Coriolis summary

History

The Coriolis effect was described by Gaspard Gustave de Coriolis in 1835. In 1977 Micro Motion
introduces the first industrial Coriolis mass flowmeter, followed by Endress+Hauser Flowtec which
started to produce m-point, the first straight tube Coriolis flowmeter in 1984.

Measuring principle

In a Coriolis meter, the meter tube is brought into oscillation. The combination of this oscillation and
the movement of the fluid through the pipe leads to an additional force on the measuring tube, the so-
called Coriolis force.

If the oscillation of the measuring tube(s) is picked-up at the inlet and the outlet, the signals will be in
phase as long as there is NO massflow. The increasing massflow will generate a proportional Coriolis
force which in fact will influence the oscillation due to either dampening or acceleration of the tube
motion. The two signals will show an increasing phase shift that is proportional to the massflow.

Variables

Direct measured Calculated

• Massflow • Volume flow

• Density • Corrected Volume
• Fluid temperature • Concentration
• Viscosity

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Basic meter construction

A Coriolis massflow meter consists of the following main components:

Transmitter

Amplifies and filters signals, computes relevant data (totalizer, flowrate), generates interface signals
(Hart, Profibus etc). Is the human machine interface (HMI) and display. It can be mounted integrally or
remote, depending on the installation situation. Is available in aluminum (non-Ex and Ex versions) or
stainless steel.

Sensor

Contains all parts and functions of the device mounted in the pipe (see picture below).

Process connection

It provides connection to customer process piping. Choose from many options.

Oscillation driving system (Exciter)

Electromagnets drive the oscillation of the measuring pipe(s).

Electromagnetic sensors

The phase shift of the inlet and outlet section of the pipe is measured by comparing signals of two
electromagnetic sensors (pick-ups).

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Dual tube – single tube design

The Coriolis measuring principle works with any single, straight measuring tube. Nevertheless, the
most common design is a dual tube configuration – two measuring tubes next to each other. The
measuring tubes then oscillate in opposite direction. This means that the forces at the beginning and
end of the measuring tubes compensate each other. The system motion therefore has no influence to
the outside of the Coriolis meter. Following the same principle, external disturbances do not influence a
dual tube system.

A single tube system has advantages over a dual tube system. Usually the pressure loss is lower because
the flow does not have to be distributed into two measuring tubes. In order to ensure that single tube
instruments are insensitive to external disturbances as well, a lot of knowledge is necessary during the
design phase of such meters.

Advantages

General Additional

• Compact design • Direct & continuous massflow

• Highest security due to: Standard 2nd
containment (except E sensor)
• Insensitiv to pipeline vibrations
• Self draining design
measurement
• Universal for liquid and gases
• Independent of fluid properties
• Multivariable
• Very high measuring accuracy
• Not affected by flow profile
• No moving parts

Limitations

• Meter design generates pressure loss

• Only single phase fluids allowed
• Relatively high purchase price
• Limited sizes available

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Application examples

Oil & Gas

e.g. Truck loading of diesel fuel

Chemical

e.g. Density measurement

Water & Wastewater

e.g. Dosing of flocculant

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Life Science

e.g. Viscosity and mass flow measurement

Food & Beverage

e.g. Brix measurement in soft drinks

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