Why do vortex flow meters need special treatment for oxygen measurement?

Project Overview

Vortex flow meters require special degreasing treatment before being used to measure flammable and explosive gases such as oxygen. The main reason is safety considerations. The specific reasons are as follows:

1. Explosion risk: When high-pressure oxygen encounters grease, it may explode or burn violently. Oxygen itself is not flammable, but is a strong oxidant that can intensify the combustion of other substances. If lubricating oil, anti-rust oil or other grease substances remain inside or on the surface of the vortex flowmeter, when oxygen flows through, the grease may be oxidized by oxygen and burn rapidly, resulting in an explosion or fire accident.

2. Process residues: During the manufacturing and assembly process, the vortex flowmeter may come into contact with various lubricants, anti-rust oils, etc. If these substances are not completely removed, they will become safety hazards.

3. Storage and transportation: During storage and transportation, in order to prevent rust, the equipment is usually oil sealed, which also needs to be completely removed before use.

4. Material compatibility: Equipment materials used in oxygen environments must be compatible to avoid adverse chemical reactions with oxygen. Degreasing also ensures that the surface of the material is clean and avoids potential chemical reactions.

Therefore, degreasing and oil-free treatment of the vortex flowmeter is a necessary precaution to ensure safety when measuring oxygen. This usually involves cleaning, purging and drying with specialized solvents to ensure that no traces of oil or flammable residue are present on the instrument.