DIC Performance Resins GmbH in Vienna is one of the most important manufacturers of synthetically produced resins. The company is involved in the development and production of environmentally friendly systems of high-performance resins and specialised in the research of surface technologies. Complex chemical reactions are used to create the desired polymer structure, which is relevant for the various characteristics of the resin. To ensure consistent product quality, precise control of process parameters such as temperature and pressure is required.

Over the course of its operating life, the performance of the cooling system responsible for maintaining the temperature in the process had declined. In order to reinstate the efficiency of the cooling system it was necessary to calculate the cooling usage of the network and make adjustments. The process of doing this required taking measurements on the individual pipelines in the system which in turn demanded a flowmeter capable of providing accuracy and a high level of safety.

Given the necessities for a large number of measurements at different locations a clamp-on type device was the obvious choice. This technology allows the user to have a quick installation and temporary measurements without the need for pipe modification. The production of synthetic resins creates a hazardous area which meant that any flowmeter used needed to be suitable for use in such an environment. 

It was decided that the most suitable device for this project was a clamp-on KATflow 170 from Katronic. The device is ATEX certified for Zones 1 and 2 and although normally used on a permanent basis it can be adapted for temporary use. The KATflow 170 was ideally matched for the application, it was capable of measuring on the DN50 steel pipes at 2.0 m³/s, in the media temperature range -20 ... +35 °C.

Given the number of pipes to be measured the clamp-on flowmeter needed to be easy to set up and operate. This was significantly helped by the novel Audible Sensor Positioning Assistant and simple sensor mounting technology which sets the Katronic flowmeters apart. This ease of use was confirmed by operators at DIC who commented that after initial experience with the device, the flow rates could be gathered "quickly and easily". Once the required balancing calculations were completed the results confirmed the accuracy, reliability and performance of KATflow meter.