Measuring flow by simple mass or volume is okay in some applications, but in many others, it is essential to be alert for density fluctuations that could signal a change in material composition or process conditions.
In these situations, a failure to account for changing density can lead to under- or over-delivery of key materials, resulting in product defects, inaccurate metering for charging purposes, regulatory non-compliance or any number of other issues.
Coriolis meters work by measuring the flow of a fluid through a vibrating tube. They rely on the Coriolis effect, which causes the tube to experience a tiny twisting force in proportion to the mass flow rate. That in turn gives the tube a measurable wobble.
While they are not typically the cheapest flowmeters to buy upfront, a single Coriolis meter can do the work of multiple instruments by enabling operators to measure mass flow, density, concentration and temperature, eliminating the cost of purchasing several devices and minimizing the requirement for spare parts and maintenance.
Unlike other flow measurement principles, the Coriolis meter does not require any intake pipe as it measures the mass flow rate by detecting the deflection of vibration tubes through which the fluid passes.