Liquid Controls Positive Displacement Meters and Accessories
Product Overview: 100-10
Liquid Controls is a world-renowned supplier of reliable, high-accuracy, positive displacement (PD) metering systems. Whether your business requires flow measurement for custody transfer or process control, LC PD meters offer years of consistently accurate, trouble-free service with low cost of ownership and operation due to ease of installation, minimal maintenance, and few replacement parts.
Features and Benefits
LC meters are engineered with no metal-to-metal contact within the measuring chamber, utilizing a thin liquid capillary film for hydraulic sealing. This design results in minimal wear, sustained accuracy, and low operating costs. LC's innovative design offers minimal resistance to flow and the ability to operate on pump pressure or gravity feed, ensuring efficient performance and low pressure drop. This combination provides better accuracy over a wide range of flow compared to other commercially produced PD meters.
The simplicity in design and high-quality manufacturing make LC meters reliable and cost-effective. Multiple installation configurations offer greater mounting versatility, often allowing direct replacement of existing meters with minimal disruption.
Image: Diagram illustrating the LC metering element, showing the measuring chamber, O-ring seal, rotor set, bearing plate, timing gear set, and end cover.
The LC Metering Element provides:
- Custody transfer accuracy
- Performance with a wide range of liquids (low to high viscosity)
- Minimized inaccuracies due to clearance changes and wear
- Equal accuracy in both forward and reverse flow directions
- Operation without axial thrust on rotor bearings for longer life
- Adaptability to multiple installation positions
- Weights and Measures approvals worldwide
Specifications:
- Linearity (over 10:1 range): Capable of ±0.10% (electronic registration), ±0.22% (mechanical registration)
- Repeatability: Capable of 0.02%
Applications
LC meters are used across various industries:
Truck Metering
- Refined fuels
- LPG
- Aviation fuel
- Alternative Fuels
- Lube oils
- Agricultural chemicals
Bulk Plant/Terminal Metering
- Crude petroleum products
- Refined petroleum products and LPG
- Alternative Fuels
- Industrial chemicals/solvents
- Marine fuel/bunker oil
- Hot Asphalt/Asphalt Emulsions
Dispenser Metering
- LPG and diesel fuel
Industrial Process Metering
- Liquid sweeteners/corn syrup
- Paints and coatings
- Pulp and paper
- Pharmaceuticals
- Printing inks
- Concrete add mixtures
- Industrial liquids
Meter Types
Truck Meters
M and MA Series truck meters are designed for custody transfer applications requiring Weights and Measures-approved accuracy. They are known for their time-proven performance and value. Accessories include air eliminators, strainers, valves, and mechanical or electronic registers and printers.
Typical applications include fuel delivery to homes, service stations, LPG delivery, and aviation refueling. They are also used for anhydrous ammonia and other farm-related products.
Image: M-7 with electronic registration for refined fuels; M-30 with electronic registration for aviation fuel; M-25 with mechanical counter and printer; MA-7 with electronic registration for LPG.
Bulk Plant and Loading Terminal Meters
Larger M and MS Series meters are ideal for bulk measurement during loading and unloading of tanks, transports, railcars, ships, and barges. The MS Series features a spherical steel case for high-pressure applications (up to 1,440 PSI). Skid systems are available, fully piped and ready for installation.
Image: MS meter with electronic registration; Turbine meter with IT400; MSA meter skid with Toptech SMP controller.
LPG and Diesel Fuel Dispenser Meters
Liquid Controls offers meters for high-speed diesel fuel dispensers and LPG autogas dispensers. The MA-4 meter is specifically designed for LPG autogas dispensers, available in single or dual configurations, featuring efficient design and optional electronic temperature-volume compensation.
Image: MA-4 LPG dispenser meter, single; MA-4 LPG dispenser meter, dual.
Industrial/Process Meters
PD meters in aluminum, stainless steel, brass, and cast iron provide accuracy for batch processing, flow rate control, blending, and custody transfer of various liquids. They can be supplied with mechanical or electronic registers and are compatible with LC POD electronic pulsers and LectroCount systems. Popular applications include the food industry (sweeteners, vegetable oils) and industrial markets (solvents, acids, caustics, water).
