Next-Generation Vortex Flow Measurement

The Yokogawa VY Series is the latest generation of Yokogawa vortex flowmeters, inheriting the proven reliability and field experience of the YEWFLO Series while adding enhanced diagnostic and remote maintenance capabilities.

The series is designed to provide stable flow measurement while helping plants move from conventional maintenance toward condition-based maintenance. Device condition information can support more planned maintenance and help reduce unnecessary downtime.

Stable Measurement Even in High-Vibration Environments

One of the important design goals of the VY Series is stable measurement under challenging installation conditions.

Yokogawa combines its vortex shedder and sensing technology with proprietary digital signal processing designed to distinguish the actual vortex signal from piping vibration and other disturbances. This helps maintain stable measurement in environments where mechanical vibration could otherwise affect vortex flow measurement.

Measure Liquids, Gases and Steam

The VY Series can measure:

• Liquids
• Gases
• Saturated steam
• Superheated steam

It is particularly well suited to utility and process applications where vortex measurement provides a practical solution for steam, gas, and liquid flow.

The series should not be selected for multiphase flow or fluids that are sticky or highly corrosive.

A Vortex Flowmeter for Different Process Conditions

The VY Series is not limited to one standard sensor configuration. Yokogawa offers several versions so the flowmeter can be matched to the actual process conditions.

Available configurations include:

• General Type
• Built-in Temperature Sensor Type
• High-Temperature Type
• Cryogenic Type
• Reduced Bore Type
• High-Pressure Type
• Dual-Sensor Type

This makes selection based on process temperature, pressure, flow range, pipe size, vibration, and required measurement functions rather than simply choosing a standard vortex meter.

Built-in Temperature Sensor for Steam Measurement

For applications where temperature compensation is important, the VY Series can be equipped with a Pt1000 temperature sensor built into the vortex shedder bar.

This allows the flowmeter to measure process temperature close to the center of the pipe and use the temperature information for compensation calculations.

When combined with an external pressure input, the system can perform more advanced compensation calculations for steam and other applications.

Mass Flow and Energy Flow Calculation

Although a vortex flowmeter primarily measures volumetric flow, the VY Series can use additional process information to calculate mass flow and energy flow.

With the appropriate analog input or FOUNDATION Fieldbus configuration, external pressure and temperature information can be incorporated into the calculation.

For steam applications, built-in saturated and superheated steam tables support these compensation calculations.

High-Temperature and Cryogenic Measurement

The VY Series includes dedicated sensor configurations for extreme temperature applications.

The high-temperature version supports process temperatures up to 450 °C, while applicable built-in temperature sensor configurations support up to 400 °C.

For cryogenic applications, the dedicated cryogenic version can measure process temperatures down to -196 °C.

These options make the VY Series suitable for applications ranging from high-temperature steam to cryogenic process fluids.

High-Pressure Vortex Measurement

For high-pressure applications, Yokogawa offers a dedicated high-pressure version with an ASME Class 1500 flange pressure rating.

This configuration uses a reduced-bore design and is intended for applications where the pressure rating of a standard vortex flowmeter is not sufficient.

Reduced-Bore Type for Variable Flow Conditions

The reduced-bore version reduces the internal flow path by one or two pipe sizes.

This can be useful for applications with large seasonal or operating flow fluctuations, such as steam supply systems, where maintaining an appropriate flow velocity range is important for vortex measurement.

Dual-Sensor Design for High Reliability

The dual-sensor version uses two vortex sensing units connected in series.

This configuration is designed for applications where increased measurement reliability is important and is available with several shedder-bar configurations, including temperature-sensor, high-temperature, and cryogenic versions.

Self-Diagnostics and Remote Maintenance

The VY Series adds enhanced self-diagnostic and remote maintenance functions compared with previous generations.

These functions provide information about device and measurement conditions, supporting condition-based maintenance and helping maintenance teams identify potential issues before they lead to unexpected downtime.

The series also supports NAMUR NE21 and NE107 requirements for applicable configurations.

Compatibility with the YEWFLO Installation Footprint

For plants upgrading existing Yokogawa vortex flowmeters, the VY Series retains mechanical and functional compatibility with successive generations of the YEWFLO Series.

This allows VY Series meters to be installed in the same locations without additional piping work in applicable replacement situations.

Key Features

• Next-generation Yokogawa vortex flowmeter
• Successor to the proven YEWFLO Series
• Liquid, gas, saturated steam, and superheated steam measurement
• Stable measurement in high-vibration environments
• Advanced digital signal processing
• Self-diagnostic functions
• Remote maintenance support
• Condition-based maintenance capability
• HART 7, FOUNDATION Fieldbus, and Modbus RTU options
• 4–20 mA DC output
• Pulse and status output
• Analog input for advanced compensation calculations
• Built-in Pt1000 temperature sensor option
• High-temperature and cryogenic configurations
• Reduced-bore configuration
• ASME Class 1500 high-pressure configuration
• Dual-sensor configuration
• SIL2 configurations available
• IP66/IP67 protection
• Explosion-proof configurations available
• Wide range of wetted-part materials, including stainless steel, duplex stainless steel, and nickel alloys

Typical Applications

Steam Measurement

The VY Series is particularly suitable for saturated and superheated steam measurement. The built-in temperature sensor option and external pressure input can support compensated mass flow and energy flow calculations.

