Official Blog of Sierra--Let's Talk Flow!
The Challenges of Measuring Flare Gas

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
The associated gas generated from oil production has received a lot of attention recently. In many areas, the lack of gas collection infrastructure requires this gas to be flared off. Many jurisdictions now require flare gas monitoring in order to reduce emissions and to allocate taxes, fines, and other fees. Choosing the best tools for […]
Read the StoryStay On Top of Methane Metering and Emissions Regulations

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
As climate concerns continue to dominate the national (and global) conversation, tightening state and federal regulations on methane emissions can pose challenges to new and existing oil and gas producers. While many may be familiar with New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), which regulate emissions at new wells, it’s important to know the EPA is moving […]
Read the StoryFive Ways QuadraTherm Flow Meter Technology Makes You And Your Process Smarter

Written By:
Maryadine Washington, Mar-Com Manager
For engineers and facility managers looking at their production operations to improve process efficiency, reduce costs, and find ways to meet sustainability and environmental governance regulations, selecting the right thermal mass flow meter with accurate flow measurement is critical. Utilizing a flow meter that lacks the capabilities to accurately measure your gas flow in your […]
Read the StoryHow Do MEMS Mass Flow Controllers Work?

Written By:
Erica Giannini, Marketing Manager
Not All MFC Sensor Technology is Created Equal Mass flow controllers offer precision gas flow control to many critical industries including biopharm, semicon, food & beverage, manufacturing, and R&D. As the technology demands increase in these sectors, so does the demand for precision gas flow control systems. The more accurate and repeatable the gas flow […]
Read the StoryDrySense Sensor Technology Is the Key to Thermal Flow Meter Accuracy

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
Why Are Dry Sensors Critical for Flowmeter Lifetime Sensor Warranty, Accuracy, and In-Situ Validation? When it comes to flow meters, what matters to plant managers and engineers alike is if their meter is measuring flow accurately and reliably. They want to know they can depend on the data their meter is providing. However, the answer […]
Read the StoryIntroducing RedyCompact Mass Flow Meters and Regulators- New Video

Written By:
Erica Giannini, Marketing Manager
Mechanical rotometers have been a staple for flow measurement since the early 1900s, giving engineers and scientists fast and economical gas flow measurement. Sierra introduces the next generation advancements in this technology with the RedyCompact™ mass flow meters and regulators, Watch Sierra’s NEW video to learn how this unique battery-powered digital mass flow meter, regulator […]
Read the StoryNew From Sierra, MEMS-based Thermal MFC’s Set the Long-Term Stability Bar – High!

Written By:
Matthew Olin, President
We have been in the capillary thermal mass flow business for nearly 45 years, many have asked us why we recently introduced MEMS thermal mass flow controllers into our product offering. Combining superior physics, high reliability, and unparalleled flexibility, our new Sierra MEMS-based RedySmart brand mass flow controllers complement our Sierra Capillary-based SmartTrak brand […]
Read the StoryUnderstanding the Mass Flow Meter and Mass Flow Controller Flow Body – Why it Matters.

Written By:
Matthew Olin, President
When it comes to mass flow meters and controllers size matters. Not all flow meters are the same. It’s like choosing a car. All cars are designed to move you from point A to B. However, if you live high up in the mountains you might want a truck or a tougher built car to […]
Read the StoryThermal Mass Flow Meters Increase Boiler Efficiency in Co-generation Applications

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
Did you know most chemical plants use electricity derived from an on-site natural gas power plant or co-generation plant burning waste gas streams? In large boilers, power plants bring together air and fuel (natural gas, waste gas, oil or coal) for combustion, which creates heat. The heat boils the water, creating steam. The steam runs […]
Read the StoryCore Technology Series: Major Components of Mass Flow Meters and Controllers

Written By:
Matthew Olin, President
Have you ever wanted to look inside a mass flow meter or gas controller to understand the mechanical components? This blog, as part of our ongoing core technology series based on excerpts from Sierra’s Founder and Chairman, Dr. John G. Olin’s, white paper entitled, “Capillary Tube Thermal Mass Flow Meters & Controllers – A User’s […]
Read the StoryCore Technology Series: Capillary Tube Thermal Mass Flow Meters and Controllers

Written By:
Matthew Olin, President
Understanding Capillary Tube Thermal Mass Flow Meters & Controllers: Flow meters and controllers are used every day in general purpose industrial and laboratory applications and in the semiconductor industry. Have you ever wondered how capillary tube flow meters work? or How to specify the perfect flow meter for your application? I am excited to present this ongoing core technology […]
Read the StorySteam Flow Energy Measurement

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
From facilities management to district heating applications, accurate steam flow energy measurement is a critical flow measurement needed to incur substantial savings on energy and maintenance costs. However, steam flow energy measurement is also the most difficult flow measurement to make due to the unknown factors of what type of steam is being produced, various […]
Read the StoryBringing Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings to Veteran’s Facilities

