Performance evaluation of Coriolis mass flow meter in laminar flow regime

Abstract

In many fluid flow applications, mass flow rate is preferred over volume flow rate, as it is more beneficial in terms of cost and material balance calculations. Coriolis mass flow meter (CMFM) is accepted widely for mass flow measurement owing to its accuracy and reliability. However, it has been found to under-read the mass flow rate in laminar flow region [1], thus limiting its application in this region. The secondary flow in the curved tube section influences the generated Coriolis force and leads to a deviation in meter readings. Commercial CMFMs are available with various curved tube configurations and need to be analyzed for their application in laminar region. This paper presents comprehensive experimental and numerical investigations performed to evaluate the influence of tube configuration and other meter parameters, such as drive frequency, amplitude of vibration, and sensor position, on the performance of the CMFM in laminar region. The findings of this study have put forth a suitable combination of tube configuration, drive frequency, and sensor position while using the CMFM in laminar flow regime.