The rotameter is an industrial flowmeter used to measure the flowrate of liquids and gases. The rotameter consists of a tube and float. The float response to flowrate changes is linear, and a 10-to-1 flow range or turndown is standard. In the case of Shiva Aqua Care rotameters, far greater flexability is possible through the use of correlation equations. The rotameter is popular because it has a linear scale, a relatively long measurement range, and low pressure drop. It is simple to install and maintain. Rotameter are named after ROTA, one of the European inventors of this flow principle in the beginning of the century. ROTA invented the rotating float, which is self-guiding and has less friction in the pipe so that a more precise measurement is possible. The basic rotameter is the glass tube indicating-type. The tube is precision formed of borosilicate glass, and the float is precisely machined from metal, glass or plastic. The metal float is usually made of stainless steel to provide corrosion resistance. The float has a sharp metering edge where the reading is observed by means of a scale mounted alongside the tube. End fittings and connections of various materials and styles are available. The important elements are the tube and float, often called the tube-and-float combination, because it is this portion of the rotameter which provides the measurement. In fact, similar glass tube and stainless steel float combinations are generally available, regardless of the type of case or end fittings the application can demand, so as best to meet customer requirements. The scale of the rotameter can be calibrated for direct reading of air or water, or it may have a scale to read a percent of range or an arbitrary scale to be used with conversion equations or charts. Safety-shielded glass tube rotameters are in general use throughout industry for measuring both liquids and gases. They provide flow capacities to about 60 GPM, and are manufactured with end fittings of metal or plastic to meet the chemical characteristics of the fluid being metered. The only fluids for which these meters are not suited are those which attack glass metering tubes, such as water over 90°C (194°F), with its high pH which softens glass; wet steam, which has the same effect; caustic soda, which dissolves glass; and hydrofluoric acid, which etches glass. The primary limitations of general purpose rotameters are the pressure and temperature limits of the glass metering tube. Small, 6 mm (1/4") tubes are suitable for working pressures up to 500 psig, but the operating pressure for a large 51 mm (2") tube may be as low as 100 psig. The practical temperature limit for glass rotameters is 204°C (400°F), although operation at such high temperatures substantially reduces the operating pressure of the meter. In general, there is a linear relationship between the operating temperature and pressure.