Thermal flow meters are specialized instruments designed to measure the flow rate of gases by detecting changes in temperature caused by the flowing gas. They operate on the principle of heat transfer: a heated sensor element is placed in the gas stream, and the cooling effect of the gas flow is measured. The rate of heat loss is directly proportional to the mass flow rate of the gas, allowing for accurate and real-time flow measurement.
These meters are highly suitable for low to medium flow rates and applications where mass flow measurement is critical. Many thermal flow meters come with digital displays, data logging, and output signals for integration with process control systems.