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
As the infrastructure of our Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities age and government-driven energy efficiency mandates rise, VA facilities’ engineers are faced with a decision to upgrade existing equipment or replace older equipment in order to improve energy efficiency. Dealing with the upgrade or replace decision is a big one. Replacing older equipment is costly, but in the […]
Read the StoryTune Your Boiler: Watch Video for 3 Tips to Improve Energy Efficiency

Written By:
Erica Giannini, Marketing Manager
Improving energy efficiency in facilities, campuses and hospitals is top of mind for most facilities managers and engineers. Government regulations like Boiler MACT and other energy efficiency mandates for government buildings like VA hospitals have put the pressure on facilities engineers to take a hard look at their equipment to optimize for energy efficiency. Optimizing energy efficiency comes in the form of both […]
Read the StoryThe Perfect Biogas Flow Measurement Solution | Sierra Instruments

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
Solving the Biogas Flow Measurement Conundrum In recent years, concern about climate change has increased interest in alternative energy sources, specifically in biogas energy. Biogas energy can be extracted from landfills. Digester gas produced at wastewater treatment plants is another common form of biogas. So why is it so popular? In a word, economy. This […]
Read the StoryHow a Vortex Flow Meter Works

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
Vortex flow meters are increasingly becoming the flow technology of choice for gas, liquid, and steam flow measurement. Vortex flow meters are ideal for measuring saturated and supersaturated steam in large facilities to improve steam production efficiency and allocation. Volumetric water flow and high flow gas measurements are also strong applications for vortex flow meters. […]
Read the StoryACHEMA 2018: An Eye On the Future

Written By:
Maurtis, Managing Director, Sierra Europe
The spirit of ACHEMA 2018 can be summed up in three words: reimagine, capitalize, and prepare for the future. ACHEMA was all about seizing the potential opportunities that Industry 4.0 or IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) can bring to the chemical and process industries. Industry 4.0 is the current trend of automation and data exchange in […]
Read the StoryTurning Science Fiction into Reality

Written By:
Erica Giannini, Marketing Manager
Precision measurement of low flow in gas mixing applications Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on November 28, 2011. Due to its popularity and continued questions on this issue, we updated the post on March 9, 2018. Choosing the right flow controller for laboratory or biomedical research applications is essential to achieving success in […]
Read the StoryStriving For Perfection: Flow Energy Partnership Improves Geothermal Energy Production

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
Since the early twentieth century, geothermal energy has been used to produce electricity. In the 1980’s and 90’s, rapid expansion in the demand for geothermal energy put pressure on suppliers to reduce costs and increase efficiencies. Now geothermal energy production is becoming a common practice around the globe. One of the largest energy companies in […]
Read the StoryHow an Ultrasonic Flow Meter Works

Written By:
John, Chief Engineer
An ultrasonic flow meter utilizes ultrasound to measure the velocity of a fluid and is used in a variety of fluid applications. Ultrasonic flowmeters are ideal for water and other liquids. Clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters achieve high accuracy at low and high flows, save time with no pipe cutting or process shutdown, and are not affected […]
Read the StoryHow Does a Water Flow Meter Work?

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
A water flow meter is a device that measures the amount of water flowing through a pipe. There are several water flow meter technologies to choose from depending on the water measurement application, maintenance requirements, and budgetary terms. Each of these types of water flow meters has a unique principle of operation, specific application benefits, and overall cost-of-ownership. The question […]
Read the StoryHow Does a Flow Meter Work?

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
A flow meter works by measuring the amount of a gas, liquid or steam that passes through or around the flow meter sensors. While flow meter sensors work in many different ways, the end goal is the same: Deliver the most accurate and repeatable flow measurements for the specific application, whether for general research, process […]
Read the StoryPreventable Mistakes with Vortex Flow Meters

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
Vortex flow meter technology is an ideal technology for many applications particularly saturated and supersaturated steam, volumetric water applications as well as flow energy management (natural gas, compressed air, steam, water) in facilities and large campuses. In some of these applications, vortex installations can be tricky and take flow expertise for the most successful installations. Kam Bansal, […]
Read the StoryHow Does a Thermal Flow Meter Work?

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
An insertion-type (immersible) thermal flow meter works by measuring the total mass flow rate of air/gas flowing through a pipe or duct. In a thermal flow meter’s simplest working configuration, gas flows past a heated velocity sensor and a temperature sensor. Instrument electronics work to maintain a constant temperature differential of 50 degrees Celsius between the actual gas temperature and the […]
Read the StoryNow Measure All Flow Energy In Your Facility — One Solution — Three Metering Technologies

Written By:
Matthew Olin, President
Facilities managers at large facilities often have the challenging task of managing all the flow energy in their facility with the mandate from upper management to save money on energy costs. To accomplish this goal, it’s critical to get accurate flow measurement data of the flow energy in your facility such as: natural gas, compressed air, steam, chilled […]
Read the StoryMaking Ultrasonic Liquid Flow Meter Installation Easier

