Copyright 2003 by ISA—The Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society

The 49th International Instrumentation Symposium, 4-8 May 2003

Paper # TP03AERO022

CORIOLIS FORCE MASS FLOW MEASUREMENT

DEVICES

Youssef F. Basrawi
Specialist
Flow Measurements
Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco)
Dhahran, Saudi Arabia 31311

KEYWORDS

Technologies and innovations are borne out of necessity. Flow measurement technologies, in general,
mass flow measurement devices, in particular, yield better accuracy and finer precision. Accuracy and
precision are mandatory for accountability and systematic responsibility.

ABSTRACT

This paper will discuss the technology of mass flow measurements and the coriolis force mass flow
meters. It highlights the possible application of mass flow measuring devices to custody transfer
operations and measurements of crude and hydrocarbon products in terms of mass instead of volume.
Emphasis is put on the accuracy and comparability of the coriolis mass flow devices versus conventional
volumetric flow measurement techniques. Operations, current research and field test studies play a
crucial role in determining the viability of such devices in the application for custody transfer of crude
and hydrocarbon products.

INTRODUCTION

Mass flow measurement devices are one of many current technologies being evaluated today by major
corporations and private instrumentation manufacturing companies in the hydrocarbon industry. The
application to royalty and custody transfer measurements of crude and hydrocarbon products, of such
devices is still in its research and testing phase. Unlike process conditions, custody transfer criteria have
more stringent conditions to comply with. Process conditions allow possible accuracy tolerances
between 2-5% and the process data is used for internal material balance, leak detection and loss control.
Custody accuracy tolerances however need to be between 0.25-0.50% margins. This is because financial
and commodity exchange takes place at the point of custody, where actual cash is either gained or lost. It
is this attribute of custody transfer, the stringent accuracy requirements, that current research for better
and automated sensors technology is being sought after and evaluated for compliance with the required
custody transfer flow measurement accuracies. The use of Coriolis mass meters in custody transfer
metering is relatively new, although they have been used for process optimization for nearly 20 years.
The same instrument measures mass flow and density with ± 0.15% of volumetric accuracy. Hence,
volumetric flow, if needed, can easily be calculated.

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATIONS OF CORIOLIS MASS FLOW DEVICES

Assume you are standing in the center of a merry-go-round rotating with an angular velocity w (for
clarity one revolution per minute). You start to walk at a constant speed from the center to the edge of
the merry-go-round. When passing ‘A’ you are covering the distance ‘A’ and when passing ‘B’ you are
covering the distance ‘B’ both in the same one-minute. It is clear that the distance ‘B’ is much greater
than the distance ‘A’. Apparently you have been accelerating. You have a certain mass and from
Newton’s second law, Force = mass x acceleration. So there must be a force. This force and acceleration
is named after Coriolis and are the basis for the mass flow meters. The Coriolis force Fc prevents you
from arriving at the point you were originally heading for. The resulting deflection ‘D’ is a measure of
the Coriolis force and as such the mass. The faster you walk the larger the deflection. This type of meter
measures the mass of the fluid flowing through vibrating “U, S, W or Straight ” shaped tubes. As
mentioned above, as the fluid flow through the vibrating tubes, the naturally occurring Coriolis force
causes a slight rotation of the meter tube about it’s axis, which is proportional to the amount of mass
flowing in the tube. These meters can also measure density as function of the tubes natural frequency.
Coriolis meters are limited in size, up to 8”, which covers most custody transfer metering requirements.
It is expected that their use is custody transfer metering will increase in the next few years.
The mass flow meter consists of one or two flow tubes enclosed in a sensor housing. The sensor housing
consist of a sensor, a transmitter and, in many cases, peripheral devices to provide monitoring, alarm,
and/or control functions. Sensors detect flow rate, density and temperature. Size and shape may differ,
but certain components are common to all sensors. There a several types of sensors U, S, W and Straight
tubes. U, S and W shaped are considered curved. Transmitters send pulsed current input signal to the
sensor drive coil causing the flow tubes to vibrate. The sensor input signals are processed, calculations
performed and various output signals are produced and sent to the peripheral devices, allowing
communications with operators or control systems. Peripherals provide additional functionality, such as
batch control and enhanced density functions.
Inside the housing, the flow tube is vibrated at its natural frequency by a magnetic drive coil located at
the center of the bend in the tube. As the fluid flows through the tube it is forced to take on the vertical
momentum of the vibrating tube. When the tube is moving upward during half of its vibration cycle, the
fluid flowing into the meter resists being forced upward by pulsing down on the tube. Having been
forced upward, the fluid flowing out of the meter resists having it’s vertical motion decreased by pushing
up on the tube. This causes the flow tube to twist when the tube is moving downward during the second
half of its vibration cycle; it twists in the opposite direction. This combination of forces, which causes
the flow tubes to twist, is called the Coriolis effect. Due to the tube’s elasticity, the amount of twist is
directly proportional to the mass flow rate of the fluid flowing through the tube. Magnetic sensors
located on each side of the flow tube measure the velocity of the vibrating flow tube. The sensors send
this information to an electronics unit where the information is processed and converted to an output
signal proportional to the mass flow rate. Unlike inferential measurement devices that use parameters
other than the fluid properties, such as electronic pulse counts, meter factors, system factors, linear and
rotational velocities components of measuring devices to infer the fluid flow rate; mass flow
measurement devices are direct measurement devices that use the fluid properties as direct measuring
parameters to determine the fluid flow rate. Such parameters are mass, density, viscosity temperature,
pressure etc. Examples are: Positive Displacement Meters and Mass Flow Meters.
Figure 1 shows the coriolis concept, figure 2 shows U-shaped and W-shaped vibrating tubes and figure 3
shows a typical mass flow meter loading station.