Gas Flow Measurement

Vortex measurement provides a practical solution for industrial gas flow applications where stable volumetric flow measurement and robust construction are required.

Liquid Flow Measurement

The general VY Series can measure a wide range of industrial liquids where the fluid is suitable for vortex measurement.

High-Temperature Processes

The high-temperature configuration supports process temperatures up to 450 °C, making it suitable for high-temperature steam and other demanding process applications.

Cryogenic Processes

The cryogenic configuration supports temperatures down to -196 °C and is intended for specialized low-temperature applications.

High-Pressure Lines

The high-pressure version provides an ASME Class 1500 pressure rating for applications requiring a higher pressure capability than the standard configuration.

Steam Distribution Systems

The reduced-bore configuration can be useful for steam lines with large flow fluctuations, helping maintain suitable measurement conditions across changing operating ranges.

FAQ

What is the Yokogawa VY Series?

The VY Series is Yokogawa's latest generation of vortex flowmeters and the successor to the digitalYEWFLO/YEWFLO generation. It combines vortex flow measurement with enhanced digital diagnostics and remote maintenance functions.

What fluids can the VY Series measure?

The VY Series can measure liquids, gases, saturated steam, and superheated steam. Multiphase flow and sticky or corrosive fluids are not recommended.

Is the VY Series suitable for steam measurement?

Yes. Steam is one of the key applications. The series can measure both saturated and superheated steam, and selected configurations can incorporate temperature and pressure information for compensated calculations.

Can the VY Series measure mass flow?

Yes. With the appropriate temperature and pressure inputs, the VY Series can calculate mass flow for liquids, gases, and steam. The built-in steam tables support saturated and superheated steam calculations.

Does the VY Series have a built-in temperature sensor?

Selected models do. The built-in temperature sensor version incorporates a Pt1000 sensor into the vortex shedder bar, allowing simultaneous process temperature measurement and compensation.

What is the accuracy of the VY Series?

For the general type, Yokogawa specifies ±0.75% of reading for liquids and ±1.0% of reading for gases and steam, subject to the applicable Reynolds number and flow velocity conditions. Other configurations can have different accuracy specifications.

What is the maximum process temperature?

The standard general configuration supports up to 250 °C. The high-temperature version extends this to 450 °C, while applicable built-in temperature sensor configurations support up to 400 °C.

Can the VY Series measure cryogenic fluids?

Yes. The dedicated cryogenic version supports process temperatures down to -196 °C.

What is the maximum pressure rating?

The standard VY configurations can reach ASME Class 900, while the dedicated high-pressure version is available with an ASME Class 1500 flange pressure rating.

Is the VY Series suitable for high-vibration installations?

Yes. Stable measurement in high-vibration environments is one of the specific requirements addressed by the VY Series. Yokogawa uses digital signal processing technology to reduce the influence of piping vibration on the vortex signal.

What is the difference between the VY Series and YEWFLO?

The VY Series is the newer generation that inherits the proven YEWFLO measurement technology while adding enhanced self-diagnostics, remote maintenance functions, and additional digital capabilities.

For existing YEWFLO installations, the VY Series also provides mechanical and functional compatibility in applicable replacement applications.

What is the reduced-bore VY Series used for?

The reduced-bore configuration is useful when the actual flow range is relatively low compared with the nominal pipe size. It reduces the internal flow path by one or two pipe sizes and can be particularly useful in steam supply systems with large flow fluctuations.

What is the high-pressure VY Series?

The high-pressure version is a reduced-bore vortex flowmeter with an ASME Class 1500 flange pressure rating. It is designed for applications where higher process pressure capability is required.

What is the dual-sensor VY Series?

The dual-sensor version uses two vortex sensing units connected in series. It is designed for applications where high measurement reliability is important and can be combined with temperature-sensor, high-temperature, or cryogenic shedder-bar configurations.

Does the VY Series support HART?

Yes. The VY Series supports HART 7 on applicable configurations. FOUNDATION Fieldbus and Modbus RTU are also available depending on the transmitter configuration.

Is the VY Series suitable for hazardous areas?

Yes. Yokogawa lists multiple explosion-protected configurations, including IECEx, ATEX, FM, FMc, Japan Ex, NEPSI, Korea Ex, and INMETRO options. The exact approval depends on the selected configuration.

Does the VY Series support SIL?

Yes. Yokogawa lists Functional Safety SIL2 among the applicable conformity standards. The exact safety configuration should be confirmed against the required application and ordering code.

What pipe sizes are available?

The general type covers connection sizes from 15 to 400 mm, depending on the connection style. Other versions have different size ranges, so the final selection should be based on the required flow range, pipe size, pressure, temperature, and process fluid.

Is the VY Series suitable for replacing an existing YEWFLO flowmeter?

In applicable installations, yes. Yokogawa states that the VY Series is mechanically and functionally compatible with successive generations of the YEWFLO Series, allowing replacement without additional piping work.