Written By:
Erica Giannini, Marketing Manager
Ultrasonic transit-time flow meter technology is becoming one of the most adopted technologies for accurate liquid and energy/BTU measurement. Although a major benefit of the technology is that it is non-invasive and can be clamped to the outside of the pipe, an inherent challenge with ultrasonic clamp on liquid flow meters is finding the best […]
Read the StoryHow to Supercharge the SmartTrak Mass Flow Controller with Compod

Written By:
Maryadine Washington, Mar-Com Manager
Streamline, simplify and save time and money by plugging the innovative Compod upgrade into the face of any SmartTrak 100 mass flow meter or controller. SmartTrak is not only a true multi-gas digital mass flow controller, it can control your process too. If you need more functionality to control a positive shutoff valve, have a pulse output, or […]
Read the StoryIntroducing Our New InnovaSonic 207i Ultrasonic Liquid Flow Meter

Written By:
Matthew Olin, President
For Liquid Flow Metering, Optimized for Thermal Energy/ BTU Sierra is proud to announce the new InnovaSonic 207i ultrasonic liquid flow meter with thermal energy/BTU capability. Designed, built and calibrated by Sierra in Monterey, California for non-intrusive liquid flow metering, and optimized for thermal energy/BTU measurement, the 207i transit-time ultrasonic flow meter is the ideal turnkey solution for […]
Read the StoryOvercoming Natural Gas Sampling Challenges in Oil & Gas Applications

Written By:
Erica Giannini, Marketing Manager
It is a fact that in order to comply with various government rules and regulations, oil and gas companies have to continually take natural gas samples to prove the gas composition and amount of gas flowing in their oil fields. The challenge comes in trying to actually take an adequate gas sample representative of the […]
Read the StorySierra’s Biggest Stories from 2016

Written By:
Erica Giannini, Marketing Manager
2017 is here and this year will bring many new exciting developments at Sierra, but before launching completely into the new year, let’s take a look back at our top stories of 2016. New at Sierra in 2016 We’re always looking for new ways to communicate and interact with our customers and industry. Find out about three […]
Read the StoryFlare Gas Measurement Innovation: Retain Flow Metering Accuracy Even if Gas Composition Changes

Written By:
Matthew Olin, President
It’s a fact oil wells almost always produce natural gas along with the petroleum. Nine times out of ten, the excess gas (typically hydrocarbons) is flared off or simply vented as-is during upset conditions in the process. The environmental impacts of “flaring” this excess gas into our atmosphere has resulted in government regulations like 40 CFR […]
Read the StoryThe ‘Swiss Army Knife’ of Mass Flow Controllers

Written By:
Erica Giannini, Marketing Manager
Did you ever wish your mass flow controller could do it all? You’re not alone. End users ranging from machine builders to laboratory researchers are often faced with the challenge of needing flow measurement and control equipment for a wide variety of applications. Many customers call the SmartTrak 100 mass flow controller the “Swiss Army knife” of MFC’s. […]
Read the StoryGas Mass Flow Control: Why Thermal Mass Flow Technology is Recommended for Best Accuracy

Written By:
John, Chief Engineer
It’s no secret. Price, but perhaps more importantly, performance, drive every new product acquisition you make. How important is measurement accuracy and control to your lab experiment or industrial process? It’s critical. If your flow readings are off or the flow is not controlled with precise accuracy your research is compromised, product quality suffers, and […]
Read the StoryMinute Flow Tip! Don’t Settle for “Good Enough”

Written By:
John, Chief Engineer
There are so many options for selecting the best mass flow controller out there that is “good enough.” Why compromise when making an investment in a mass flow instrument? Discover the Swiss Army Knife of mass flow controllers in this Minute Flow Tip. The capillary thermal technology used in every SmartTrak mass flow controller measures […]
Read the StoryNew Video: Master Your Mass Flow Control Challenges

Written By:
Matthew Olin, President
For over 40 years, Sierra has pioneered the development of precision gas mass flow controllers. Today, our high-performance SmartTrak lineup, with over 100,000 successful installations, proves we’ve never let up. For Lab Researchers and Systems Integrators/OEMs, SmartTrak is often called the Swiss Army Knife of gas mass flow controllers. Find out why in our new video. The SmartTrak Advantage: A […]
Read the StoryProviding Precision Flow Control Solutions for Critical Biomolecular Research

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
When scientists at the University of Nottingham’s Centre for Biomolecular Sciences (CBS) in the United Kingdom needed instrumentation to control the flow of gases in their research, they turned to Litre Meter, a UK distributor for Sierra Instruments, and the SmartTrak 100 series mass flow meters and controllers. The working relationship between Litre Meter and the […]
Read the StoryFor Vortex Flow Meters, Accuracy Matters in Steam Energy Flow Measurement

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
The heat is on. Most facilities managers are in the hot seat to account for all of the flow energy, going in and out of their facility which is no easy task. This mandate is no different for steam flowmeter measurement. Vortex flow meters continue to be the industry standard selection for accurate steam flow […]
Read the StoryHow to Reduce Methane Emissions with Thermal Mass Flow Meters

Written By:
Glen, Account & Market Manager
The flare gas discussion is heating up again. According to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. oil production is at an all-time high, and so are the harmful methane emissions from leaks, flaring and venting. U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell has proposed to update 30-year-old regulations in order to reduce the excess release of natural […]
Read the StoryIt Has Apps! Our New Vortex Flow Meter Empowers You

Written By:
Matthew Olin, President
Sierra’s next generation InnovaMass “iSeries” features a new hyper-fast microprocessor, robust software apps, and an automated state-of-the-art manufacturing and flow calibration facility to assure the highest level of quality and delivery. It Has Apps! The InnovaMass iSeries features flow management apps driven by our new Raptor II OS that will empower your process and save you time and money. ValidCal […]
Read the StoryThe New Vortex iSeries has Arrived!

