Glossary · Sensors and measurement
Coriolis flow measurement
Also known as: Coriolis mass flow measurement
German: Coriolis-Durchflussmessung
In process instrumentation, Coriolis flow measurement is a method that determines mass flow directly from the Coriolis forces acting on vibrating measuring tubes through which the medium flows. The tube vibration frequency also yields the density of the medium.
- Sensors
- Process industry
In one sentence
Coriolis flow measurement derives mass flow directly from Coriolis forces in vibrating tubes and also measures the density of the medium.
Example
A batching system uses Coriolis flow measurement to dose a liquid additive by mass, independent of its temperature and viscosity.
How it applies
- Engineering: The method measures mass flow without needing pressure, temperature or density compensation, which makes it suitable for dosing, custody transfer and changing media. Pressure drop and meter size must be checked for viscous media.
- Operation: Besides mass flow, the method provides density and temperature, from which volume flow and, for known mixtures, concentration can be calculated.
- Limitations: Gas bubbles in liquids and strong external vibration can disturb the measurement.
- Documentation: When a value is derived, such as volume flow or concentration, document how it is calculated so that reports and recipes use the same basis.
Coriolis flow measurement vs. Coriolis flowmeter
The measurement is the physical method. The Coriolis flowmeter is the device that implements it, with its tubes, exciter, pickups and transmitter electronics.