Ultrasonic Water Meter
– The Future for Residential Water Metering
Measure Today. Ensure Tomorrow.
Agenda
• Mechanical Water Meters
– Types
– Performance Limitations
– Effects of Wear
• Ultrasonic Water Meters
– Benefits
– Technology
– Applications
• Questions and Answers
Mechanical Water Meters Include:
• Positive Displacement Technology
– Oscillating Piston
– Nutating Disc
• Velocity Technology
– Multi Jet
– Single Jet
Nutating Disc Water Meter
Picture from Omega Flow and Level Handbook
Oscillating Piston Water Meter
Picture from Omega Flow and Level Handbook
Single Jet Water Meter
Multi Jet Water Meter
Benefits of Mechanical Meters
 Proven Technology
 Widely Accepted and Trusted in the Industry
 Technology has Evolved and Improved Over
more than 100 Years
 Several Types Can Be Rebuilt ‐ Extending their
Useful Life
Disadvantages of Mechanical Meters
 Moving parts – Wear and Tear
 Regular re-calibration is required (5years)
 Maintenance Is Required
Prone to Tamping, i.e., magnetic tampering on register
 Particulates in Water Can Cause Problems
 Calcium in Water Can Cause Problems
 Significant Pressure Loss
 Correct Sizing is Very Important
Inherent Low Flow Performance Limitations
 Accuracy Relies on Close Tolerances that are Subject to
Wear
 Accuracy Degrading Over Time
The following slides are for Low Flow analysis
¾” Mechanical Meter Accuracy
at Low Flow
Source: Apparent Losses Caused By Meter Inaccuracies at Ultralow Flows,
Richards et.al, AWWA Journal, June 2010
Implications for Water Conservation
• You Can’t Count What You Can’t Measure
• Even the Best AMI System Can’t Detect Leaks
Below a Meter’s Lowest Flow Sensitivity
• A Leak of 0.05 GPM (1/20th GPM) amounts to 39
Teaspoons, or about 0.8 Cups per Minute
• This is Not Just a “Drip” Every Few Minutes
Slow Leak, Big Loss
0.05 GPM is 2,160 Gallons over 30 Days, or 25,920
Gallons per Year from ONE meter
• Across 10,000 Meters, this could amount to
259,200,000 Gallons per Year (795 Acre Feet)
• How Many Meters Have Leaks at or Below 0.05
GPM?
WE DON’T REALLY KNOW BECAUSE THE
MECHANICAL METERS CANNOT MEASURE THESE
FLOWS – EVEN WHEN NEW!
What We Are Sure
• AWWA States That 16% of a Meter’s Usage Occurs
at Low Flows (Less Than 1 GPM)
• Mechanical Meters Measure Only A Small
Percentage of Flow Below 1/4 GPM – Even When
New
• [Unmeasured Flow] Results in Significant Revenue
Loss for the Utility
Source: Apparent Losses Caused By Meter Inaccuracies at Ultralow Flows,
Richards et.al, AWWA Journal, June 2010
Sources of Non‐Revenue Water
AWWA Standard Water Balance
Apparent Losses From Meters
Based on test studies of anonymous water utilities,
typical average customer meter under registration is
about 5 to 6 percent.
Graph Source: Apparent Losses Caused By Meter Inaccuracies at Ultralow Flows,
Richards et.al, AWWA Journal, June 2010
Apparent Losses From Meters
Based on test studies of anonymous water utilities,
typical average customer meter under registration is
about 5 to 6 percent.
Graph Source: Apparent Losses Caused By Meter Inaccuracies at Ultralow Flows,
Richards et.al, AWWA Journal, June 2010
Agenda
• Mechanical Water Meters
– Types
– Performance Limitations
– Effects of Wear
• Ultrasonic Water Meters
– Benefits
– Technology
– Applications
• Questions and Answers
How Does Ultrasonic Water
Meter Work
- Based on Transit-time Technology
This technology is similar to the following:
The boat traveling against flow takes longer time to reach to its
opposite bank than the one travels along the flow.
Travel time difference is directly related to river flow velocity.
To measure flow in a pipe, a pair of ultrasonic transducers are installed:
D
Each transducer sends a sound pulse towards the other.
The pulse traveling downstream takes less time than the one travelling
upstream.