Written By:
Matthew Olin, President
InnovaMass. Reinvented. I am proud to announce on behalf of our entire development team, our completely re-designed, next generation InnovaMass 240i and 241i vortex volumetric flow and multivariable mass flow meter product line. Learn more… The all new iSeries InnovaMass 240i inline and 241i insertion vortex flow meters are manufactured at our brand new assembly and calibration facility in […]
Read the StoryEverything You Need to Know About Sub-Metering Natural Gas

Written By:
Erica Giannini, Marketing Manager
We’ve written quite a bit about the benefits of using thermal flow meters to sub-meter natural gas in large facilities. So much so, that we’ve decided to create one post that can be your go-to resource for finding information on the topic. Here you’ll find links to easily digestible content like infographics and SlideShare presentations, […]
Read the StoryField-Adjust For Gas Composition Changes, Retain Accuracy, Save Time and Money

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
When gas composition changes, typical thermal meters must be sent back to the factory to be re-calibrated in order to maintain required accuracy levels. All of this is a costly, time-consuming endeavor. Imagine the time and money you can save by not having to send your meter back to the factory for calibration every time […]
Read the StorySierra’s Precision Control Valves Offer Customers Proven Solution

Written By:
Matthew Olin, President
What took us so long! Since the ’80s Sierra has been a leader in designing and manufacturing electromagnetic control valves used in our flagship SmartTrak mass flow controllers and legacy 800 series. The catch is that in the past customers had to buy the mass flow controller to capitalize on our precision control valve. Now, after 30+ years […]
Read the StoryIf gas composition changes, field-adjust to maintain flow meter accuracy?

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
Changes in gas composition cut into productivity in the field, exactly when you need accuracy in flow meter measurement the most. But what if you could retain that precision, even when those changes occur? Now you can do just that with qMix Software. If your gas composition changes over time, you can now quickly field-adjust the QuadraTherm […]
Read the StoryEngineering Spotlight: Meet Director of Engineering Kam Bansal

Written By:
Erica Giannini, Marketing Manager
Step inside our Engineering Department through our Engineering spotlight series. In our last post, I introduced you to Manufacturing Engineer Max Waterstone, the first of our talented team of engineers to be featured in our Engineering Spotlight. Sierra’s innovative approach to solving flow measurement problems can be traced back to founder Dr. John G. Olin, who […]
Read the StoryMethods & Pitfalls of In-Situ Calibration Validation of Thermal Flowmeters

Written By:
Matthew Olin, President
Driven by the need to meet quality standards like ISO 9001, reliability engineers for mid-to-large-sized facilities and campuses know the time consuming reality of assuring their flow meters are properly maintained and “in cal”. A unique and highly marketed benefit of Thermal Mass Flow Meter technology is “in-situ” or “in place” flow meter calibration. This certainly sounds like […]
Read the StoryUltra-High Pressure 5000 psig (345 barg) Gas Mass Flow Control…No Easy Task!

Written By:
Max Waterstone, Engineer
Overall, Sierra wants better accuracy and control of high pressure gas mass flows across industry in general, leading to better efficiency, and vastly reducing gas losses to save time and money for our customers. But, how is it possible to accurately measure and control gas mass flow rates at pressures up to 5000 psig (345 barg)? This is […]
Read the StoryThe Truth About In-Situ Calibration Validation of Thermal Flowmeters

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
In-situ calibration validation is one of the great benefits of thermal mass flow technology. This video reviews in-situ calibration validation and details how thermal sensor stability is the only way a calibration validation is actually valid! Get the truth about in-situ calibration so you can make informed decisions. Watch the video now! For a more detailed […]
Read the StoryThe Secret to Slashing Your Facility’s Natural Gas Bills

Written By:
Erica Giannini, Marketing Manager
Psst. We’ve got a secret. One that could save you money. How much, you ask? Thousands. That’s right. You could be saving thousands on your facility’s natural gas bill. Traditional diaphragm flow meters used for natural gas measurement can’t account for changes in gas composition, resulting in a utility bill that can be less than […]
Read the Story4 Keys to Great Portable Ultrasonic Flow Metering

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
The liquid measurement market is an extremely large market with many varied measurement requirements. To get the best bang for your buck, a portable ultrasonic flow meter is a practical solution. With a portable ultrasonic flow meter, you can use one liquid flow meter in several locations throughout your flow process. There are many portable […]
Read the StoryHow to Install Vortex Steam Flow Meters!

