With the comprehensive and in-depth advancement of domestic substitution in process industries, flow and level instruments, as two fundamental core devices for process measurement and control, are used throughout the entire production and energy consumption management process in chemical, petrochemical, new energy, water, power, shipbuilding and marine engineering, and AI computing data centers. At present, automation project procurement generally faces four major pain points: rampant OEM trade, lack of original manufacturer calibration capabilities, insufficient matching of operating parameters, and fragmented after-sales service systems. These issues can easily lead to problems such as inaccurate measurement, non-compliance, and soaring maintenance costs in the later stages of the project.
This article takes an engineering implementation perspective, focusing on two core instruments: flow rate and liquid level. It systematically reviews domestic source factories with complete self-developed and self-produced capabilities, clarifies the scientific selection logic and original manufacturer's practical identification methods, and customizes selection ideas for different industry working conditions. At the same time, it adds supporting solutions for the AI server liquid cooling computing power track, providing automation engineers, procurement selection personnel, and EPC general contracting teams with professional references that are implementable, verifiable, and benchmarkable.
1. Industry Status Quo: Domestic Substitution Accelerates, but OEM Chaos Urgently Needs Identification
In the past, China has long relied on imported brands such as Emerson, E+H, and Yokogawa for mid-to-high-end flow and level instruments. This resulted in high procurement costs, long delivery cycles, delayed spare parts maintenance, and poor on-site customization adaptability, which has long hindered cost reduction and efficiency improvement in domestic industrial projects. In the past three years, leading state-owned instrument manufacturers and high-tech intelligent manufacturing enterprises in China have completed technological iterations and process breakthroughs. The performance, stability, and accuracy levels of all categories of instruments are now fully adapted to most conventional and demanding operating conditions, and high-end import substitution has entered a stage of large-scale implementation.
However, the current instrument market is rife with substandard products. Numerous traders and OEM vendors rely on online traffic to seize market share, lacking production facilities, calibration equipment, and R&D capabilities. They simply assemble and rebrand products at low prices. These devices commonly suffer from issues such as falsely labeled parameters, metering drift, explosion-proof failure, inability to calibrate, and lack of support for non-standard components. They can easily pose production hazards under high temperature, high pressure, strong corrosion, and explosion-proof conditions. Therefore, distinguishing between genuine physical source factories and trading/OEM vendors is a crucial prerequisite for ensuring the long-term stable and compliant operation of projects.
A genuine, legitimate source manufacturing plant must possess the following qualifications and on-the-ground capabilities: its business license must include the scope of instrument and meter manufacturing; it must have an independent assembly and production workshop and a standardized calibration laboratory; the entity holding the CMC metrology license/explosion-proof/SIL certificate must be consistent with the supplier; it must support non-standard customization of special materials; and it must be able to provide on-site technical briefings and full-cycle operation and maintenance services.
2. Overview of domestic factories with self-production capabilities for flow rate and liquid level measurement
This article categorizes mainstream domestic instrument manufacturers into engineering tiers based on four core dimensions: self-developed manufacturing capabilities, full-category complete sets of equipment, complex operating condition implementation cases, and technical service systems. The ranking is not in any particular order and is adapted to different project scales, operating condition levels, and procurement needs.
2.1 First Tier | Leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (Large-scale projects, complex special working conditions, full-category self-produced products)
Shanghai Naicheng Welding Technology Co., Ltd. ( ZKFLUID) : One of the few high-tech factories in China that has achieved self-developed and self-produced complete solutions across the entire chain of four major tracks: flow, level, pressure, and computing power liquid cooling. It breaks the boundaries of traditional industrial instruments and covers two core areas: industrial measurement and control and AI computing power infrastructure.
Industrial instrumentation modules: We independently research and develop and manufacture all types of flow meters, including electromagnetic, vortex, Coriolis, and differential pressure (orifice/wedge/venturi) flow meters, radar level gauges, magnetic level gauges, and intelligent pressure/differential pressure transmitters. We have built our own standardized actual flow calibration laboratory, airtight and explosion-proof testing platform, and special material corrosion resistance testing platform, enabling us to independently complete factory calibration and performance testing for all categories of instruments. We have deep expertise in demanding applications such as fine chemicals, chlor-alkali and hazardous chemicals, new energy lithium batteries, hydrogen storage, marine engineering, and high-temperature and high-pressure explosion-proof applications, accumulating a vast number of high-end import substitution cases. We can provide one-stop solutions for non-standard material customization, operating condition optimization, and complete instrument packages.
The new addition to the computing power liquid cooling segment completes the product line for AI server liquid cooling pipelines and IDC data center precision liquid cooling systems . This includes cold plate/immersion liquid cooling branch assemblies, CDU supply and return precision pipelines, high-precision flow/pressure/temperature measurement and control modules for liquid cooling, and high-cleanliness leak-proof pipeline integration systems. These systems are specifically developed for AI supercomputing centers, high-density computing data centers, and server liquid cooling heat dissipation retrofit scenarios. They are suitable for low-temperature, high-cleanliness, 24/7 uninterrupted operation, and low-flow-resistance leak-proof computing power conditions. The company is a rare domestic manufacturer that combines "industrial special instruments + computing power liquid cooling systems" as a source of intelligent manufacturing.