FIG. 1 -CORIOLIS FORCE FIG. 2 - U, W-SHAPED FIG. 3 - MASS FLOW METER

VIBRATING TUBES

TYPES OF MASS FLOW MEASUREMENT DEVICES

CURVED TUBES

This type of meter measures the mass of the fluid flowing through vibrating “W, U, or S” shaped tubes.
As the fluid flow through the vibrating tubes, the naturally occurring Coriolis force causes a slight
rotation of the meter tube about its axis, which is proportional to the amount of mass flowing in the tube.
Magnet and coil assemblies, called pick-offs, are mounted on the flow tubes. Wire coils are mounted on
the side legs of one flow tube, and magnets are mounted on the side legs of the opposing flow tube. Each
coil moves through the uniform magnetic field of the adjacent magnet. The voltage generated from each
pickoff coil creates a sine wave. Because the magnets are mounted on one tube, and the coils on the
opposing tube, the sine waves generated represent the motion of one tube relative to the other.
No Flow Condition: The flow tubes oscillate 180 degrees in opposition to one another; while one tube
moves downward, the other tube moves upward and then vice versa. Both pickoffs - the one on the inlet
side and the one on the outlet side - generate sine wave current continuously when the tubes are
oscillating. When there is no flow, the sine waves are in phase.
Flowing Condition: Process fluid entering the sensor is split, half passing through each flow tube.
During operation, a drive coil is energized. The drive coil causes the tubes to oscillate up and down in
opposition to one another. When fluid is moving through the sensor's tubes, Coriolis forces are induced.
These forces cause the flow tubes to twist in opposition to each other. When the tube is moving upward
during half of its vibration cycle, the fluid flowing into the sensor resists moving upward, by pushing
down on the tube. Having the tube's upward momentum as it travels around the bend, the fluid flowing
out of the sensor resists having its vertical motion decreased by pushing up on the tube. This causes the
tube to twist. As a result of the twist in the flow tubes, the sine waves generated by the pickoffs are now
out of phase because the inlet side is lagging behind the outlet side. The amount of time difference
between the sine waves is measured in microseconds, and is called Delta-T. It is directly proportional to
the mass flow rate. The greater the Delta-T, the greater the mass flow rate.
Figure 4 shows a typical curved tube with its components, figure 5 shows vibrating curved mass flow
meter under no flow condition and figure 6 shows meter under flow conditions.