Written By:
Erica Giannini, Marketing Manager
A few weeks back Glen Coblentz, Vice President of North American sales, spent three days in New York City. Unfortunately, he was not able to enjoy the sites of NYC. Instead, he was working 45-feet underground in 120 F degree heat in New York City’s steam tunnels. For over five hours, Glen worked with Sierra Representative, North East Technical, commissioning […]
Read the StoryHow to Save Time & Money by Calibrating Flow Meters Onsite

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
If you have hundreds of mass flow controllers and meters or just a few in your lab, facility, or manufacturing process, how do you keep up with the demands of annual recalibration? Most flow meters and controllers need to be recalibrated yearly to meet stringent ISO quality standards. This requires technicians to remove the mass flow meters from the […]
Read the StoryBest Practices for Mass Flow Controller Selection & Installation

Written By:
John, Chief Engineer
As scientists, facilities managers and manufacturing engineers, specifying equipment is a part of our daily work life. What product do I need? What’s the best price for the value? How do I install the product once I get it? The more information about best practice principles, the easier the job is of specifying and buying […]
Read the StoryNEW Video Animation: How Do Thermal Mass Flowmeters Work?

Written By:
Erica Giannini, Marketing Manager
As if your were actor Dennis Quaid in the popular 1987 movie Innerspace, journey inside the pipe to learn the operational principle of thermal mass flow technology and see, from a molecules perspective, why thermal flow meters have become extremely popular due to high accuracy, no moving parts, negligible pressure drop, sensitive direct mass flow measurement with high […]
Read the StoryPart 3: Accurately Measuring Flare Gas — Managing Gas Mix Changes, Retaining Accuracy, Reducing Cost of Ownership

Written By:
Matthew Olin, President
In my last post, I compared the pros and cons of the various flow meters available for measurement of flare gas. Ultimately, all but one has limitations that will impede your ability to accurately measure excess burn off from the hydraulic fracturing process. In this week’s post, I’ll share a new generation thermal mass flow […]
Read the StoryPart 2: Accurately Measuring Flare Gas — Innovations Promise More Economical Choices

Written By:
Matthew Olin, President
In my last post on flare gas flow measurement, I shared how the rise in hydraulic fracturing has led to more stringent state and national mandates to regulate the measurement of waste and excess gases that are produced as a result of this process. If you’re affiliated with an oil or gas company, you know […]
Read the StoryPart 1: Accurately Measuring Flare Gas — Challenges, Solutions, and Opportunities

Written By:
Matthew Olin, President
If your company is involved with hydraulic fracturing to increase oil and gas production, you’re familiar with the fact that state and national regulations are becoming increasingly stringent. In particular, flare gas now requires the installation of mass flow measurement instruments to measure waste and excess gases burned off as a result of the hydraulic […]
Read the StoryChemical Engineering Magazine Article By Sierra’s Founder

Written By:
Maryadine Washington, Mar-Com Manager
Sierra’s Founder, Dr. John G. Olin, looks at the Principles of Operation, Installation, Calibration and Best Applications for Thermal Mass Flow Meters… Read the full article in Chemical Engineering Magazine.
Read the StoryTalking Biogas Production In Europe

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
Europe is quickly becoming a hotspot for the biogas industry, and Sierra and our local French distributor Alto Instruments took advantage of that fact by exhibiting at BiogazEurope in France. Attendees learned about the entire biomass process, from the bio side of things (mass) to the energy side (electricity). Some trending applications featured at the […]
Read the StoryAmmonia Gas Flow Measurement Challenges & Solutions

Written By:
Jim Oswald, Technical Support Manager
Measuring and controlling ammonia can be tricky. One mistake during the transition from gas to liquid and your instrumentation is ruined. In the video below, Glen Coblentz, Vice President of North American Sales, gives some tips for successful mass flow measurement and control of ammonia. It could mean the difference between success and a costly mistake! […]
Read the StorySmartTrak MFC Highlighed on NOVA TV Program

Written By:
Maryadine Washington, Mar-Com Manager
It’s alive! No, I’m not talking about Dr. Frankenstein’s monster. But you’d be surprised by what researchers have discovered in the area of therapeutic hypothermia, or using hydrogen sulfide to slow the body’s demand for oxygen. A recent episode of NOVA, “Making Stuff Colder,” highlights research being conducted by Mark Roth, a biochemist for the […]
Read the StoryIn Search of the Perfect Sensor: Thermal Flow Meter History & Trends

Written By:
Maryadine Washington, Mar-Com Manager
What do you do when you have an entrepreneurial bent and a revolutionary idea for flow meter advancement? You start your own company, of course. That’s exactly what our founder, John G. Olin, Ph.D., did in 1973 when he founded Sierra Instruments in Minnesota subsequently moving it west to California. It’s that entrepreneurial spirit, as well […]
Read the StoryInsertion Flow Meter Straight Run Requirements

