In-Situ Flow Measurement Sensors

In situ flow accuracy testing evaluates a flow measurement device's performance directly within the actual process environment — rather than in a controlled lab setting. This involves comparing the sensor's real-time readings against a reference standard under actual operating conditions, including variable temperatures, pressures, and gas compositions. OSI's OFS sensors support in situ verification through their NIST-certified algorithms and built-in automatic calibration checks, achieving ±2% accuracy.

Keyence flow meters typically use ultrasonic or thermal sensing principles to measure liquid or gas flow rates in industrial piping. OSI's optical flow sensors, by contrast, use patented optical scintillation technology — measuring the natural scintillation of an infrared beam passing through the moving gas stream — enabling true cross-stack, non-contact measurement unaffected by temperature, pressure, moisture, or opacity changes.

Accuracy depends on the application, but for industrial stack and duct gas flow measurement, non-intrusive optical scintillation sensors like OSI's OFS series achieve ±2% accuracy — comparable to the best ultrasonic and differential pressure meters — without the drift, moving parts, or field recalibration requirements. Their NIST-certified algorithms and over 20 million hours of validation data make them among the most reliable options for emissions compliance monitoring.

No. All OSI OFS series sensors are factory pre-calibrated using NIST-certified algorithms and feature drift-free measurement. A built-in automatic calibration check and continuous self-test diagnostics ensure sustained accuracy throughout the sensor's operational life without any on-site calibration procedures, significantly reducing maintenance burden and operational costs.

Yes. OSI's OFS-2000, OFS-2000W, and OFS Optical Flow Sensors for Flares are all capable of EPA 40 CFR Part 75 compliance for stack gas flow monitoring. These sensors support emissions monitoring at power plants, refineries, thermal oxidizers, and incinerators, and their NIST-certified measurement algorithms meet the regulatory standards required for environmental compliance reporting.

OSI's in-situ optical flow sensors are designed for power plants, petroleum refineries, chemical plants, aluminum smelters, waste-to-energy facilities, and any industrial environment with high-temperature, high-opacity, or corrosive gas streams. Specific models address wet scrubbers, bag houses, flare stacks, thermal oxidizers, incinerators, carbon capture systems, and aluminum smelter pot room roof vents, making them highly versatile across heavy industry.