Image: Stainless steel M-7, Class 8 meter with POD pulser.
Specifications
LC meters meet NTEP (NIST Handbook 44), International Weights and Measures, and U.S. Military specifications.
Accuracy/Performance
- Repeatability: Capable of 0.02% or better at any flow rate over the entire range.
- Linearity:
- Over 5:1 range: Mech. registration ±0.125%, Elect. registration ±0.10%
- Over 10:1 range: Mech. registration ±0.22%, Elect. registration ±0.10%
- Over 40:1 range: Mech. registration ±0.5%, Elect. registration ±0.15%
- Temperature range: -40°F to 160°F (-40°C to 71°C). Consult factory for higher temperature applications.
Construction
- Meter housing: M Series: aluminum, brass, cast-iron, stainless-steel. MS Series: steel case or stainless steel.
- Meter element and rotors: Cast aluminum (other metallurgies available).
- Internal components: Aluminum, Ni-Resist, stainless steel, iron.
- Seal materials: Buna-N, Viton®, PTFE®.
- Bearings: Carbon, PTFE®, Ni-Resist.
LC Meter Selection (by Flow Rate - NIST Standard)
The following table details LC meter selection based on flow rate, including maximum non-shock working pressure, flange size, and typical construction/application classes.
| Maximum Nominal Flow Rate (GPM) | Flange Size | Maximum Non-Shock Working Pressure | Construction/Application Classes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 1" | 150 PSI | 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 10, 14, 16, 30 |
| 60 | 1½", 2" opt. | 150 PSI | 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 20, 27, 37 |
| 100 | 2", 1½" opt. | 150 PSI | 1, 2, 7, 10, 14, 16, 37 |
| 150 | 2" | 150 PSI | 1, 2 |
| 200 | 3" | 150 PSI | 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 14, 15, 16 |
| 301 | 3" | 150 PSI | 1, 2, 8, 10, 14, 16 |
| 348 | 4", 3" opt. | 150 PSI | 1, 2 |
| 350 | 3", 4" opt. | 150 PSI | 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 14, 15, 16, 27, 37, 47 |
| 450 | 4", 3" opt. | 150 PSI | 1, 2, 8, 10, 14, 16 |
| 600 | 4", 6" opt. | 150 PSI | 1, 2, 3, 14, 15 |
| 700 | 4" | 150 PSI | 1, 2, 10, 14 |
| 800 | 6", 4" opt. | 150 PSI | 2 |
| 1,000 | 6" or 8" | 150 PSI | 1, 2, 8, 10, 14 |
Note: Construction/application classes are detailed on page 9.
Meter Registration Equipment
Liquid Controls offers a choice of Weights and Measures-approved mechanical or electronic registration, ticket printing, and control systems for truck-mounted or fixed-site applications.
Electronic Registration
The LectroCount™ family of electronic registers provides high accuracy and enhanced functions including automated data collection, on-site ticket generation, meter linearization, electronic temperature volume compensation, and real-time communication capabilities. LectroCount registers are NEMA 4X, UL Class I listed and Weights and Measures approved. The LectroCount Data Management System (DMS) allows configuration of tax categories, calculations, discounts, and more.
Image: LectroCount electronic registers; LectroCount Data Management System (DMS); Printer.
Mechanical Registration
Mechanical registers are suitable for applications without electrical power. Options include:
- Mechanical counter with ticket printer: Provides 5-digit resettable and 8-digit non-resettable totalizers with transaction printing.
- Mechanical preset counter: For single-stage or two-stage valve closure, setting a predetermined volume.
- Counter-mounted pulser: Supplies an electrical signal to remote totalizers, batch controllers, etc.
- Mechanical rate-of-flow indicator: Direct-reading dial for instantaneous flow rate indication.
- Mechanical temperature volume compensator: Uses a fluid-filled system to automatically correct readings for temperature-induced volume changes.