Written By:
Jim Oswald, Technical Support Manager
You have specified the correct industrial Thermal insertion mass flow meter and received your brand new meter. Now what? Where do you install the meter for optimal performance? This is where technical expertise comes in, along with a mixture of science and tribal knowledge. In fact, Sierra has talked for years about a flowmeter being only as good as how it was […]
Read the StoryVoice of the Customer: Flow Meter Solution for Air Pollutant Measurement

Written By:
Erica Giannini, Marketing Manager
We’re always looking for solutions here at Sierra-ones that always give customers precise, accurate data. It’s what drove Dr. John G. Olin to found Sierra in 1973, with a goal of providing the marketplace with accurate flow meter measurement. It’s what drives our engineering team to continue to advance flow meter design. It’s also what […]
Read the StoryPart 2: Challenges with Submetering Natural Gas

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
I previously shared a post on how mid-to-large size facilities can save money by taking the initiative to submeter natural gas usage, titled Part 1: Challenges with Submetering Natural Gas. The traditional diaphragm meters used by utility companies rely on fixed compensation variables that can lead to inaccuracies and overcharging. While this can affect residential customers, it […]
Read the StoryPart 1: Challenges with Submetering Natural Gas

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
In an article for Gases & Instrumentation magazine, I explored energy management as it relates to the natural gas industry. Natural gas exists in abundance in this country, with production expected to increase 44 percent by 2040. With such unprecedented growth in production of this natural resource, utility companies must focus on providing the most accurate gas […]
Read the StoryPart 2: Emerging Trends of Thermal Flow Meters

Written By:
Jesse Yoder
Last week in the first part of my guest post, I shared some of the reasons why the Coriolis flow meter has cornered such a large part of the flowmeter measurement market. Accuracy is the main reason why this type of flowmeter has been so commonly used in industrial applications up to this point. But […]
Read the StoryPart 1: Emerging Trends of Thermal Flowmeters

Written By:
Jesse Yoder
In this guest post, I’ll be comparing the Coriolis and Thermal flowmeter markets, an interesting undertaking when you consider some of the facts. Both technologies were introduced about the same time, in the mid-1970s. But the worldwide Coriolis meter market has grown to exceed $1 billion, while the Thermal flowmeter market is valued at less […]
Read the StoryHow to Measure Air Flow Rate–Not As Easy As it Appears

Written By:
Morgan Zealear, Engineer
If we look at what is considered low flow measurement of air mass flow rate, those applications ranging from 0 to 10 sccm up to 0 to 1000 slpm ranges, there is a right way and a wrong way to measure. It’s an inherent problem many of our customers face before they find the right […]
Read the StoryTotalize Multiple Gases Independently: Watch Video!

Written By:
Brian Estep, Software Engineer
The need to measure, totalize, and monetize gas flow is not going away. In fact, the requirement to accurately totalize and monetize gas is becoming even more critical with our boom in natural gas and other industrial processes. Almost all mass flow meter companies have the ability to totalize one gas being measured. This is pretty standard […]
Read the StoryBreak from the Shackles-Mid-to-Large Size Facilities Verify Utility Company Billing

Written By:
Erica Giannini, Marketing Manager
As we have all been hearing in the news, natural gas is becoming a very valuable and abundant natural resource. Almost all of this increase is due to the projected growth in shale gas production which will grow to 16.7 trillion cubic feet in 2040. Now comes the big question: how are utility companies going […]
Read the StoryPart 3: Biogas Flow Meter Measurement-The Solution

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
In recent weeks, I’ve shared some exciting advancements in the biogas industry in regards to renewable energy management. From harnessing biogas energy from landfills to the digester gas produced at wastewater treatment plants, one thing is paramount: Adjusting for changing gas composition is critical to obtaining accurate flow meter measurement for optimal biogas energy collection. […]
Read the StoryBiogas Flow Meter Measurement: The Flooded Market

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
In my recently published article in Biomass Products & Technology , Precise Biogas Flow Measurement: Overcoming the Challenges of Changing Gas Composition, I highlight the nationwide search for alternative energy sources. In the article, I note that this search has led to increased interest in sources of biogas energy specifically. Many flow meter companies have jumped into […]
Read the StoryBiogas Energy Production: Why Accurate Flow Measurement Is Critical

Written By:
Erica Giannini, Marketing Manager
The buzz around biogas continues to grow and with good reason. Efforts to find renewable sources of energy are in full swing, and harnessing energy from landfill gas or digester gas into biogas is a promising solution to the problem of high oil prices. In the July 2013 issue of Biomass Products & Technology, Sierra’s […]
Read the StoryFor Improved Accuracy in Industrial Applications: Clean & Test Your Mass Air Flow Sensor

Written By:
Freynold Usi, Software Engineer
In today’s dirty heavy industrial applications, engineers and operators are often faced with an inherent challenge which affects mass flow accuracy: How do I know if the sensor of my mass flow meter is clean? and How do I clean the sensor without shutting down the system? Because accurate mass flow readings are often critical for running an efficient […]
Read the StoryArticle Highlights Advancements in Flow Meter Accuracy

