Coriolis Meters

​Coriolis meters have a sine wave voltage applied to an electromagnetic drive which produces an oscillating motion of the tube. The amplitudes are related to the mass flow and the frequency is related to the product density. The reason that the output amplitude changes with flow may be explained by the Coriolis effect. The vibration of the tube gives a slight angular rotation about its center. As the fluid moves away from the center, there is a resultant Coriolis force which opposes the rotational motion. The flow movement toward the center produces a Coriolis force which aids the tube rotation. The resultant force produces the measured sine wave which is measured and converted to the mass flow reading.

A Coriolis flow meter directly and continuously measures mass flow (as opposed to measuring volumetric flow), a fluid parameter that is not temperature dependent. Therefore, the Coriolis meter does not require a correction for changes in fluid variables such as temperature, pressure, viscosity and density.

Coriolis flow meters are known for accuracy of measurement readings, which can approach 0.05% of mass flow. Despite being relatively expensive, the Coriolis meter has high reliability (due to an absence of moving parts in the flow path) resulting in a relatively low cost of ownership. Furthermore, high accuracy can help to increase operating efficiency and save on production costs. Coriolis flow meters are typically used for clean liquids and gases flowing at medium to high velocity. Coriolis meters are especially appropriate for measuring gases because gases are much more affected by temperature and pressure than are liquids.