Flow computers under threat?

In the March edition of the magazine we tackled flow technology head-on and looked at what the future holds for conventional flow computers.

Although there are metering devices capable of monitoring multiple variables, it is fair to say that within the oil and gas industry, traditional flow computers still play a major role.

March of technology

Indeed, even in the current climate of cripplingly low oil prices, research by Markets and Markets predicts that the global oil & gas flow computer market is predicted to grow at a compound average growth rate of 5.5% every year up to 2020, when it is expected to be valued at US$1.04 billion (£743m).

However, flow computers are by no means immune from the march of technology.

Specifically, and as our March Pumps, Valves & Flow cover story points out, flow computers face a very real threat in many sectors of becoming, if not already, surplus to requirements.

This is because many of the sensors used in a process facility can now monitor multiple variables and carry out some of the calculations that were once the sole domain of the flow computer.

Flow computers face a very real threat in many sectors of becoming, if not already, surplus to requirements

There are now a number of process companies that offer flow meters with “advanced flow computer functionality”, or else thermal mass flow meters that could be considered to be flow computers.

Experts suggest new instrumentation is negating the use of traditional flow computers within many industries.

Therefore, it seems just the oil and gas sector that is keeping this technology in service.

However, if the Markets and Markets report is to be believed, the guys selling traditional flow computers haven’t got too much to worry about. Not yet, anyway.

For a more detailed analysis, read our March cover story HERE.