FIG. 4 - CURVER TUBE FIG. 5 - TUBE VIBRATION FIG. 6 - TUBE VIBRATION

NO FLOW FLOW

STRAIGHT TUBES

A drive coil, comprised of a coil assembly fixed to the reference tube and a magnet fixed to the flow
tube, located at the center of the reference tube, energizes both the flow and reference tubes causing
them to oscillate in opposition to one another. Each coil moves through the uniform magnetic field of the
adjacent magnet. While the tube is moving upward, the reference tube is traveling downward and then
vice versa. Because the coils are mounted on the reference tube, and the magnet on the opposing flow
tube, the sine waves generated represent the motion of the single straight tube in relation to the reference
tube. Because of the reference tube's ability to mirror the movement of the flow tube, the system is fully
balanced. The case transition brackets attach the flow and reference tubes to the case, providing a well-
isolated vibration system. On either side of the drive coil are magnet and coil assemblies called pickoff
coils. These pickoff coils generate a signal detecting the relative motion of the flow tube and the
reference tube. The assembly of the pickoff is similar to the drive coil; the coils are fixed to reference
tube and the magnet is fixed to the flow tube. The voltage generated from each pickoff coil creates a sine
wave.
No Flow Condition: When the flow tube is filled with process fluid and there is no flow, the tube and the
reference tube oscillate in opposition to one another. While the tube is moving upward, the reference
tube is traveling downward and then vice versa. During a no flow condition there is no Coriolis effect
and the sine waves generated by the pickoff coils are in phase with each other.
Flowing Condition: Process fluid passes through a single straight tube, which is surrounded by a
reference tube. The patented design of the reference tube allows it to flex in opposition to the flow tube.
As the flow tube moves, the reference tube will adjust its vibration to match the flow tube. As process
fluid flows through the oscillating tube, Coriolis forces are induced. These forces cause the flow tube to
twist in opposition to the reference tube. The mechanical coupling of the flow tube to the reference tube
allows the twist of the flow tube to be transferred into the reference tube. As a result of the twist, the sine
waves generated by the pickoffs are now out of phase because the inlet side is lagging behind the outlet
side. The amount of time difference between the sine waves is measured in microseconds and is called
Delta-T. Delta-T is directly proportional to the mass flow rate. The greater the Delta-T, the greater the
mass flow rate. The resulting deflection caused by the twisting of the tube resisting motion consequently
causes a phase shift in the sine wave. Figure 7 shows a typical straight tube with its components, figure 8
shows a vibrating straight mass flow meter under no flow condition and figure 9 shows vibrating straight
mass flow meter under flow condition.

FIG. 7 - STRAIGHT TUBE FIG. 8 – PIPE VIBRATION FIG. 9 – PIPE VIBRATION

NO FLOW FLOW

APPLICATION OF MASS FLOW MEASUREMENT DEVICES

Mass flow meters are used in the global hydrocarbon industry and world petroleum measurement and
loading facilities such as refineries, terminals, refined product handling, truck loading, batching, gas
plants, pipelines, tank farms and bulk plants. Other applications for mass meters are in well testing used
as a multiphase meter, gathering systems for material balancing, inventory accounting, leak detection
and allocation purposes.
Figures 10 shows global applications of mass meters in the world, figure 11 shows application of mass
meters in world loading facilities, figure 12 shows application of mass meters in batching and figure 13
shows the mass meter as a multiphase meter.

FIG.10 - GLOBAL INDUSTRY FIG. 11 - WORLD LOADING FACILITIES

FIG. 12 - BATCHING PROCESS FIG. 13 - MULTIPHASE WELL MEASUREMENT

EVALUATION OF MASS FLOW MEASUREMENT DEVICES

Evaluation and tests for custody applications of mass flow meters is currently the hot topic in industry.
Custody transfer and loss control have very stringent accuracy tolerances. Production accuracy tolerance
margin = 5-10%, process accuracy tolerance margin = 2-5%. Custody transfer and loss control accuracy
tolerance margins = 0.25-0. 50%. This is so because commodity exchange taking place and the point of
custody involves actual financial gain or loss. Table 1 shows attributes and table 2 shows some field
evaluation test data of mass flow meters. These meters are being evaluated, in Saudi Aramco, for
custody transfer and other applications. Mass flow measurement devices have gained international
institutional approvals and certification from all of the United States, Europe, Russia and Southeast Asia.
Whether for liquid, gases or slurries, mass flow measurement technology offers many advantages over
traditional volumetric technologies.
 TABLE 1 – MASS FLOW MEASUREMENT TECHNOLOGIES AND THEIR ATTRIBUTES

TECHNOLOGY ACCURACY COST SAVINGS ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