Written By:
Maryadine Washington, Mar-Com Manager
Thanks Flow Control magazine for the great coverage and helping to spread the word to our customers about new technology to improve flow measurement accuracy, which always improves plant efficiency and saves customers money in the long run. John G. Olin, PhD, founder of Sierra Instruments and inventor of a number of flow industry firsts, […]
Read the StoryPart 3: Cold Weather and Mass Air Flow Meter Gas Temperature (Gas Properties)

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
In Parts One and Two of this series, we looked at the effects of ambient temperature on mass air flow meters such as Sierra’s FastFlo™ 620S and our new QuadraTherm™ Model 640i. As discussed, cold weather has few physical effects on an air flow meter, but can degrade accuracy due to stem conduction, unless accounted for, […]
Read the StoryPart 2: Cold Weather and Mass Air Flow Meter Accuracy (Stem Conduction)

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
In Part One, we looked at the effects of cold weather on mass air flow meters like Sierra’s Steel-Mass® Model 640S and our new QuadraTherm™ Model 640i. As discussed, cold weather typically doesn’t cause any physical damage to the flow meter, but it can affect the meter accuracy. Let’s look at how. Flowmeters That Are […]
Read the StoryCold Weather and Your Mass Flow Sensor

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
Baby It’s Cold Outside Sierra is a global company, so we sell our mass air flow sensors into some pretty extreme cold weather environments. Indeed, we are seeing more and more applications in the far North, where immersible thermal flow meters like Sierra’s Steel-Mass® Model 640S and our new QuadraTherm™ Model 640i are used in […]
Read the StoryQuadraTherm Flowmeter Puts New Spin on Fiberglass [Case Study]

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
What a waste! That’s what I thought when I learned how much material is rejected and how much gas is consumed during the fiberglass insulation manufacturing process. The biggest losses occur during the melting, spinning and subsequent cooling of silica, a key ingredient in fiberglass. For those who work in this industry, it’s a never-ending […]
Read the StoryNew QuadraTherm Flow Meter: iTherm Expanding Gas Library

Written By:
Matthew Olin, President
The iTherm gas library stores proprietary gas packets, which are analogous to the DNA of a specific gas. It stores all the parameters needed to instantly calculate the thermodynamic and transport properties of every gas or gas mixture versus temperature and pressure. Currently, the library has mapped 18 gases and mixtures, and it continues to grow […]
Read the StoryNew QuadaTherm Flow Sensor: with iTherm, It Learns!

Written By:
Matthew Olin, President
With iTherm, It Learns… QuadraTherm’s four-sensor technology provides the critical inputs for iTherm’s living, learning algorithm set and gas library to accurately manage changes in gas and pipe selection, gas temperature, gas pressure, and outside temperature. Our revolutionary thermal mass flow meter with iTherm solves the First Law of Thermodynamics (for Thermal Dispersion Technology) in a fraction […]
Read the StoryNew QuadraTherm Thermal Flow Sensor Makes It Possible!

Written By:
Matthew Olin, President
Patented QuadraTherm’s Four-Sensor Design A major thermal sensor breakthrough for Sierra occurred with QuadraTherm, as two new temperature sensors (T2 and T4—see figure below) were added to the existing two-sensor design (T3 temperature & T1 DrySense velocity) used in previous flowmeter models. The two additional sensors perform real-time correction for the heat lost to the outside environment due […]
Read the StoryNew QuadraTherm 640i / 780i: Accuracy Never Before Possible!

Written By:
Matthew Olin, President
Innovative QuadraTherm Four-Sensor Design Traditional thermal sensors have two sensors—one temperature sensor and one velocity sensor, each in a separate probe sheath. QuadraTherm (the term “Quad” meaning “four”) introduces four sensors—three precision platinum temperature sensors and one patented DrySense mass velocity sensor. Performance improvements never before possible are gained as the QuadraTherm Technology isolates forced […]
Read the StoryNew QuadraTherm 640i / 780i: Introducing The World’s Most Accurate Thermal Mass Flow Meters

Written By:
Matthew Olin, President
From Sierra’s beginning over forty years ago, we have been driven by the vision of supplying industrial customers with the world’s most accurate thermal mass flow meter. And, we knew it was a “sensor” game. The development of an industrialized metal-sheathed sensor in the early 80s was Sierra’s first big step, but we didn’t stop there. Many successful innovations […]
Read the StoryPrecise PVD with Mass Flow Meters

Written By:
Erica Giannini, Marketing Manager
Developers and manufacturers of solar photovoltaic installations have seen a dramatic increase in business in recent years. If you’re part of this industry, you know that solar energy now generates power in more than 100 countries and continues to be the fastest growing type of electricity generation in the world. Due to the growing demand, manufacturing […]
Read the StorySmartTrak® 140 Ultra-Low ΔP Mass Flow Controllers