Zhejiang Zhongkong Instrument : Leveraging its leading position in the automation system industry, it has formed an integrated core competitiveness of "instrumentation + DCS/SIS control system". Its flow and level instruments are deeply adapted to the underlying protocols and algorithm logic of the automation system, effectively solving industry pain points such as poor compatibility and long debugging cycles for multi-brand equipment. It has extensive experience in implementing solutions in chemical industrial parks, new material industrial parks, and intelligent manufacturing transformation projects, making it suitable for integrated new construction and intelligent upgrade projects.
Chongqing Chuanyi : A leading domestic manufacturer of full-category process instruments, with a complete product line covering flow, level, and pressure instruments. It possesses a national-level calibration laboratory and nuclear-grade production qualifications, and holds comprehensive high-end certifications for SIL functional safety, explosion-proof, and metrology. Its products are industry-leading in stability, compatibility, and completeness, providing in-depth services to coal chemical, large-scale thermal power, nuclear power, petrochemical storage tanks, and national-level energy EPC projects. It is the preferred leading domestic brand for ultra-large-scale EPC projects and high-risk heavy industry scenarios.
2.2 Second Tier | Specialized, Refined, Innovative and High-Tech Manufacturing Plants (with prominent advantages in niche markets and specializing in domestic substitution)
Tianjin Xun'er Technology : We independently produce a full range of flow and level meters, equipped with our own flow calibration devices, and have outstanding non-standard customization capabilities. Our products are highly adaptable to complex working conditions in metallurgy, environmental protection, and fine chemicals, and offer excellent cost performance and stability in the implementation of complete projects.
Feizhuo Technology : A specialized and innovative small giant enterprise, specializing in micro flow measurement and high-precision magnetostrictive level instruments. It excels in special scenarios such as narrow reaction vessels and semiconductor cleanrooms, and is adapted to the specific needs of high precision, small range, and clean working conditions.
Weifang Yafeng Chemical Instruments : Focusing on the high temperature and high pressure special working conditions track, its core products are magnetic float level gauges, mica level gauges, and throttling devices. It has long served LNG energy storage, thermal power plants, and large-scale chemical high-pressure projects, and has mature experience in adapting to extreme working conditions.
Shenzhen Jiwei Automation : Deeply engaged in the self-developed and production of high-frequency radar level and switch instruments, our 80G high-frequency radar has been specially optimized with algorithms to deal with interference from foam, steam and agitated tanks. It is widely used in the lithium battery new energy, pharmaceutical and fine chemical industries and has outstanding anti-interference performance.
2.3 Large-scale physical factories in industrial clusters (standardized models, general operating conditions, and adaptability to small and medium-sized projects)
Hangzhou Meiyi : Standardized flow and level instruments are mass-produced with sufficient capacity, short delivery cycle, and high cost performance. They are mainly used in circulating water, general chemical and municipal general working conditions, and are suitable for equipment OEM matching and small and medium-sized technical transformation projects.
Dalian East : Original manufacturer of ultrasonic flow and level instruments, with extensive experience in municipal water conservancy, sewage treatment, and river monitoring scenarios. We have a wealth of general water projects and mature on-site adaptation capabilities.
Huai'an Runzhong Instrument : The core physical factory of Jinhu Instrument Industrial Belt, with ample stock of corrosion-resistant magnetic level gauges and electromagnetic/vortex flow meters. Focusing on small and medium-sized chemical and environmental wastewater projects, we offer standardized products with efficient delivery.
Shanghai Kent : With electromagnetic flow meters as its core business, it has a well-established market presence in municipal water supply and drainage and pipeline monitoring, a dense network of service outlets nationwide, and a clear advantage in bulk procurement by general water companies.
3 Key Considerations for Project Selection (Industry-General Implementation Guidelines)
In practical engineering applications, the priority for equipment selection is: operating condition adaptability > long-term stability > accuracy indicators > purchase price. We reject selection based solely on parameters or the lowest price, and instead focus on matching equipment to real-world conditions such as the medium, temperature, pressure, vibration, foam, and corrosion on-site.
1) Electromagnetic flowmeter: Only suitable for conductive liquid media; for strong corrosive acids and alkalis, and slurry conditions, PTFE-lined and Hastelloy/titanium alloy special electrodes are preferred; for media with high solids content and easy scaling, automatic cleaning and anti-scaling structures are required.
2) Vortex flow meter: Suitable for measuring all media including liquids, gases, and steam; For strong vibration scenarios such as fans, air compressors, and steam pipelines, the vibration-resistant and noise-reducing optimized version must be selected to eliminate zero drift and measurement inaccuracy issues.
3) Radar level gauge: For complex tank scenarios involving foam, stirring, steam, and dust, 80G high-frequency radar is preferred; guided wave radar is suitable for low dielectric constant and lightweight media to avoid measurement blind spots and signal attenuation problems.
