Born in 1792, the French mathematician and physicist Gaspard-Gustave de Coriolis was the first to describe the force that history has named after him. This force is particularly noticeable in rotating systems. The experiments and simulations shown in this film illustrate what it's all about.
Coriolis flow measurement is the simultaneous measurement of mass flow, density, temperature and viscosity. The Coriolis measuring principle is used in a wide range of different branches of industry, such as the life sciences, chemicals, petrochemicals, oil and gas, food, and – no less importantly – in custody transfer applications.
Watch the video to learn how the Coriolis flow measuring principle works and read more about it here!
Advantages of Coriolis flowmeters at a glance
- Universal measuring principle for liquids and gases
- Multivariable – simultaneous measurement of mass flow, density, temperature and viscosity
- High measuring accuracy: typically: ±0.1% o.r., optionally: ±0.05% o.r. (PremiumCal)
- Measuring principle independent of the physical fluid properties and the flow profile
- No inlet/outlet runs necessary
Video Transcript
The most diverse substances are transported and distributed in pipelines every single day. This may include drinking water, fruit juices, oil and gas as well as chemicals, acids or alkalis.
The fluids flowing through pipelines often display completely different properties. Consequently, there are different principles for their measurement. One such method is flow measurement based on the Coriolis principle.
The French physicist Gaspard Gustave de Coriolis set out the physical basis for this measuring principle over 200 years ago.
What is interesting is that the Coriolis principle allows the flow of mass to be directly measured.
Let’s take a closer look at how this measurement method works!
A tube is located inside each Coriolis flowmeter. An exciter causes this tube to oscillate constantly – here in an exaggerated example.
If there is no flow, the measuring tube oscillates uniformly. Sensors are located at the inlet and outlet and register this basic oscillation precisely.
As soon as the fluid starts to flow in the measuring tube, however, additional twisting is imposed on the oscillation as a result of the liquid’s inertia.
Now – due to the Coriolis effect – the inlet and outlet sections of the tube oscillate in different directions at the same time.
The highly sensitive sensors pick up this change in the tube oscillation in terms of time and space. This is known as the “phase shift”, and is a direct measure of how much liquid or gas is currently flowing through the pipe.
The higher the flow velocity – and thus the total flow – the greater the deflection of the oscillating measuring tube.
The application of the Coriolis measuring principle doesn’t stop here! It can also be used to simultaneously determine the density of the flowing fluid.
To do so, the sensors also register the oscillating frequency, in other words how often the measuring tube moves back and forth in one second.
From the animation, it is clear that a tube filled with water oscillates more frequently than a tube filled with honey, for example, which has a far higher density.
Thus, the oscillating frequency is a direct measure of the fluid’s density.
Both the density and the flow are determined simultaneously – but independently – via the tube oscillation.
Endress+Hauser has continuously revolutionized and perfected Coriolis flow measuring technology in numerous innovative systems.
This measuring technology is unique as it is the only way multiple process variables – such as mass flow, volume flow, density, temperature and even viscosity – can be measured simultaneously in pipelines.
For all applications, we have the right solution.
Endress+Hauser - your single-source supplier for measuring technology!