Image: Pulse output device; Mechanical counter with ticket printer; Mechanical preset counter; Counter-mounted pulser; Mechanical rate-of-flow indicator; Mechanical temperature volume compensator.
Accessories
Air/Vapor Eliminators and Strainers
Liquid Controls provides precision-engineered accessories like strainers, air and vapor eliminators, and valves to ensure accurate and trouble-free system performance. These prevent inaccuracies caused by air, vapor, rust, scale, or foreign materials.
- Air/Vapor Eliminators: Mechanical (float assembly, reed strips) and optical (optical sensing, no moving parts) types are available. They are installed on the meter inlet to maintain high-accuracy measurement.
- Strainers: Recommended for application on the meter inlet to protect against damage from foreign particles. Various metallurgies (aluminum, cast iron, brass, stainless steel) and flange sizes are offered. High capacity strainers/air eliminators are available for custody transfer applications.
Image: Air/vapor eliminator; Strainer housing; Stainless steel body; Steel body; High pressure aluminum body; Cast iron body; Optical vapor eliminator aluminum body; Bulk plant air eliminators; Aluminum body strainer; Cast iron or stainless steel body strainer; Steel body for bulk plant systems; High-capacity air eliminator; Strainer basket.
Valves
Liquid Controls valves are designed for a wide range of applications, flow rates, and minimum head loss, ensuring smooth, accurate, and controlled operation with time-tested reliability.
- V- and VS-Series Piston Valves: Mechanically actuated, available in 2"-4" sizes, for tight shutoff and smooth operation.
- E-7 Solenoid Operated Control Valve: With flow switch, designed for LectroCount registers, offering single or two-stage closure.
- Differential Valve for LPG and Anhydrous Ammonia: Stops liquid flow when vapor is present, maintaining pressure.
- Solenoid Operated Control Valves: For refined petroleum products and LPG (A-2840, A-2843, A-2858-11).
- Air Activated Differential Check Valves (K-Series): Stop liquid flow when air is present.
- Back Check Valves: Soft-seat, prevent reverse flow and counter advancement.
- Spring-Loaded Check Valves: Metal-to-metal seat, maintain back pressure.
- 500 Series Differential Valve: For MS, MSA, and MSAA meters.
Image: V- and VS-Series piston valves; E-7 solenoid operated control valve; Differential valve for LPG and anhydrous ammonia; Solenoid operated control valve; K-Series air-activated differential check valves; Back check valves; Spring-loaded check valves; 500 Series differential valve.
Fittings, Mountings, and Adapters
LC meters are designed for installation in various fixed or mobile applications. Available fittings include:
- Flanges: 1½"-4" sizes, various materials, NPT/BSPT threads available.
- Elbows: For M-5 and M-7 meters to increase mounting flexibility.
- Victaulic Connections: For aviation refueling applications.
- Hot Oil/Steam Jacket: For MS Series meters to maintain product temperature.
- Thermowell: For temperature sensing.
- Swivel: For mechanical registers, permits 360° rotation.
- Register Stack Adapter and Extension: For easier reading and high-temperature applications.
- Gear Plate: Converts meter rotary shaft output to engineered units.
Image: Flanges; Elbows; Victaulic connections; Hot oil/steam jacket; Thermowell assembly; Swivel; Register stack adapter and extension; Gear plate.
Ordering Information
The model number coding system provides details on meter type, case material, working pressure, and meter size. Standard accessory configurations (A, C, I, K) are available. Mounting arrangements are illustrated, with a note that air/vapor eliminators must be mounted vertically.
Diagrams: Illustrations of mounting arrangements.
The Liquid Controls Group
The Liquid Controls Group (LCG), part of the IDEX Corporation, provides custody transfer solutions for high-value fluids and gases. Formed in 2001 by uniting Corken, Liquid Controls, and Sampi, LCG has expanded to include six industry-leading brands. The group has a strong global presence with seven business units and over 500 distributors worldwide. LCG is committed to innovation and customer satisfaction.
