Description
The GE Panametrics DigitalFlow GC868 (Part Number: GC868-2-21-10416-0-0) is a high-performance ultrasonic flowmeter designed specifically for the measurement of gases in industrial environments. Utilizing ultrasonic transit-time technology, it provides non-intrusive, real-time flow measurement, making it ideal for monitoring gases in pipes where traditional flowmeters would cause significant pressure drops or be subject to wear and corrosion. It is widely used in industrial hardware applications such as natural gas measurement, flare gas monitoring, and chemical process control.
Product Specifications
- Model Name: DigitalFlow GC868
- Part Number: GC868-2-21-10416-0-0
- Manufacturer: GE Panametrics (now Baker Hughes)
- Measurement Technology: Ultrasonic Transit-Time
- Application: Gas flow measurement (Natural gas, flare gas, chemical gases)
- Design: Fixed-installation meter for permanent monitoring
- Output: Standard industrial analog (4-20mA), digital communication (RS-232/RS-485), and pulse output
- Housing: Explosion-proof / Flame-proof enclosure for hazardous environments
- Operating Temperature: -20°C to +60°C (Electronics)
- Accuracy: ±1% of reading (depending on application/installation)
Key Features and Benefits
- Non-Intrusive: Because it utilizes external or wetted transducers that don’t block the flow, it eliminates pressure drop and reduces maintenance associated with moving parts.
- Wide Rangeability: Capable of measuring both high and low flow velocities with high precision.
- Advanced Diagnostics: Offers onboard diagnostic capability to monitor the health of the transducer signals and the flow conditions.
- Versatile Gas Compatibility: Suitable for a broad spectrum of gases including hydrogen, nitrogen, methane, and various process gases.
Maintenance & Technical Considerations
- Transducer Alignment: For accurate measurement, the transducers must be precisely installed according to the pipe diameter and gas properties.
- Pipe Condition: Accuracy is highly dependent on the straight run of pipe upstream and downstream to ensure a fully developed flow profile.
- Calibration: Periodic verification of the electronics against a known standard is recommended for safety-critical applications like flare gas monitoring.
Recommended Components and Ecosystem
⚙️ Panametrics T-Series Transducers (Standard ultrasonic sensors for GC868)
⚙️ PanView/PanInterface Software (For configuration and data retrieval)
⚙️ GE/Baker Hughes Flow Analysis Tools (Software for calculating gas properties)
⚙️ Temperature/Pressure Transmitters (Required for mass flow compensation)
⚙️ Explosion-Proof Junction Boxes (For hazardous area cabling)
⚙️ Clamp-on Mounting Fixtures (For non-invasive installations)
⚙️ Wetted Transducer Assemblies (For applications with high-pressure/temp)
⚙️ Calibration Gas Verification Kits (For field verification)
⚙️ Signal Isolators (For protecting 4-20mA loops in noisy electrical environments)
⚙️ Communication Modems (For remote monitoring over serial/modbus)
