What would be the best flowmeter to use to measure the flow of a waste stream containing scum and sludge?

In the context of measuring a waste stream that contains scum and sludge, a magnetic flowmeter is particularly suitable due to its operating principles and characteristics. Magnetic flowmeters function by applying a magnetic field to the fluid, which generates a voltage proportional to the flow rate as conductive fluids pass through the magnetic field.

One of the primary advantages of magnetic flowmeters is their ability to handle slurries, which include solids and particles suspended in liquids, without suffering from inaccuracies typically associated with other types of flowmeters. They do not have any moving parts that could be clogged or damaged by solid contaminants, making them more resilient in harsh environments like those found in wastewater treatment.

In addition, magnetic flowmeters are not affected by changes in density, temperature, or pressure, which means they provide reliable and consistent flow measurements even when the composition of the waste stream varies. This quality makes them ideal for measuring difficult materials so commonly found in waste treatment processes.

Utilizing a flowmeter that is prone to obstruction or wear from particulates, such as a propeller or paddlewheel flowmeter, would be less effective in this scenario, as these flowmeters may suffer from inaccurate readings or malfunction in the presence of scum and sludge. An orifice plate with a differential