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Sonotec Flow Meter: Ultrasonic Sonoflow Sensors for Bio-Pharma Tubing
Quick Answer
The Sonotec ultrasonic flow meter for bio-pharma tubing clamps on the outside of flexible silicone or C-Flex lines. It measures liquid flow without touching the fluid. Silver Automation Instruments supplies these sensors for single use skids, buffer lines, filtration systems, and fill circuits across Australia, Southeast Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East.
Where These Sensors Fit in Bio-Pharma Processes
Biopharma lines often use silicone, C-Flex, PharMed, or similar tubing from 1/8 inch up to 1 inch outer diameter. The Sonotec flow meter mounts directly on the tube wall. There are no wetted metal parts, no seals, and no sterilization risk. This matters when the batch must stay isolated. Engineers select this design for buffer preparation, chromatography feed, filtration skids, and final filling circuits.
Here is the thing. A clamp on flow meter saves cleaning validation time. Because the sensor never touches the product, there is no cross batch contamination path. A vaccine manufacturer in Indonesia replaced a disposable flow gauge on a 1/2 inch C-Flex harvest line with this sensor. The batch record now includes continuous flow trending with a 4-20 mA signal to the PLC.
Key Specifications and Measurement Ranges
The Sonoflow sensor handles flow ranges from 0.01 L/min to 80 L/min depending on tube size and liquid properties. Typical accuracy is ±1 percent of reading or better after field calibration. Repeatability is often 0.2 percent or better. The transmitter outputs 4-20 mA HART, RS485, or digital pulse signals. Operating temperature covers 2 °C to 40 °C for most cleanroom areas. The sensor body carries an IP65 or IP67 rating. The transmitter can be DIN rail mounted or panel mounted.
Most engineers skip the couplant step. The dry clamp pressure gives a stable ultrasonic coupling. This keeps the sensor movable between single use campaigns. In practice, you can re-mount the same sensor on a new tube set in less than five minutes.
Tube Size Mapping and Fluid Compatibility
For 1/8 inch and 1/4 inch tubing, the low flow sensor works best. For 3/8 inch and 1/2 inch lines, a mid range sensor gives stable readings from 0.05 L/min to 20 L/min. For 3/4 inch and 1 inch transfer lines, the larger sensor covers 0.1 L/min to 60 L/min. The sensor works with liquids from 0.5 cP to 200 cP. This covers buffers, media, protein solutions, and some cell suspensions. High turbidity liquids still produce readable signals because the ultrasonic path locks onto the tube wall reflections.
But tube wall properties matter more than the inner diameter. Wall thickness, Shore hardness, and temperature change the acoustic path. Silver Automation Instruments asks for tube outer diameter, material, and wall thickness before quoting. That avoids a mismatch on reinforced or thin wall tubing.
Recommended Models for Common Applications
For lab perfusion and small scale process development, select the Sonoflow CO.55 low flow sensor for 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch tubing. For pilot scale filtration and chromatography skids, the Sonoflow CO.56 standard
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Installation on Single Use Assemblies
Mount the sensor on a straight tube run. Keep 10 tube diameters upstream and 5 tube diameters downstream. Avoid tube bends, pinch valves, and pump heads near the sensor. The clamp fixture aligns the transducers automatically. Do not use excessive force on thin wall silicone tube. The sensor does not need gel or couplant. A dry clamp coupling is enough because the fixture applies controlled pressure.
We have seen customers in Singapore and Mexico install these sensors on 1/2 inch C-Flex lines without stopping the batch. They remove the old tube set, position the new tube set in the fixture, and restart the flow loop. The transmitter retains the calibration profile. That saves time on the production floor.
Silver Instruments Supply Scope and Support
As a flow meter manufacturer and supplier, Silver Automation Instruments supplies Sonotec Sonoflow sensors, transmitters, and spare clamp sets for bio-pharma tubing. We also supply Coriolis mass flow meters, electromagnetic flow meters, and pressure transmitters for utility loops. If you want a quote, send us your tube outer diameter in inches or mm, your flow range in L/min, your liquid type, temperature in °C, and your output preference.
Contact Silver Automation Instruments at Tel: +86-25-68650347. WhatsApp: +86-25-52155837. WeChat: +86 15365082610. Our sales engineers reply within 24 hours on working days.
FAQ
Can the Sonotec sensor measure flow without cutting the tube?
Yes. The sensor clamps on the outside of the tubing. It uses ultrasonic transit time. No fluid contact occurs. This suits single use systems and clean room operations.
What accuracy can we expect on a 3/8 inch silicone line?
After a one point field calibration, typical accuracy is ±1 percent of reading or better. The actual value depends on tube wall consistency, temperature drift, and mounting position. Silver Automation Instruments can advise a mounting fixture for stable readings.
Does the sensor work with opaque or colored tubing?
Yes. The ultrasonic measurement does not need optical transparency. The sensor couples through the tube wall. It works with many opaque biopharma tubing types if the wall material is consistent.
Can I use one transmitter with two sensors?
Some Sonotec transmitters support dual channel operation. Check the exact part number with Silver Automation Instruments. Provide the number of lines and tube sizes. We select the transmitter variant that matches your disposable manifold.
How do we order spare sensors for a bioreactor project?
Send us the tube outer diameter, tube material, flow range, and the current part number if available. We quote a sensor and transmitter set from stock or fast delivery to Australia, ASEAN, Middle East, and Latin America. Use Tel or WhatsApp above for a same day response.