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VSL opens European Center for Flow Measurement in Rotterdam

National Metrology Institute VSL today opened its new European Center for Flow Measurement (ECFM) at the Rotterdam Maasvlakte. The new facility enables even more accurate calibration and testing of large industrial flow meters.

With the opening of the ECFM, VSL is fulfilling an international need. The testing and calibration of flow meters is becoming increasingly important and must be carried out with increasing accuracy. For example, because liquids are becoming more expensive or scarcer, such as clean and safe drinking water. Also, in the quest for more sustainable fuels, VSL sees increasing demand for new types of flow meters to measure these new fuels. The facility in Rotterdam offers even more opportunities for the development of these meters. This way, the new European Centre for Flow Measurement is also doing its bit for the energy transition.

Fabienne van Booma, Managing Director at VSL, opened the festive ceremony at the Maasvlakte in the presence of dozens of guests and invitees:

“Without scientific measurement standards, innovation is not possible. VSL’s realisation of the European Centre for Flow Measurement underlines the importance of further strengthening the innovative power of the Netherlands. Moreover, it reaffirms our leading position in metrology.”

Measurement challenges in the flow sector

The opening of the ECFM also marks the start of a multi-day event: the European Flow Measurement Workshop. During this three day event experts will delve deeper into the measurement challenges for the flow sector. This is an important topic, given that for many industries an accurate measurement process is essential for issues such as safety, quality control or billing. In the new facility, which has a six times larger flow rate than VSL’s existing facility in Dordrecht, modern technology now allows very accurate calibrations and testing with a wider range of flow meters.

With the new European Centre for Flow Measurement, VSL can continue to guarantee independent and traceable calibrations. The construction of the new European Center for Flow Measurement was made possible by a supplementary grant from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy.