FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SPECIALTY GASES

Can I regulate the gas flow rate using a gas pressure regulator?

Gas pressure regulators are used to regulate the gas pressure (pounds per square inch) and are not appropriate for measuring flow rate (liters per minute). Flowmeters, Rotometers or Mass Flow Controllers should be used to regulate gas flow rates.

Flowmeters measure liquid and gas flow rates for general plant and laboratory applications. Rotometers are special flowmeters named for the rotating float that functions as the indicating element. Mass flow controllers precisely measure, monitor and control gases on the basis of mass flow, eliminating the need for continuous monitoring and readjustment of gas pressures to provide a stable gas flow.

Scott offers the following flow measurement equipment for regulating gas flow rates:

• High Capacity Variable Area Flowmeter – Model 28 Series flowmeters offer a means of measuring gas at capacities higher than our other variable area flowmeters. Suitable for both plant and lab use.
• 65MM Flowmeter – Suitable for general plant and laboratory applications.
• 150MM Flowmeter – Suitable for general plant, laboratory and research applications.
• Low Flow Purge Meters – Suitable for purging applications requiring visual inspection that gas is flowing to where needed.
• Mass Flowmeters – Suitable for research, laboratory and process gas flow requiring high accuracy and digital gas flow rate display.
• Mass Flow Controllers – Automatic control and digital flow rate display of gas flow for research, laboratory and process gases.
• Compact Flowmeter/Monitor – Economical digital display of gas flow rate for general plant and laboratory applications.

For detailed equipment specifications, please refer to our Summary of Flow Measurement Equipment.