What equipment is commonly used to measure flow rates in pipelines?

Flow meters are specifically designed to measure the flow rate of liquids and gases in pipelines. They operate by quantifying the volume or mass of fluid that passes through them over a certain period. This allows operators to monitor and control flow effectively, ensuring that processes run smoothly and efficiently. Flow meters come in various types, such as electromagnetic, ultrasonic, turbine, and positive displacement meters, each suitable for different applications and fluid characteristics.

In contrast, a pressure gauge measures the pressure within a system rather than the flow rate, making it unsuitable for this purpose. A thermometer measures temperature, which provides different information critical to process control but does not relate to flow measurement. A volumetric flask is used for measuring precise volumes of liquids in laboratory settings, rather than in dynamic flow applications. Thus, while all the other instruments serve important functions in their respective contexts, only flow meters are specifically tailored for measuring flow rates in pipelines.