MASS METER ± 0.2% Of Rate $60,000 Labor, Unaffected by Temperature. High Pressure
Operated At Fluid Operation, & Multi Variable Measurement Drop for Low. Flow
Velocities Between Maintenance Direct Mass Flow Rate, Rates. Heavy outer
0.12 & 12. M/s Cost Over Volumetric Flow rate, Density And casing. Verifiable by
(0.4 and 40 f/s). Conventional Temperature. gravimetric methods only.
± 0.1% Of Rate Flow Easy Installation. No Moving
Operated At Fluid Measuring Parts, No Special Mounting,
Velocities Greater Devices Self Draining, Easy To Clean,
Than 12 m/s Because Good Corrosion & Abrasion
(40 f/s). There Are No Resistance, No Flow Conditioning,
High Repeatability, Moving Parts No Straight Pipe Requirements.
Which Means And It Is Non Measures Density As A Function
Improved Product Intrusive. Of Tube’s Natural Frequency,
Quality And Very Low Static & Dynamic
Reduced Waste. Stress, Air & Particle Handling,
Mass Flow Insensitive To Density
Change And Good For Batching

TABLE 2 – MASS FLOW MEASUREMENT TECHNOLOGIES FIELD TEST DATA

CALIBRATION AND FIELD DATA PLOTS

A balanced system means that the mass flow measurement will remain accurate even under changing
densities of process fluid, external vibration and mounting stresses. Each transmitter/sensor pair is
factory calibrated before shipment. After process fittings have been attached and the sensor has been
hydrostatically tested, it is ready to be calibrated to customer specifications. At this point, the sensor is
married with a transmitter, and meter zero and calibration factors are determined. Batches are run at
various flow rates to ensure the meter performs within specification. A density calibration is also
performed, on air and water. Sensor/Transmitter are calibrated for density using air and water prior to
shipment. The sensor is operated with the flow tube full of air and the tube period is recorded as K1. The
actual density of air, which has been determined independently, is recorded as D1. The tubes are then
filled with water and the tube period is recorded as K2. The density of the water, again determined
independently, is recorded as D2. These data points, K1/D1 and K2/D2 characterize the response of that
particular sensor to process density. Figure 14 shows densities vs. tube periods and figure 15 shows
some relevant test plots for mass flow meters.
FIG. 14 - DENSITIES VS. TUBE PERIODS FIG. 15 – FIELD TEST DATA PLOTS

CONCLUSION

Applications of mass flow measurement devices yields better accuracy and finer precision. Mass flow
meters have comparable accuracy to conventional volumetric flow meters. They measure direct mass
flow rate and yield density and temperature measurement of flowing fluid. Mass meters are accurate and
repeatable to within acceptable API deviations and tolerances. They are a viable alternate to
conventional volumetric flow metering. In conclusion to this paper “Coriolis Force Mass Flow
Measurement Devices” the main point are briefly summarized and recommendations are offered.

SUMMARY OF MAIN POINTS

Principles of operations of mass flow measurement devices.

Types of mass flow measurement devices.

Application of mass flow measurement devices.

Evaluation of mass flow measurement devices.

Institutional approvals of mass flow measurement devices.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Implementation of the new API standard for mass flow measurements (currently balloted).
Better accuracy and finer precision through application of new and more cost effective measurement
technologies.

Continued participation and proactive representation in National and International Measurement

Engineering and Loss Control Institutions, as well as in Joint Industry Partnerships for New Flow
Measurement Technology Testing and Evaluation.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The author wishes to thank the following companies and institutes for graciously providing information,
data and pictorials to help make this presentation possible:

Custody Measurement Unit, Process and Control Systems Department, Saudi Aramco.

Riyadh Asphalt Truck Loading Facilities, Saudi Aramco.

Krohne, United Kingdom.

NIST, United States of America.

Micro motion, United States of America

PTB, Germany

OIML, Netherlands

Czech Republic, Russia, Austria, India, China and South Africa.

Thanks also to:

Dr. Gaspard Gustave de Coriolis 1792 – 1843 Professor of Mechanics, Ecole Centrale des Artes et
Manufactures 1829 Paris, France.

Kamal Banjar, Coriolis Technologist Custody Measurement Unit, Saudi Aramco

Dr. Yusif Hussain, Technical Director, Krohne Ltd. United Kingdom.

REFERENCES

1. American Petroleum Institute 1993; Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards, Washington; API
2. Engineering Encyclopedia, Saudi Aramco, Web-based.
3. Encyclopedia Britannica, Saudi Aramco, Web-based
5. Miller R.W. 1996; Flow Measurement Engineering, New York; McGraw-Hill.
6. Spink L.K. 1972; Flow Measurement Engineering, Massachusetts; The Foxboro Company.