Happy New Year from Thompson Equipment

With 2017 coming to a close, all of us at Thompson Equipment wanted to reach out and send our best wishes to our customers, our vendors, and our friends! We hope that 2018 holds success and good fortune for all of you.


TECO: A Stocking ABB Rotameter National Distributor

TECO's relationship with ABB rotameters dates back to 1947 as the first firm to represent and sell the Fischer & Porter Rotameters (as they were known back then). TECO is your best source for rotameters, with many models in stock, and decades of application assistance. ABB rotameters are simple, low cost, and maintenance free. TECO's specialty is helping customers choose the right instrument for their application. TECO offers standard flow ranges as well as custom flow ranges sized to our customer’s unique flow environment.

Download the latest ABB Rotameter brochure here, or view the embedded version below.

The ifm LR2750 Continuous Level Sensor for Sanitary Applications

LR2750 level sensor
The ifm  LR2750 level sensor provides precise, reliable medium detection in sanitary water-based applications, resistance of turbulence and suppression of foam.

Featuring innovative guided wave radar (GWR) for level measurement, the LR2750 uses a probe to guide high frequency, low-energy pulses of electromagnetic waves from a transmitter down the probe into the media being measured in the tank.


The LR2750 can be adapted to many sanitary process connections. It is ideal for smaller tanks or in areas with limited space. The LR2750 offers different probe lengths up to 2M, and the probe can also be cut to length.

Top product features:
  • COP (Clean Out of Place) design with IP69K rating for use in sanitary applications
  • Foam and turbulence suppression technology resists signal errors common with GWR
  • Constructed from FDA approved 316L stainless steel, PEEK, and Viton wetted parts.
  • Excellent performance in high temperature operating ranges of up to 302 °F (150 °C).
  • Digital LED display with easy push-button programming
  • IO-Link-enabled for network digital communication or configuration with a PC

For more information on this, or any ifm product, contact Thompson Equipment (TECO) by calling 800-528-8997 or visiting https://www.teco-inc.com.

The Coriolis Effect: Understanding How Coriolis Flowmeters Work

The Coriolis effect, a derivative of Newtonian motion mechanics, describes the force resulting from the acceleration of a mass moving to (or from) the center of rotation. As this video demonstrates, the flowing water in a loop of flexible hose that is “swung” back and forth in front of the body with both hands. Because the water is flowing toward and away from the hands, opposite forces are generated and cause the hose to twist. Coriolis flowmeters apply this principle to measure fluid flow. To learn more about the Coriolis effect and how Coriolis flowmeters work, read this earlier post (http://blog.teco-inc.com/2017/01/understanding-coriolis-flow-measurement.html).


Contact TECO for any process flow requirement, including flow meter remanufacturing, custom flow solutions, full service repair, and calibration. http://www.teco-inc.com | 800-528-8997.

Get Your Worn Out Process Instrumentation Remanufactured by TECO

As the world’s largest remanufacturer of instrumentation, TECO has the experience, trained technicians, and facilities to remanufacture your equipment to meet or exceed all OEM specifications and performance standards. Send us your overworked instrument and we'll send it back to you as good as new, and ready for action!
  • All Brands
  • NIST Traceable Certificate
  • Off-the-Shelf Meters Available
  • Obsolete Meters our Specialty
  • No Evaluation Charges
  • Magmeter Customization Services
  • All Magmeter accessories
  • New Warranty
  • Failure Analysis
  • Severe Application Meters
  • Converter/Transmitter Repairs
  • Remanufacturing is GREEN

Instrument Remanufacturing, Custom Flow Solutions, Full Service Repair, Calibration, and Valve Automation Center.  https://www.teco-inc.com | 800-528-8997

What Are Vortex Shedding Flowmeters?

Example of Vortex Flowmeter
Vortex Shedding
Flowmeter (ABB)
Vortex shedding flowmeters are a type of flowmeter available to the process industry for the consistent evaluation of flow rates. These flowmeters measure the volumetric flow rate of media such as steam flowing in pipes, gases, and low viscosity liquids, boasting both versatility and dependability. Since they have no moving parts, they are virtually impervious to wear.
Diagram fo Vortices
Animation of vortex creation
(Cesareo de La Rosa Siqueira via Wikipedia)

Principles of Operation
Photograph of vortices
Photograph of vortices (credit Jürgen Wagner via Wikipedia)
A "shedder" bar (also known as a bluff body) in the path of the flowing fluid produces flow disturbances called vortices. The resulting vortex trail is predictable and proportional to the fluid flow rate. This phenomena is know as the "Von Kármán vortex street" (see illustrations to the right). Sensitive electronic sensors downstream of the shedder bar measures the frequency of the vortices and produce a small electrical pulse with every vortex created. The electrical pulses also also proportional to fluid velocity and is the basis for calculating a volumetric flow rate, using the cross sectional area of the flow measuring device.

Typical Areas of Use
Vortex shedding flowmeters are used on steam, cryogenic liquids, hydrocarbons, air, feed water, and industrial gases. 

Applications to Avoid
Splitting higher viscosity fluids into concordant vertices is extremely difficult due to the internal friction present, so using vortex shedding flowmeters on high viscosity media should be avoided. Also, avoid applications with low flow rates and low Reynolds Numbers, as the vortices created are unstable. 

Consideration for Use
Consideration must be given to applications with low Reynolds numbers, as the generation of vortices declines at critical points of reduced velocity. Low pressure can also be a problem in this regard. Users must take Reynolds number, velocity, and density into consideration before choosing a vortex shedding flow meter. As always, it's best to discuss your application with an knowledgable support professional before specifying, purchasing, or installing this type of flowmeter.

For more information on any type of industrial flowmeter, visit https://www.teco-inc.com or call 800-528-8997.

World's First Magnetic Flowmeter Developed Specifically for Hydraulic Fracing

When suspended solids are mixed with a liquid (such as water), a mud-like substance referred to as a “slurry” is formed. Slurries are challenging because of their abrasive nature. Add a highly caustic or acidic condition to the slurry, and the magnetic flowmeters (Magmeters) used to measure flow become particularly susceptible to failure. In these situations off-the-shelf magnetic flowmeters won’t last, so consideration must be given to custom flowmeters built specifically to withstand the application’s unique requirements. Hydraulic fracturing (fracing) is one industry where the movement and handling of slurries is very common, and specially designed Magmeters should be used.

Thompson Equipment (TECO) is now offering their "Severe Application Meter (SAM)" (patent pending) which is specifically designed as the world's first Magmeter developed specifically for the hydraulic fracing industry. It is designed with an impact and wear resistant ceramic liner, solid tungsten carbide billet electrodes, and quick change Victaulic flanges. The SAM can also be retrofitted to the customers existing electronic secondary system, such as Rosemount, E+H, Yokagawa, etc.

For more information, contact TECO by calling (504) 833-6381 or by visiting https://www.teco-inc.com.