Less is More New Water Meter for Accurate Measurement of Consumption
January 24 , 2006
Turn on the taps! Severn Trent Metering Services Ltd of Chesterfield, UK has developed a new water meter without any moving parts, which enables consumption to be measured very accurately. Called SmartMeter, the new design overcomes traditional problems associated with conventional mechanical meters. It has been reduced to just two main components, which can be produced in a single mold. The material selected for the outer case and the inner flow chamber is Hostaform® acetal copolymer (POM) white C2521. This POM grade impressed the UK manufacturer with its good wear behavior, excellent creep strength and high resistance to temperature extremes.
Severn Trent required a material that could be used to produce the outer case and inner flow chamber in one mold and would ensure accurate metering performance for a minimum of 10 years. Working closely with Ticona engineers on the design and material selection for the SmartMeter, Severn Trent selected Hostaform acetal copolymer white C2521. This high-molecular-weight grade has been successfully used in potable water applications for over 40 years, has good impact strength and also excellent fatigue resistance to withstand the effects of water hammer.
The two components of the new meter design are assembled by hot plate welding using a unique double welding system that welds the outer case and inner flow chamber in one operation. This not only creates the pressurized flow chamber but also makes a watertight seal. Thanks to Ticona's Hostaform, SmartMeter has good wear resistance to any sand or grit which might ingress the meter and is capable of withstanding operating pressures of up to 20 bar across a temperature range of -10°C to +60°C. Without any moving parts, SmartMeter overcomes the traditional problems associated with conventional mechanical meters such as short life span or inaccurate recording of water volumes when worn.
Neil Furmidge, Engineering Director at Severn Trent Metering Services, comments: "Thanks to Hostaform with its exceptional properties, proven potable water performance under continuous pressure and compliance with global water standards, we are now able to offer a meter for the first time with the benefits of solid state water metering, available at low cost, to millions of domestic consumers right across the world." Water lovers should be especially happy about this because they will benefit twice over: less stress with water bills and, as a result, far more enjoyment when taking a shower or bath ...
Hostaform, the Ticona acetal copolymer (POM) has a linear structure and high crystallinity. The chemical structure of this high-performance polymer gives it higher stability to thermal and oxidative degradation processes than homopolymers. Hostaform is particularly characterized by good electrical and dielectric properties, optimum slip/low-friction properties, easy processing, excellent toughness over a wide range (down to -40 °C) and high hardness and rigidity. This material class also has good resistance to heat deflection (continuous service temperature up to 100 °C) and good chemical resistance to fuels, solvents and strong alkalis. Because of its excellent property profile, POM is used in virtually all industrial sectors.
About Severn Trent Metering Services Ltd.
Severn Trent Services is a leading supplier of water and wastewater treatment solutions and also one of the largest providers of laboratory analysis for potable water. Based in Chesterfield,UK, the company has 5,000 employees worldwide.
About Ticona und Celanese
Ticona, the technical polymers business of Celanese Corporation, produces and markets a broad range of engineering polymers and achieved sales of $ 863 million in 2004. Ticona has approximately 2,000 employees at production, compounding and research facilities in the USA, Germany and Brazil.
Celanese Corporation (NYSE:CE) is an integrated global producer of value-added industrial chemicals based in Dallas, Texas. The Company has four major businesses: Chemicals Products, Technical Polymers Ticona, Acetate Products and Performance Products. Celanese has production plants in North America, Europe and Asia. In 2004, Celanese Corporation and its predecessor had combined net sales of $5.1 billion. The presentation of combined net sales of Celanese Corporation with its predecessor is not in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
