Need to measure liquid flow without cutting into pipework, stopping operations, or risking contamination? Coltraco Ultrasonics supplies UK-made ultrasonic flow meters that help engineers measure flow rate, flow velocity, and volume flow from outside the pipe wall.
Our Portasonic® and Permaflow® technologies use non-invasive clamp-on ultrasonic flow measurement for suitable liquid applications. That means there is no need to break into the pipe, interrupt the flow stream or place mechanical parts directly into the measured fluid.
Whether you need portable testing, fixed monitoring, flow-to-pressure insight or help choosing the right ultrasonic devices for your system, Coltraco Ultrasonics can help you specify the correct instrument.
Speak to Coltraco Ultrasonics for technical advice, product guidance or a tailored quotation.
We are proud winners of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade, in both 2019 and 2022.
An ultrasonic flow meter is a flow measurement device that uses ultrasonic waves to measure flow in a pipe. Instead of placing a mechanical meter inside the pipe, clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters use ultrasonic transducers attached to the outside of the pipe wall.
These transducers send and receive sound waves through the pipe and the flowing liquid. By analysing how the ultrasonic signal behaves as fluid flows through the pipe, the meter can calculate flow velocity, flow rate and volumetric flow rate.
This makes ultrasonic meters useful where:
For many commercial and industrial systems, ultrasonic technology provides a safer and more convenient way to measure flow than an intrusive in-line meter.
An ultrasonic flow meter works by sending sound waves between two ultrasonic transducers mounted on a pipe. The meter compares upstream and downstream measurements. When fluid flows, the ultrasonic pulse travelling with the flow moves faster than the pulse travelling against it. This time difference allows the meter to calculate fluid velocity, flow rate and volumetric flow rate without cutting into the pipe or contacting the liquid.
A clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter is designed to measure flow from outside the pipe. For many users, that is the biggest advantage.
With an in-line flow meter, the pipe usually needs to be cut, drained or modified. That can increase installation time, cost and operational risk. A clamp-on ultrasonic meter avoids this because the ultrasonic transmitters and receivers sit externally on the pipe wall.
The benefits are clear:
This is particularly useful for facilities management, HVAC systems, water systems, energy monitoring, process lines and fluid handling applications where accurate flow measurement is needed without system shutdown.
For applications involving wider liquid and fluid testing requirements, Coltraco’s fluid handling testing solutions show how ultrasonic technology can support inspection, monitoring and system assurance.
Many buyers compare transit time flow meters and Doppler flow meters when researching ultrasonic flow measurement. Both use acoustic waves, but they are suited to different fluid conditions.
Transit time flow meters are generally best suited to clean liquids. They use two ultrasonic transducers to send electronic pulses both upstream and downstream through the pipe.
When the liquid flowing through the pipe is clean enough for the ultrasonic beam to pass through, the meter can measure the time difference between the upstream and downstream measurements. This time difference is then used to calculate flow velocity and flow rate.
Coltraco Ultrasonics specialises in transit time flow meters through the Portasonic® and Permaflow® range.
Doppler flow meters work differently. They rely on a reflected signal from entrained particles, solid particles or entrained gas bubbles within the flowing fluid. The meter sends sound waves into the fluid, and when those waves bounce off particles or gas bubbles, the change in frequency is used to calculate velocity.
This is known as frequency shift.
Doppler flow meters are often used where the fluid contains enough suspended solids or gas bubbles to reflect the ultrasonic signal. They are not usually the best choice for clean liquid applications where transit time measurement is more suitable.
Choosing the right method matters. The wrong measurement principle can affect measurement accuracy, signal strength and reliability.