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
Get Incredible 4.5 psid (310 mBard) at Flows up to 500 slpm. When you need precision gas mass flow control of expensive process gases, where minimal pressure drop is a key consideration for cost savings and efficiency, the SmartTrak® 140 flow meter controls up to 500 slpm with an ultra-low ΔP of 4.5 psid (310 […]
Read the StoryOut in the Cold: Mass Vortex Flowmeter Conquers Cryogenic Fluid

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
Cryogenic fluids are key in a variety of industries with very low temperature applications, including medical, large-scale frozen food processing and electric power transmission. However, these fluids must be handled – and measured – with great care, which can be a challenge if you’re using a traditional turbine meter or other tools to assess various fluid […]
Read the StoryStop Getting Steamed (Part 2): Easy Vortex Flowmeter Retrofit

Written By:
John, Chief Engineer
In my last post, I outlined problems you may be facing if you need to measure superheated steam accurately, and I promised to share a success story about our Innova-Mass multivariable vortex flow meter. A district energy provider for a Midwest city had hot air problems. Their old shunt meters were wearing out and leading […]
Read the StoryUltrasonic Flow Meter Reduces Water Company’s Drain [Case Study]

Written By:
John, Chief Engineer
The Carmel Riviera Mutual Water Company believed it was losing big. Historical estimates indicated that more than 30% of this small, independent water company’s production was going down the drain through leaks, waste, evaporation and other types of loss. The company budgeted almost $60,000 per year in initiatives to reduce these leaks, including labor and materials […]
Read the StoryStop Getting Steamed (part 1): Vortex Flow Meters Make Cents

Written By:
John, Chief Engineer
If you’re a provider of superheated steam – commonly used to heat water and buildings in large cities in the northeastern United States – then you may be watching your revenue go up in smoke. As you know, steam is not free. Normally, it’s produced at a central facility and piped to customers. Like all other forms […]
Read the StoryPart 2: For Steam Flow, Mass Vortex Flow Meters Are Ideal!

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
In my last post, I discussed the problem of density errors creeping into steam flow measurements. When steam is superheated, you can determine density by the steam tables. But, as the vapor cools in a pipe, things aren’t so simple. I said the answer to the conundrum is actually “blowing in the wind” – that a […]
Read the StoryFor Steam Flow, Mass Vortex Flow Meters Are Ideal!

Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
I want to discuss a special form of gas flow measurement – water vapor – otherwise known as steam flow. Traditionally, steam has been measured with orifice plates. The steam was typically saturated or had a known superheat, so the density could be obtained from the steam tables. However, steam naturally cools as it goes down the […]
Read the StoryCustomize Your Flow Meters

Written By:
Kam Bansal, Dir. of Engineering
Did you know Sierra has a special team called OEM & Custom Solutions Group? This team of engineers and technicians is dedicated to meeting the need for custom products. By utilizing nearly 40 years of flow meter design experience, we modify any existing product to meet original equipment manufacturer (OEM), private label or general customer special […]
Read the StoryChoosing a Flow Meter as Tough as Corrosive Gas

Written By:
Matthew Olin, President
One of the interesting trends we have seen in the Bio/Pharm and general scientific research markets is the many people who want to measure and control corrosive gases. This has always been a tough application, but there are a few ways that we can help you be successful. The ideal flowmeter is the SideTrak 840, built […]
Read the StoryRiding the Waves of Climate Change, Part 3: Only Durable, Reliable Flowmeters Survive

Written By:
Erica Giannini, Marketing Manager
This month I’ve been blogging about field researcher David Mucciarone, a Stanford University science and engineering associate. He’s part of a team that’s changing the way research about global warming is done, moving from discrete sampling to continuous, real-time monitoring. A key component of that shift is the flow meter in his chromatography-based flow-through sampling […]
Read the StoryRiding the Waves of Climate Change, Part 2: Flowmeter Precision is Essential

Written By:
Erica Giannini, Marketing Manager
Recently, I wrote about how Stanford researcher David Mucciarone is helping redefine the way climate-change research is conducted Riding Waves of Climate Change, Part 1. In making a break from traditional discrete sampling, which provides only a tiny snapshot of water conditions, Mucciarone has created his own chromatography-based, flow-through device that can sample a variety […]
Read the StoryRiding the Waves of Climate Change, Part 1: Flowmeters Help Change the Way Research is Done

Written By:
Erica Giannini, Marketing Manager
Back in December, I shared how the Sierra Smart-Trak flowmeter traveled to Antarctica in 2006 with Stanford University researcher David Mucciarone. As a critical component of his data collection efforts, the flow meter helped him measure the breakdown of inorganic carbon during the Antarctic summer bloom. This important R&D work directly correlated with studies on global […]
Read the StoryNatural Gas Measurement: 3 Reasons Thermal Mass Flow Meters Are Ideal

Written By:
John, Chief Engineer
When it comes to metering natural gas, you’ve got several flow meter options. However, thermal mass flow meters offer three distinct advantages over more traditional flow meters: No moving parts. As you can probably guess, moving parts can cause problems over time due to wear, lubrication and coating sensitivity. For example, turbine meters offer excellent […]
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