Application of Flow Meters in the Production of Pyrrolidone Series Products

The pyrrolidone series refers to a class of compounds that contain the pyrrolidone structure, which is widely used in the fields of chemistry, medicine, and pesticides. In the field of medicine, pyrrolidone series products are extensively researched due to their diverse biological and medicinal significance. For instance, pyrrolidone is a constituent of numerous pharmaceuticals, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antituberculosis drugs. In the field of pesticides, pesticides containing pyrrolidone and its analogs have been officially marketed, including fenpiclonil and fludioxonil as fungicides, chlorfenapyr as an insecticide, and fluorochloridone as a herbicide.

Application Case

A leading new material technology company has expanded its production facilities for the pyrrolidone series, which includes the construction of acetylene drying units, catalyst preparation units, α-pyrrolidone units, and N-vinylpyrrolidone units. The project's utilities, such as water supply, electricity, heating, and cooling water circulation, are all supported by the existing public works within the plant area.

Customer Requirements

The flow meters for this project are required to measure various substances across different units, including α-pyrrolidone units, drying workshops, N-vinylpyrrolidone units, power workshops, external lines, low-pressure steam, medium-pressure steam, high-pressure steam, heat transfer oil, ammonia water, hot water, circulating water, chilled water, sodium hypochlorite, and fire-fighting water. The pipe diameters range from DN20 to DN100, with demands for accurate flow measurement and stable product performance. Prior to dispatch, the flow meters must be certified by a high-precision real-flow calibration device to ensure accuracy. Additionally, maintenance-free operation is a requirement.

Solution

After on-site surveys and communication with Sure Instrument's engineering team, the integrated temperature and pressure compensation vortex flow meters were selected for measuring steam and nitrogen on-site, as well as heat transfer oil. Vortex flow meters without temperature and pressure compensation were used for measuring cold water, circulating water, and NVP solution of azodiisobutyronitrile in the drying workshop. To ensure application safety, all vortex flow meters are equipped with explosion-proof features and are rated IP65, with 304 body and 316 probes, meeting the customer's maintenance-free needs.

For the measurement of sodium hypochlorite, water, acetylene in the acetylene workshop, and conductive liquids such as ammonia water, hot water, and circulating water in the α-pyrrolidone units, electromagnetic flow meters with explosion-proof features were employed. Considering the acidity or alkalinity of the media, they are equipped with polytetrafluoroethylene lining and rubber lining, as well as tantalum electrodes and 316L electrodes.

Customer Feedback

Sure Instrument's flow meters have proven to be highly stable. Since installation, customers have reported that the meters maintain accurate measurements under high-temperature, high-pressure conditions, or when the media undergo significant changes. This has significantly reduced maintenance workload and improved overall production efficiency. In production areas involving flammable and explosive substances, the explosion-proof design ensures production safety. Meanwhile, the IP65 protection rating ensures the normal operation of the meters in harsh environments, effectively resisting the intrusion of water, dust, and other external factors, further safeguarding production safety.

Product Recommendation

Electromagnetic Flow Meter

• Capable of measuring conductive liquids, especially suitable for media such as sewage, chemical solutions, and tap water.

• Accuracy: Class 0.5 and Class 0.2.

• Low flow velocity measurement, capable of measuring flow velocities as low as 0.1 m/s.

• Meter body sizes range from DN4 to DN2000.

• Equipped with explosion-proof capabilities, with protection ratings of IP65 and IP68.

• Features multiple communication options, including RS485, HART, 4G, and NB-IoT.

Vortex Flow Meter

● Suitable for measuring medium to high velocity gases such as steam, compressed air, and coal gas;

● Accuracy class 1.0, with customizable higher accuracy options;

● Gas flow rate range (using air as an example): 5 m/s to 50 m/s;

● Liquid flow rate range (using water as an example): 0.5 m/s to 7 m/s;

● Meter body sizes cover DN15 to DN300;

● Capable of long-term application in high-temperature medium measurements up to 350°C and 250°C;

● Features intrinsic safety and explosion-proof functions, with a protection rating of IP65.