound transfer, preventing any flow measurement. If the aeration is too high, or air pockets too large, flow measurement may not be possible. However, there are a few things you can do to make the situation better and may allow for flow measurements:

Air pockets and gas (diffuse micro bubbles) will collect on the top of the pipe and will block ultrasound transmission into the fluid. To avoid them, be sure to install the flowmeter on the side of the pipe where air and gas will not collect.
Alternatively, install the flowmeter on a vertical pipe where the fluid is flowing UP (bottom to top). DO NOT install the flowmter on vertical pipe when the fluid is flowing DOWN (top to bottom) - this is a common source of air pockets and should be avoided.
Do not install the flowmeter on partially full pipe. Ultrasound will not transfer through air.
Aeration may be caused by suction of air into the pipe, or cavitation from a pump or valve. Reduce this where possible.
Cavitation (another form of aeration) will prevent ultrasound transfer. Cavitation may occur when the flow is moving at high speed around tight corners, through valves, or through a pump. You can often hear the noticeable sound of cavitation - which sounds like gravel or rocks are flowing through the pipe. In this case, reducing the velocity of the fluid, or applying back pressure to the system may help reduce cavitaion. Another option is to find a longer straight section of pipe away from any valve, pump or elbow - and away from any area where you can hear cavitation.
A varying ultrasound signal strength is a strong indication of an aerated fluid. The ultrassound signal strength indicator is located at the top right of the measurement view. If the icon has varying levels of signal strength, then there is most likelu a high aeration content in the fluid. Flow measureemt in highly aerated fluids is not possible. Aeration may be caused by suction of air into the pipe, or cavitation from a pump or valve.

This device complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules and Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Contains FCC ID: XDULE40-S2. CAN ICES-3(B)/NMB-3(B)