The travel time difference of the two pulses are proportional to the
flowrate:
Q ~ Tup-Tdn
For Small Size Pipe:
Reflector-Based Sensor for High Sensitivity
V>0
With flow, red pulse travels faster than green pulse,
thus, takes less time to complete the trip.
The travel time difference is proportional to flowrare
Patented Sensor design boosts system performance:
 Convex reflector surface
reduces risk of particle
deposition.
 Internal design absorbs
multi-mode reflection.
 Pure/strong signal is
obtained.
 Guarantees
increased accuracy
and stability.
ULTRASONIC COLD WATER METER
▲
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Smart
Digital
NSF61-G approved
Cutting-Edge Technology
Designed for the Future
Idea for
submetering
 No moving parts to wear and tear.
 Maintenance-free. No annual calibration required.
 Tamper-proof design.
ULTRASONIC COLD WATER METER
▲
▲
▲
▲
▲
Smart
Digital
NSF61-G approved
Cutting-Edge Technology
Designed for the Future
 No moving parts to wear and tear.
Idea for
residential
metering
 Maintenance-free. No annual calibration required.
 Tamper-proof design.
LEAKAGE DETECTION
IN RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY
Each domestic meter is able
to detect small water
leakage.
When leakage is detected,
water meter sends alarm to
data center promptly.
Spire’s Ultrasonic Water
Meter is designed for this!
Count each drop
MORE ADVANTAGES …
Wide dynamic range
Pipe burst detection and alarm
A lifetime of accuracy so the tenant pays for
what they consumes. T
Low pressure drop. Saves pumping cost.
Smart interface ready for automatic meter
reading (AMR/AMI)
Comparison –
¾” Meter Accuracy at Low Flow
Graph Source: Apparent Losses Caused By Meter Inaccuracies at Ultralow Flows,
Richards et.al, AWWA Journal, June 2010
Comparison –
¾” Meter Accuracy at Full Range
Comparison – ¾” Linearity
Comparison – Dynamic Range
Mechanical (AMCO C700)
¾”
1”
120
100
Ultrasonic (Spire 280W-D)
200
200
In fact, ultrasonic water meter has much larger dynamic range than
shown in its spec.
Comparison – Longevity
LEAKAGE DETECTION
Utah Water Research
Laboratory Study
“Reduction of apparent losses caused by meter
inaccuracies at low flows can result in substantial
increases in revenue for a utility.”
“Additionally, increased meter accuracy will allow
for more equitable billing of customers.”
Richards, Johnson and Barfuss; Utah Water Research Laboratory
Conservation and Revenue
Ultrasonic Technology Offers a Win‐Win for Utilities,
Consumers, and the Environment.
 They Can Reduce Apparent Losses From Meters,
Allowing Utilities to Bill for More of the Water Actually
Delivered
 They Can Help Eliminate the Smallest Leaks
 They Can Pay for Themselves in a Few Years
 They Deliver More Information Than Ever Before
 Environmentally Friendly Composition
Conservation and Revenue
Ultrasonic Technology Offers a Win‐Win for Utilities,
Consumers, and the Environment.
 They Can Reduce Apparent Losses From Meters,
Allowing Utilities to Bill for More of the Water Actually
Delivered
 They Can Help Eliminate the Smallest Leaks
 They Can Pay for Themselves in a Few Years
 They Deliver More Information Than Ever Before
 Environmentally Friendly Composition
AMR/AMI Ready
Ultrasonic Water Meter Has Built-in AMR/AMI Feature. Easy
for AMR/AMI Integration.
Conclusions
 Mechanical Meters Are Still a Viable Solution
– They Have Served Us Well for Over 100 Years
 New Technologies Available Today Offer
Compelling Financial and Ecological Benefits
 They Compliment AMI System Deployments but
Offer Many Benefits Independent of AMI
 Utilities Should Explore and Understand the
Potential of These Meter Technologies
Agenda
• Mechanical Water Meters
– Types
– Performance Limitations
– Effects of Wear
• Ultrasonic Water Meters
– Benefits
– Technology
– Applications
• Questions and Answers
THANK YOU!
Massachusetts, USA www.SpireMT.com
… A Global Leader in Flow & Energy
Management Solutions …