Mass Flow Meters

Flow meters are instruments that gauge how quickly a fluid is moving through a system. Mass flow meters and volumetric flow meters are the two primary divisions of flow meters in general.

Principle of Operation

Thermal and inertial flow technologies are employed to measure mass flow. The Coriolis effect is used by inertia meters, also called Coriolis mass flow meters, to calculate mass flow rate. The amount of deflecting force produced by the Coriolis inertial effect depends on the mass rate at which the fluid flows when it flows in a pipe and is exposed to Coriolis acceleration via the mechanical introduction of visible rotation into the pipe. Heat mass flow meters use a heat source and temperature sensors to operate using the heat transfer principle to directly quantify gasses and liquids’ mass flow rate.

Direct Measurement of Mass Flow

This mass flow measurement minimizes errors brought on by the differences between volumetric flow and mass, among other fluid-related physical characteristics. A major justification for the employment of mass flow meters is that this type of mass flow measurement is an absolute indicator that is taken straight from the stream of the medium and is not impacted by temperature, pressure, viscosity, or density fluctuations. Volumetric measuring equipment remains accurate as long as the circumstances and benchmark calibrations are carefully followed. Unfortunately, temperature or pressure variations that alter flow rate cannot be detected by volumetric devices like turbine flow or variable area meters.

Coriolis Theory

The Coriolis principle describes how a rotating mass affects a body in motion. The Coriolis force, which is applied to the body by the moving mass, causes deformation and appears to cause the body to veer off course. The Coriolis flow meter operates on the tenet that the force, rather than acting directly on the body, acts on the motion of the body. The Coriolis idea is extremely simple but very powerful. It makes use of a pipe that is powered by constant vibration. The tube’s resonance is altered by the flow rate momentum when a fluid flows through it, causing a phase shift. An output that is linear and equal to the flow is produced from the phase shift. Any gas or liquid can be measured for mass flow using the Coriolis method because it is not dependent on the substance in the tube. The natural frequency, which varies in proportion to the density of the fluid, can also be measured in addition to the phase shift frequency. It is possible to determine the flow rate of the volume using the density and the mass flow from the phase shift. Direct flow meters that use the Coriolis effect are called Coriolis meters. Greater flow rates and reduced pressure loss are possible due to the straight-through flow path through the meter.

Thermal Mass Flow Meters

These types of mass flow meters are precise instruments used to measure the mass flow of various gasses directly. They place a sensor into a gas stream of a duct to monitor the gas flow utilizing convective heat transfer. A heat mass flow meter's tip is equipped with two resistance temperature detector (RTD) sensors that measure thermal performance as fluid flows over a heated surface. An integrated circuit heats one of the RTDs while the reference RTD gauges the gas's temperature.

Turbine Flow Meters

This type of flow meter uses a rotor with slanted blades that quickly revolve in a counterclockwise or clockwise direction to measure the energy generated by the flow. The rod to which the blades are fastened rotates smoothly because of the bearings in the rod. The flow's quick motion quickens the blades' rotation rate, which spins the rod. Magnets, temperature sensors, and pressure sensors are fastened to the blades to measure the flow rate.

As they rotate, the blades pass a small metal object adjacent to the meter. The time taken for the rotors to pass the given object gives a precise reading of the flow rate.

Choosing the Right Mass Flow Meter Supplier

To ensure the most beneficial outcome when purchasing mass flow meters from a mass flow meter supplier, it is important to compare several companies using our directory of mass flow meter suppliers. Each mass flow meter supplier has a business profile page highlighting their areas of experience and capabilities, along with a contact form to directly communicate with the supplier for more information or request a quote. Review each mass flow meter business website using our patented website previewer to quickly learn what each business specializes in. Then, use our simple RFQ form to contact multiple mass flow meter companies with the same form.