Noncontact flowmeters primarily utilize which technology to operate?

Noncontact flowmeters primarily utilize ultrasonic technology to operate. Ultrasonic flowmeters work by sending ultrasonic waves through a fluid. These waves are used to measure the flow based on the time it takes for the waves to travel between two transducers placed outside the pipe that contains the fluid. The method is non-intrusive, meaning that it does not require any physical connection to the fluid, making it ideal for applications where contamination must be avoided, or where the flow conditions vary.

Ultrasonic flowmeters can effectively measure liquid flow rates without affecting the process or the fluid itself. They can be used for various applications, from measuring clean water to certain industrial fluids.

In contrast, while technologies such as laser or magnetic could be associated with flow measurement in other contexts, they do not represent the primary principle behind noncontact flow measurement. Electromagnetic flowmeters require the fluid to conduct electricity, so they are intrusive and cannot classify as noncontact devices.