Design Article
Smart meters tackle water conservation
Gert Skriver, Kamstrup
12/10/2012 5:31 PM EST
Ultrasonic metering technology
The ultrasonic meter is without any movable parts. Two ultrasonic transducers are used to send sound signals both against and with the flow. The ultrasonic signal traveling with the flow reaches the opposite transducer first. The time difference between the two signals can be converted into flow velocity and subsequently into volume. This method has proven to be extremely measuring stable and endurable. Mechanical meters contain an impeller which is vulnerable to particles and chalk sediments. A possible consequence is that the meter will over time stop registering the very low flow rates that can be signs of leaks in the system.
The ultrasonic metering method’s accuracy and measuring stability over time are being repeatedly confirmed by accredited international labs like the German energy efficiency association, AGFW, and random checks performed by Danish authorities3.
Kamstrup’s ultrasonic meters are standardized according to the EU Metering Directive (MID) which is accepted as standard in 31 countries.
Thus experienced in ultrasonic metering technology it seemed only a natural extension of the product program when Kamstrup launched its first ultrasonic water meter in 2007. It was soon deployed in Greenland where more than 10,000 water meters were installed and integrated in a multi-utility system with electricity meters and heat meters.
While the metering principle has remained the same since the beginning in 1991 the measurement stability has been further improved and the power consumption reduced which has resulted in a battery lifetime of 16 years.
The ultrasonic measuring method provides an abundance of data material which is being processed in the calculator by means of micro processing technology and made available for analysis and network optimization.
Based on the first promising experiences with intelligent water metering, Kamstrup develops the MULTICAL 62 with extended communication options, improved battery lifetime and higher resolution. The higher resolution means that a residential water meter is now able to read liters down to 0.01 l., which is of great importance when the meter must be re-verified.
The ultrasonic meter is without any movable parts. Two ultrasonic transducers are used to send sound signals both against and with the flow. The ultrasonic signal traveling with the flow reaches the opposite transducer first. The time difference between the two signals can be converted into flow velocity and subsequently into volume. This method has proven to be extremely measuring stable and endurable. Mechanical meters contain an impeller which is vulnerable to particles and chalk sediments. A possible consequence is that the meter will over time stop registering the very low flow rates that can be signs of leaks in the system.
Illustration 1: Sectioned ultrasonic meter showing the ultrasonic metering principle.
The ultrasonic metering method’s accuracy and measuring stability over time are being repeatedly confirmed by accredited international labs like the German energy efficiency association, AGFW, and random checks performed by Danish authorities3.
Kamstrup’s ultrasonic meters are standardized according to the EU Metering Directive (MID) which is accepted as standard in 31 countries.
Thus experienced in ultrasonic metering technology it seemed only a natural extension of the product program when Kamstrup launched its first ultrasonic water meter in 2007. It was soon deployed in Greenland where more than 10,000 water meters were installed and integrated in a multi-utility system with electricity meters and heat meters.
While the metering principle has remained the same since the beginning in 1991 the measurement stability has been further improved and the power consumption reduced which has resulted in a battery lifetime of 16 years.
The ultrasonic measuring method provides an abundance of data material which is being processed in the calculator by means of micro processing technology and made available for analysis and network optimization.
Based on the first promising experiences with intelligent water metering, Kamstrup develops the MULTICAL 62 with extended communication options, improved battery lifetime and higher resolution. The higher resolution means that a residential water meter is now able to read liters down to 0.01 l., which is of great importance when the meter must be re-verified.
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JmmWill
12/11/2012 12:18 PM EST
I like the ultrasound basis. I am electrosensitive and would be tortured if the smart meter were using radio communications which penetrated to my living areas.
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R Sweeney
12/19/2012 4:45 PM EST
So I guess you live in an area without radio and TV service, right? And you don't use a computer which emits an incredible amount of RF noise.
Oh, wait.
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JmmWill
12/11/2012 12:22 PM EST
OOPS! "The MULTICAL 21 therefore uses a standardized wireless communication, Wireless M-Bus, which is interoperable with other household meters and can be integrated into mesh networks."
I guess if I were bothered by this wireless electromagnetic feature, I'd have to use a lawsuit to force a different communication principle.
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green_is_now
12/12/2012 7:54 PM EST
Tiny bubbles...
How do they effect the acuracy?
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GPBobby
12/13/2012 7:54 AM EST
This is an awful lot of hype over very little. Sure, it's a more accurate and possibly cost effective durable meter which can save reading costs, but water is not electricity. You have very few quick fixes to cut usage. A goldfish display on my wall telling me I just flushed my water saver toilet is a so-what. Data is only useful to the extent it can alter outcomes and you already know what you can do to conserve water - new toilets, timed sink faucets, the newest washing machine, and go back to using ice cube trays (which could result in increased electricity consumption).
Most inside water is used (wasted) simply as a vehicle to transport sewage. Let's put our engineering talent and emphasis towards the source of the problem, not on fancy ways to tell us what we already know.
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WKetel
12/13/2012 3:19 PM EST
GPBobby certainly has a very good grip! A whole lot of water is indeed just used to make the sewers flow. But that could also be done using quite dirty water. In this "Greater Detroit" area it is common for leaking water mains to account for over half of the water flow, so it would be quite worthwhile to correct that problem.
So how about, instead of just boosting the prices for all, if water rates are set to follow consumption, so that the larger users pay more for gallon than the smaller users. And then find some other means to make our drains flush correctly.
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WKetel
12/13/2012 3:20 PM EST
GPBobby certainly has a very good grip! A whole lot of water is indeed just used to make the sewers flow. But that could also be done using quite dirty water. In this "Greater Detroit" area it is common for leaking water mains to account for over half of the water flow, so it would be quite worthwhile to correct that problem.
So how about, instead of just boosting the prices for all, if water rates are set to follow consumption, so that the larger users pay more for gallon than the smaller users. And then find some other means to make our drains flush correctly.
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docdivakar
1/1/2013 4:23 PM EST
A quick scan of the article leads me to this conclusion: the author makes a point about the seriousness of world's current water resources status and then starts with a case for accurate metering of water (where such metering infrastructure exists!)... and then morphs into an infomercial about Kamstrup's product and the case for ultrasonic water meters. Some astute readers above (@GPBobby included) made really sensible comments... indeed some countries already use (as well as some hotels in USA) recycled water for toilets.
In much of the developing world where running water is still a luxury to many households, the payback from conservation using hitech meters at customer premises is a less attractive proposition. Bigger pay back comes from good management of existing water resources. This is certainly not to say consumer behaviour and payback is any less important but is a nonstarter for a discussion on smart water meters.
MP Divakar
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