SONARtrac® Flow Monitoring Systems

SONARtrac® Measurement Technology– How It Works

CiDRA’s patented sonar technology utilizes array processing
techniques to measure volumetric flow and entrained air.

The SONARtrac system measures volumetric flow rate by

combining phase and frequency components of the turbulent
eddies as they convect past the array of sensors.

In order to determine the amount of entrained air present, the

SONARtrac system measures the speed at which acoustic
waves pass through the sensor array. The measured sound
speed is then correlated to the phase fraction of the two
component mixture.

SONARtrac® VF-100
Volumetric Flow Monitoring System
The SONARtrac VF-100 is the original passive sonar flow meter and serves as the
technology platform for the SONARtrac product line. This passive listening approach
enables our sonar flow meter to measure single phase and multiphase flows as well as
slurries, with the same level of accuracy and performance. By installing on existing
process lines, SONARtrac clamp-on monitoring systems eliminate the process disruptions
associated with installing other types of flow meters. The VF-100 is the only flow meter of
its kind to provide accurate and repeatable volumetric flow measurements for applications
such as clear or dirty liquids and slurries, as well as corrosive and erosive liquids and
gases.

SONARtrac® VF/GVF-100

Volumetric Flow and Entrained Air Monitoring System

The SONARtrac VF/GVF-100 is CiDRA’s combination flow meter that has the capability to
calculate both volumetric flow and gas volume fraction to provide the customer with a true
flow measurement. The VF/GVF-100 utilizes the same passive sonar technology as the
SONARtrac VF-100 with the added ability to calculate the entrained air/gas measurement
in any slurry or liquid. As a result, these dual measurements enable the customer to
monitor and assess the effects of process changes on efficiency and quality.

CiDRA
50 Barnes Park North
Wallingford, CT 06492
Tel. +1.203.265.0035
www.cidra.com
SONARtrac® Volumetric Flow and Entrained Gas Monitoring System Specifications — VF/GVF-100
Parameter Specifications Comments
Liquid-Only flow conditions may permit flow measure-
Flow velocity range Liquid: 3 to 30 ft/s (.91 to 9.1m/s) ments below 3 ft/sec (a)

Flow rate accuracy ±1% of reading

Repeatability ±0.3% of reading
Entrained air/gas range 0 to 20 % By volume

Entrained air/gas accuracy ±5% of reading, 0.01% to 20% Assumes on-line process pressure available

Entrained air/gas repeatability ±1% of reading, 0.01% to 20%

Pipe diameters 2” to 60” Metric and custom sizes available(b)

2”-36” Sensor Length–34.7” (91.4cm)
Clamp-mounted onto the Over 36” Sensor– 51.2” (130.0cm)
existing pipe section; designed for Height within flange diameter of pipe
single installation Lightweight (22 lbs./10 kg for 8” meter)
Sensor head Certified to IP55 Stainless Steel designed to IP55
Programmable by keypad
Transmitter with integrated or PC interface
flow processor Self-diagnostics capability
Operating Temperature Range:

Transmitter -4°F to +140°F ( -20°C to +60°C)(c)

Sensor head process temp. -40°F to +212°F ( -40°C to +100°C) Inquire with CiDRA for temperatures outside these
Sensor head ambient temp. -40°F to +140°F (-40°C to +60°C) specific ranges
Storage Temperature Range:
Transmitter -22°F to +176°F ( -30°C to +80°C)
Sensor head -40°F to +185°F ( -40°C to +85°C)
Cable between transmitter PLTC or armored cable with one
and sensor head End connectorized Cable lengths up to 300ft (90m)
Enables internal logging of optional
Analog input Two (2) 4-20 mA process parameters

Analog output Two (2) isolated 4-20 mA current outputs One (1) with HART® protocol(d)
Pulse output
Digital outputs Alarm output
10Base-T Ethernet
USB/Memory Stick
Digital interfaces RS232 serial
Standard: RS232/485
Optional: MODBUS® RTU/ASCII
Optional: PROFIBUS® PA
Communication interfaces Optional: FOUNDATION FieldbusTM
Provides flow rate, entrained air/gas,
Transmitter local display LCD with backlight(e) system status, system diagnostics
Data logging capability Yes
Transmitter enclosure NEMA 4X, IP66
AC Version: 100 to 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz,
25 Watts
Power requirements DC Version: 18 to 36 VDC, 25 Watts
Standard: Ordinary Location
Optional: Class I Division 2,Groups A-D
Area classification Optional: Class I Zone 2, Group IIB ATEX

Altitude Certified for high altitude regions

(a)
Inquire with CiDRA for qualifying your application under 3 ft/sec
(d)
(b)
Inquire with CiDRA for availability and specifications on sizes greater than 36”. Certain restrictions apply for Zone 2 applications.
(e)
(c)
For Zone 2: -4°F to +134°F ( -20°C to +57°C). For Zone 2: No transmitter window for display.

Contact CiDRA
To speak with an applications engineer about CiDRA’s SONARtrac
systems or other CiDRA industrial process measurement solutions, call
+1.203.265.0035 or visit our web site at www.cidra.com.

All information contained herein is believed to be accurate and is subject to change CiDRA
without notice. No responsibility is assumed for its use. Specifications are
preliminary and CiDRA reserves the right to make changes, without notice to
50 Barnes Park North
product designs, specifications, functions, components and manufacturing methods.
Wallingford, CT 06492
Tel. +1.203.265.0035
www.cidra.com
2017, CiDRA, All rights reserved. BI0563-Special Rev. C