Agenda

• Coriolis Flow Meter Theory of Operation

• Bunkering
• Marine Fuel Management
• Viscosity
• Questions
 Coriolis Flowmeter Technology
Direct mass measurement is insensitive to fluid properties such as:
• Temperature 22 °C (40°F) Change
• Pressure 1000L 1027L
• Density
The same amount of fluid (1 Tonne)
looks like 2.7% (~$18) difference with
volumetric measurement

$54,000 difference on a 1 Tonne 1 Tonne.

3000 Tonne bunker $654 $654

Bunkers sold on mass but measured by inferred volume

2 Source: Bunkerworld, April 28th

 Theory of Operation
• The Coriolis effect is an inertia force.
• In 1835, Gustave-Gaspard de Coriolis showed that this inertia force must be taken
into consideration if the simple Newton’s Law of Motion of bodies are to be used
in a rotating frame of reference.

Gasparde de Coriolis

Coriolis Effect: The original path is deflected

westward by the rotation of the planet
Typical Components of a Coriolis Meter
 Theory of Operation – Mass Flow

• In a Coriolis meter, the inertial force is provided by

vibrating the flow tubes. The tube twist or angle of
deflection from the vibration plane is measured and
converted into a mass flow measurement.

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 Theory of Operation – Mass Flow

• Process fluid enters the sensor and flow is split with half the flow through each tube. The
sensor flow tubes are vibrated in opposition to each other by energizing a drive coil. Tubes
are oscillated at their natural frequency.

• Magnet and coil assemblies, called pick-offs, are mounted on the flow tubes. As each coil
moves through the uniform magnetic field of the adjacent magnet it creates a voltage in
the form of a sine wave.

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 Theory of Operation – Mass Flow
• During a no flow condition, there is no Coriolis effect and the sine waves are in phase with
each other.
• When fluid is moving through the sensor's tubes, Coriolis forces are induced causing the
flow tubes to twist in opposition to each other. The time difference between the sine waves
is measured and is called Delta-T which is directly proportional to the mass flow rate.
 Theory of Operation – Mass Flow

• The Flow Calibration Factor consists of 10 characters, including two decimal

points.
– The first five digits are the flow calibration factor. This calibration factor, multiplied by
a given Delta-T, yields mass flow rate in grams/sec.
– The last three digits are a temperature coefficient for the sensor tube material. This
coefficient compensates for the effect of temperature on tube rigidity (% change in
rigidity per 100°C).
 Three wire platinum RTD measures tube
temperature on inlet side of sensor
– Accurate to +/- 1.0oC
– Available as additional process variable

Applies to liquid and

gas, and is linear
throughout the entire
range of the meter
RTD

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Theory of Operation - Density
Theory of Operation -Temperature
 Coriolis Multi-Variable Capability

Three process variables measured independently

Direct Mass
Flow

On-Line
Density

Temperature
 Coriolis Technology
Multi-Variable Measurement Capability
• Density-dependant variables are also available as either;
– Standard Curves (Brix, API, HFCS, etc)
– Customer-specific Curves (% Mass, % Volume, Alcohol, etc)
 Degrees API  % Solids  Specific Gravity
 Degrees Baume  % Mass  Alcohol
 Degrees Brix  % Black Liquor  % HFCS
 Degrees Plato  Concentration  SCFM

Mass Flow
Volume Flow

Density Specific % Solids

Gravity By Volume
Net Solids
Temperature Temperature % Solids
By Mass

Mass Flow
 Theory of Operation - Volume
• Volumetric Flow is a calculated variable.

Mass Flow
Volume Flow 
Density

• Volume can be referenced to standard temperature using the

temperature input.
• Coriolis meters are preferred for volume measurements.
– Low pressure drop
– Wide turndown
– High accuracy
– High degree of linearity
 Coriolis Sensor Geometries
• All Geometries are not created equal
• Design trade-offs are made for such things as;
– Flow sensitivity & turndown
– Density accuracy
– Fluid S.G. range (gas/liquid)
– Materials of construction
– Temperature effects
– Drainability and Cleanability
– Pressure limits
 Why Coriolis – Volume Measurement
• Coriolis meters are unaffected by flow profiles,
and provide higher turndown than a typical
Orifice plate, Vortex
velocity-based volumetric
Flow conditioner
meters or Turbine

42 D 6D

No straight run
 No Reynolds # Limits
 No parts to wear out
 Limits leak points/fugitive emissions
 Lower life cycle costs
 Low installed costs
 Marine Industry Applications

• Fuel Bunkering
• Engine Fuel Control
• Fuel Viscosity

Navy Supply

Platform

Pleasure Cruise
Cargo Ship
 Benefits of a 1% Measurement Improvement
• Bunker fuel represents 50-70% of total ship operating expense
Example: Large container ship-7,750 TEU
– Summer 2010 $455/tn*200tn/day*200 days operating = $18.2M
– Winter 2011 bunkers $655tn*200tn/day*300 days operating = $39.3M
– Next summer ????
• What does a 1% measurement improvement mean to you?
– Last summer $182K potential savings
– Now $393K potential savings
– Reduced billing discrepancies

The technology is here today that can benefit suppliers, barge operators and shipping
companies