The best ultrasonic flow meter depends on how you need to measure flow, whether monitoring is temporary or continuous, and what data you need from the system.
| Coltraco product | Best for | Key use |
| Portasonic® PLUS | Portable ultrasonic flow measurement | Temporary flow checks, maintenance, commissioning, data recording and export |
| Portasonic® PRO | Flow rate and pressure insight | Clamp-on flow measurement with built-in pressure prediction software |
| Permaflow® | Fixed ultrasonic monitoring | Continuous liquid flow, mass flow and heat or energy flow monitoring |
| Portasonic® CALCULATOR | Engineering calculations | Converting flow data into pressure-related insight |
The Portasonic® PLUS portable ultrasonic flow meter is designed for handheld testing of liquid flow rate. It can measure, internally record and export flow rate data, making it useful for engineers who need flexible testing across different pipework.
It is a strong option when you need to:
Portasonic® PRO is a handheld tablet-based ultrasonic clamp-on flow meter with built-in pressure prediction software. It is designed for users who need more than a simple flow reading and want insight into liquid flow rate and pressure-related calculations.
This makes it suitable for engineers who need to understand how flow performance relates to internal pipe pressure, operational efficiency and system behaviour.
The Permaflow® fixed ultrasonic flow meter is designed for constant monitoring of liquid flow rate. It is mains powered and built for 24/7 monitoring, with the ability to measure volumetric flow rate, mass flow rate and heat or energy flow rate under suitable conditions.
Permaflow® is well-suited to applications where flow needs to be monitored continuously rather than checked occasionally.
Portasonic® CALCULATOR supports users who need to convert flow data into pressure-related engineering insight. It is useful when internal pipe pressure calculations are needed as part of system assessment, troubleshooting or engineering review.
Coltraco ultrasonic flow meters can support several types of flow measurement, depending on the application and selected product.
Volumetric flow rate measures the volume of fluid passing through a pipe over time. Once the pipe’s internal cross-sectional area is known, the meter can calculate volume flow in units such as litres per hour or gallons per minute.
Mass flow can be calculated when the density of the fluid is known. This gives operators a way to understand the mass of liquid moving through the system, not only the volume.
Where temperature inputs and fluid data are available, the heat or energy flow rate can be calculated. This is valuable for heating, cooling and energy efficiency applications.
Totalised flow adds up the amount of liquid that has passed through the pipe over a measurement period. This helps users understand total consumption, transfer volumes or system performance over time.
Accurate measurement depends on more than the meter itself. The measured fluid, pipe wall, pipe sizes, flow profile and installation conditions all influence the final result.
Important factors include:
Coltraco’s instruments are built to support reliable setup, including signal diagnostics through built-in oscilloscope functionality on applicable units. This helps users assess whether the ultrasonic signal is strong enough for accurate measurement.
Ultrasonic flow meters are used wherever liquid flow needs to be checked, monitored or verified without unnecessary disruption.
Common applications include:
Because clamp-on ultrasonic meters do not enter the pipe, they are useful in systems where downtime is costly or physical modification is difficult.
For larger organisations with specialist testing requirements, Coltraco also provides product design and engineering services to support bespoke technical challenges.
Coltraco Ultrasonics is not a generic flow meter reseller. It is a British ultrasonic technology manufacturer with a global customer base, Queen’s Award-winning export history and specialist experience in non-invasive measurement for safety-critical environments.
That matters when your flow readings support maintenance decisions, energy monitoring, system performance or operational assurance.
Coltraco exports to 120 countries and supplies ultrasonic instrumentation for sectors where reliability, safety and technical confidence matter. Its ultrasonic flow meter range is designed for engineers and operators who need dependable measurement without unnecessary disruption to the system.
Our ultrasonic flow meter range offers:
Coltraco’s flow meters are designed to make accurate flow measurement easier to perform, easier to repeat and easier to trust.
Choosing an ultrasonic flow meter is easier when you know the fluid, pipework, measurement goal and installation conditions. Coltraco Ultrasonics can help you understand whether a portable or fixed transit-time ultrasonic flow meter is right for your application.
Whether you need to measure flow during maintenance, monitor liquid flow rate continuously, record flow data, or reduce downtime with clamp-on technology, our team can guide you towards the right solution.
Speak to Coltraco Ultrasonics today for expert advice and product guidance.
