We are expanding our compressed air system here at work and one of the things I want to add on while we do it is some ways to get data about the system. The main part of this would be a flow sensor so we can see exactly how much air we are actually consuming, as well as how much air is being leaked when machines are off. I am looking at the FTS100-1001 flow sensor, and it seems to meet all the specs I need. Rated for more pressure than we will have, higher temperatures than it will see, higher flow rates than it should ever need to read.

However, I am unsure if it would mount the way I would be wanting. Many areas mention mounting in a duct, and installation instructions mention pipe but show what looks to be very large diameter pipes, and mounting to the side of the pipe so that air flow moves across the proper from side to side.

Compressed air systems are typically not very large diameter unless it is a very large facility, and our new main line will be a 1 1/2" pipe, upgrading from a 1" we have now. The smallest sensor probe of these models sold is a 100mm/4" probe length. There is no way to mount in the manner shown by the installation manual:

https://cdn.automationdirect.com/static/manuals/flowsensors/ftsx00-1001.pdf#page=15

So I would like to see about mounting this so the flow moves "up" the probe instead of "across" the probe. See crappy illustration here:

Would this work properly? Or will the sensor not read the airflow correctly due to the different way the compressed air would be moving across the probe?