Coriolis flowmeters are regarded as the gold standard in flow measurement. Since their introduction in the 1980s, Coriolis mass flowmeters have become one of the most versatile and reliable means of measuring the flow of liquids or gases. Recognized for their ability to measure multiple attributes over sustained periods with high repeatability and very little maintenance, they have established a reputation for accuracy, versatility and durability.
By measuring mass flow, density, concentration and temperature, a single Coriolis meter can do the work of multiple instruments, eliminating the cost of purchasing separate devices and minimizing the requirement for spare parts and overall maintenance. This combination of measurements can be highly useful in many applications.
Because Coriolis meters have no moving parts that come in direct contact with the measured substance – gas or liquid – they require little maintenance or upkeep. And once calibrated at the factory, they remain calibrated throughout their lifecycle.
And because Coriolis is the only meter capable of measuring mass flow of gas and liquids without calculation, results are independent of changes in temperature or pressure. The use of Coriolis flowmeters also allows for density measurement, making them a true multi-variable metering solution for filling operations in chemical, food and other such process industries.
Coriolis flowmeters are highly accurate. Accuracies of the new ABB CoriolisMaster flowmeter models, for example, range from 0.1 to 0.4 percent of measured value for liquids and 0.5 to 1 percent of reading for gases, which make them ideal candidates for a wide range of applications.
Five industries that benefit from Coriolis flowmeters
Chemical
The high accuracy, durability and flexibility of Coriolis flowmeters make them an ideal solution for allocation applications where quantities of chemicals are sold to third parties. By eliminating any deviations in measurement, Coriolis flowmeters can help to ensure that quantities sold exactly match what has been ordered.
Oil & Gas
With accuracy being of paramount importance to the oil and gas industry, they take measurement to a different level. For this reason alone, Coriolis flowmeters have been widely adopted in oil and gas applications.
Oil and gas will always have mixed mediums in them because natural resources will have entrained water or particles when first extracted. A Coriolis flowmeter can read many different values and measure different fluids. This makes them ideal for accurately measuring flows where mixed fractions of gas, liquid and entrained particles may be present.
Hydrogen
As countries around the world look for alternative methods of meeting their energy demands, the use of hydrogen is set to grow at a significant rate. An exponential increase in the demand for clean and green fuel due to rising pollution levels, coupled with growing government regulations to control and curb the sulfur content in fuels, is expected to drive this growth.
Food & Beverage
The food and beverage sector is the biggest growth market for Coriolis flowmeters. In this industry, the inherent versatility of Coriolis flowmeters enables them to be used for measuring a wide range of foods and beverages. With food and beverage producers typically selling by both volume and mass, the industry fully understands the accuracy, versatility and turndown advantages of Coriolis flowmeters compared to other measurement technologies.
Engine Testing
Due to climate change, the need to accurately measure exhaust emissions is a major priority for automotive companies, emission testing centers, and governing bodies. Each time a manufacturer develops an engine, they need to demonstrate how it complies with emission standards.
While the turndown and accuracy of Coriolis flowmeters make it an attractive choice for the industry, the flexibility of the technology offers major advantages. For example, the same Coriolis flowmeter and set-up can be used to measure emissions from a range of engine sizes, with no need for recalibration when different test fuels are used.
Meeting targets
While Coriolis flowmeters may not be the most cost-effective option in terms of initial purchase cost, their low cost of ownership, and utilization of verification software mean there is a long time between interventions and maintenance activities.
Their ability to deliver versatile, highly accurate measurement in a compact, easy to install and use design, makes them a better alternative to other flowmeter technologies in an expanding range of situations.
Added benefits are also possible through the addition of Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology, which is now available for ABB’s CoriolisMaster flowmeter. PoE offers several benefits for process engineers as it provides power and communications over the same cable.
ABB has extensive experience in the design, manufacture, supply and lifetime care of a wide variety of metering technologies, including Coriolis mass flowmeters. For more information, or advice on how to select the right flowmeter for your application, email moreinstrumentation@gb.abb.com, visit www.abb.com/measurement or call 0870 600 6122 ref. ‘Flow advice’.
