ABB BC36164-12 Glass Tube Variable-Area Flowmeter

Overview

ABB BC36164-12 is a genuine ABB glass tube variable-area flowmeter (rotameter), configured as model R/2-R½″ OT for gas service, with a calibrated range of 20–250 NL/min and 316 stainless steel wetted fitting construction. Descended from the legacy Fischer & Porter glass tube purge meter line now manufactured by ABB, the ABB BC36164-12 provides direct local visual indication of low gas flow rates without requiring electrical power, making it a dependable, field-proven instrument for purge, sample and low-flow gas monitoring duties across process plants.

Working closely with plant engineers in the region, Seven Star LLC proudly supplies genuine ABB BC36164-12 glass tube flowmeters to industrial plants throughout Oman and the GCC. Every unit is sourced through ABB’s trusted supply channel, ensuring an authentic calibrated float and tube pairing, correct 316SS end fittings, and full compatibility with existing ABB and Fischer & Porter purge meter installations already deployed across regional oil and gas, petrochemical and utility facilities.

Measurement Principle

The ABB BC36164-12 measures flow using the classic variable-area principle. Gas enters at the base of a tapered borosilicate glass tube and lifts a precision float upward until the annular area between the float and the tapered tube wall reaches equilibrium with the flow force acting on the float. Because the tube diameter increases with height, the float settles at a vertical position directly proportional to the volumetric flow rate, which is then read directly against a printed scale etched onto or mounted alongside the glass tube.

This purely mechanical measurement approach requires no external power, signal conditioning or calibration electronics, giving the ABB BC36164-12 outstanding reliability in remote or hazardous locations where powered instrumentation is impractical. With no moving parts beyond the float itself, the meter introduces negligible pressure drop into the gas line, resists contamination-related drift, and delivers consistent, repeatable readings across its calibrated 20–250 NL/min range for air and similar gas services.

Engineering Design of the ABB BC36164-12

The instrument is built around a precision-drawn borosilicate glass metering tube housed within a protective frame, with 1/2 inch NPT inlet and outlet connections manufactured from 316 stainless steel for corrosion resistance in industrial gas service. The float material and tube taper are matched at the factory to deliver the specified 20–250 NL/min calibrated range, and the vertical in-line mounting orientation ensures accurate, repeatable float positioning under gravity.

End connections are designed for straightforward in-line installation into existing 1/2 inch gas service piping without requiring additional adapters, and the exposed glass tube and printed scale allow operators to take an instantaneous visual flow reading without auxiliary readout equipment. Optional accessories available across the ABB glass tube meter range include inline needle valves, protective shields and low-flow alarm switches for integration into automated monitoring schemes.

Across the wider ABB Purgemaster glass tube family from which the BC36164-12 is drawn, published accuracy varies with scale length – shorter 1-1/2 inch and 3 inch scales are rated at 10% of full scale standard (4% optional), while longer 5 inch and 10 inch scales tighten to 2% standard (1% optional) – and rangeability of 10:1 or better is achieved by pairing the calibrated float material to the specific gas density and flow range required. Floats across the family are available in black glass, sapphire, 316 stainless steel, carbaloy or tantalum depending on the capacity point, and the ambient operating range for the glass tube assembly spans 0°C to 60°C, with maximum fluid temperature governed by the end fitting material selected. The ABB BC36164-12 can also be factory-fitted with an inline differential pressure regulator to hold a constant flow rate despite upstream supply pressure fluctuation, and with a bistable minimum, maximum or dual alarm switch package for tie-in to a plant annunciator or DCS.

Key Features

The ABB BC36164-12 glass tube flowmeter is engineered around the following capabilities:

• Calibrated 20–250 NL/min flow range purpose-built for low-flow air and gas service applications.
• 316 stainless steel wetted end fittings provide corrosion resistance in demanding industrial gas environments.
• Fully mechanical variable-area measurement principle requires no electrical power or signal conditioning.
• Direct visual scale readout enables instant local flow verification without auxiliary display equipment.
• 1/2 inch NPT inlet and outlet connections simplify retrofit into existing gas service piping.
• Negligible pressure drop preserves upstream process pressure across the metered gas line.
• Field-proven Fischer & Porter / ABB glass tube design with decades of documented reliability.
• Compatible with optional needle valves, shields and alarm switches for expanded monitoring functionality.
• Float material options across the ABB glass tube range – including sapphire, stainless steel, carbaloy and tantalum – support calibration to a wide span of gas densities and flow capacities.

Industrial Applications

The ABB BC36164-12 is widely deployed for purge gas monitoring on analyzer enclosures, sample conditioning systems, and low-flow air or nitrogen service across refineries, gas processing plants and petrochemical complexes. In Oman’s upstream and midstream oil and gas operations, as well as utility and desalination plants across Muscat, Sohar and Salalah, the BC36164-12 provides plant technicians with a simple, unpowered method of confirming purge and instrument air flows are within specification during routine rounds and commissioning checks.

With fast quotation turnaround and technical support, Seven Star LLC supplies BC36164-12 flowmeters to EPC contractors, instrumentation maintenance teams and OEM skid builders throughout the region, with lead time confirmed at quotation. Facilities across Sohar’s industrial zone and Salalah’s free trade zone depend on Seven Star LLC for genuine ABB glass tube instrumentation with confirmed calibration and traceable sourcing.

Technical Specifications

Request a Quote for ABB BC36164-12 Glass Tube Variable-Area Flowmeter

Seven Star LLC invites facility engineers and procurement teams across Oman and the GCC to submit a formal RFQ for the ABB BC36164-12 glass tube flowmeter. With engineering support in Muscat, we supply on request with lead time confirmed at quotation, provide technical datasheets on request, and offer direct access to our instrumentation division for sizing and cross-reference support.

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