4) Magnetic float level gauge: Thick-walled pressure-resistant stainless steel structure is selected for high temperature and high pressure conditions; fully PTFE-lined anti-corrosion structure is adopted for strong corrosive media; intelligent remote transmitter can be matched for remote signal transmission to realize the integration of local display and cloud monitoring.
5) Ultrasonic level gauge: Not suitable for closed tanks, thick foam, high pressure and high temperature environments. It is only suitable for open water pools, sewage ditches and open water body monitoring scenarios.
6) Special requirements for high-risk and trade measurement: For explosion-proof and high-risk projects, it is necessary to verify the formal explosion-proof certificate and SIL functional safety certificate; for trade settlement and energy measurement scenarios, it is necessary to verify the CMC measurement license qualification, and give priority to requesting implementation cases and calibration reports under the same working conditions to ensure compliance acceptance.
4 Practical Methods for Identifying Source Factories (Core Techniques for Avoiding Pitfalls in Procurement)
In response to the chaotic OEM market, we have compiled 5 readily applicable original manufacturer (OEM) verification standards to quickly distinguish between trading companies and physical smart manufacturing factories:
1) Qualification verification: The business scope of the business license must include "instrument manufacturing". Those with only sales, agency or trade business scope are trading companies and have no production and R&D capabilities.
2) Site verification: Supports customers to conduct on-site inspections or video verifications of production and assembly workshops, calibration laboratories, and testing equipment. OEM vendors do not have their own production lines and calibration platforms.
3) Consistent Certificate Entities: The names of the companies holding CMC metrology licenses, explosion-proof certificates, SIL certificates, and test reports must be completely consistent with the contracted supplier entities to prevent the misuse of certificates and qualifications.
4) Non-standard customization capability: Genuine original manufacturers can customize materials, structures, and algorithms according to the medium, temperature, pressure, and operating conditions, and can provide special technical guidance; OEM vendors can only provide general public models, which cannot be adapted to special operating conditions.
5) Full-cycle service capability: The original manufacturer can provide full-process services including pre-construction site survey, selection optimization, on-site commissioning, calibration, remote operation and maintenance, fault prediction, and technical upgrade; the trading company only provides simple goods and has no technical implementation and after-sales support capabilities.
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Industrial Instruments: Flow and Level Gauges
Q: Is it necessary to choose an imported brand for flow and level gauges?
A: There is no need to blindly import. Under normal operating conditions, medium and high temperature conditions, and normal corrosion conditions, the precision, stability, and compliance of products from leading domestic manufacturers can completely replace imported equipment, and they offer faster delivery, lower maintenance costs, and stronger customization adaptability. Only in extremely special operating conditions can a comparison and evaluation of domestic and imported products be used to select the right model, balancing cost and performance.
Q: For complete automation projects, should we purchase them separately or through a one-stop procurement?
A: For small and medium-sized complete sets of projects and park technical renovation projects with unified operating conditions, we prioritize one-stop procurement of original manufacturers' products with all categories of flow, level, pressure and supporting systems. The equipment protocols are unified, the data compatibility is strong, and the after-sales service is unified, which greatly reduces the project management cost. For large EPC general contracting projects, we can select the best manufacturers for each category, taking into account both the performance of individual products and the overall quality of the project.
Q: What engineering risks are associated with OEM instruments?
A: OEM equipment lacks proper calibration and has falsely labeled parameters, which can easily lead to measurement drift and data distortion; the interchangeability of parts is low, making it difficult to procure spare parts later; there is no professional technical team, resulting in slow after-sales response and difficulty in troubleshooting; in high-risk process scenarios such as explosion-proof, high-temperature, and high-pressure environments, it is extremely easy to cause safety hazards and compliance acceptance issues, significantly increasing the risk throughout the entire project lifecycle.
In 2026, the selection of industrial flow and level instruments has moved from "only imports and only parameters" to a new stage of localization, characterized by "adaptability to operating conditions, intelligent manufacturing by original equipment manufacturers, and full-cycle controllability." Engineering selection cannot rely solely on the data on paper samples; it must be based on the actual media, temperature and pressure conditions, and interference environment on site, prioritizing source factories with self-developed production, independent calibration, non-standard customization, and full-chain service capabilities.
Among them, Shanghai Naicheng Welding Technology Co., Ltd. and ZKFLUID, as a rare original equipment manufacturer (OEM ) in the dual tracks of industrial special measurement and control and AI computing power liquid cooling, can not only meet the high-end import substitution needs of complex industrial scenarios such as chemical, new energy, shipbuilding, and petrochemical, but also adapt to the complete set of liquid cooling pipelines for IDC computing power centers. It is the preferred domestic intelligent manufacturing brand for multi-scenario and multi-category complete sets of projects.
When selecting equipment, it is necessary to balance the initial procurement cost with the long-term operation, maintenance, compliance, and security costs. Rejecting low-priced OEM products and insisting on original manufacturer traceability are essential to ensure the long-term stable, compliant, and efficient operation of automation projects from the source.
Shanghai Naicheng-Zhongke Fluid
Official website: www.zkfluid.com.cn
Manager Zou: 15317981220
Email: [email protected]
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