SAO Flow Meters

HORIBA's Smooth Approach Orifice calibration venturi has several advantages over Laminar Flow Elements (LFEs).

• Excellent Stability SAOs retain their original calibration accuracy (unless mechanically abused), while LFEs experience a slow shift in calibration due to dust collection and filter obstruction.

• High Accuracy Measurement SAO accuracy is ±0.5% of reading, while LFE accuracy is typically ±0.5% of full scale. Therefore, SAO accuracy is higher than LFE accuracy at all flows less than full scale.

• Minimal Pressure Loss Thanks to a high-efficiency recovery design, SAO calibration venturis experience much less pressure loss than LFEs. At the same flow capacity and pressure rating, an SAO recovers about 80% of measured throat pressure, while pressure drop across an LFE cannot be recovered.