Which type of flow meter is used to measure the speed of a fluid?

The type of flow meter specifically designed to measure the speed of a fluid is the velocity flow meter. This device operates on the principle of measuring the velocity of the fluid as it passes through the meter and translating that velocity into a flow rate. By directly calculating how quickly the fluid moves, the velocity flow meter provides valuable information for applications where understanding the speed of the fluid is critical, such as in process control and optimization.

In contrast, mass flow meters measure the mass flow rate of a fluid, which can be influenced by factors such as temperature and density, rather than solely focusing on speed. Volumetric flow meters measure the volume of fluid that passes through a point over time, which does not directly equate to speed but rather the amount of fluid. Pressure flow meters typically measure pressure differences rather than directly measuring flow speed or rate. Each of these alternatives serves different purposes, which reinforces why the velocity flow meter is the appropriate choice for measuring the speed of a fluid.