Selecting a Mass Flow Meter for Your Application

Industrial and chemical processes ranging from polymerization to brewing depend on delivery of precise quantities of liquids or gases. Rates of delivery can be measured in terms of either mass or volume per unit of time, and choosing between them depends on the application. In many situations volumetric flow measurement is sufficient, especially if temperature and pressure are known and stable. However, as mass flow measurement directly indicates the quantity of molecules present it has the advantage of being immune to density variation.

Most engineers are familiar with some of the many ways to measure volumetric flow. Mass flow measurement in general, is less well-known and understood. This OMEGA Engineering White Paper explains how mass flow rates can be measured directly (such as through heat loss) and indirectly (by inference from pressure drop) and highlights relevant features of some commercially-available mass flow meters. Individual sections address:

The mostly widely used types of meters are differential pressure, thermal mass, and Coriolis.

Differential Pressure Flow Meter
An obstruction such as a disc with a hole of known diameter is inserted into a region of laminar flow, and fluid pressure measured on each side. Pressure will be higher on the upstream side, with the difference in readings being proportional to the distance between the two reading points, volumetric flow rate, viscosity and pipe diameter, as set out in Poiseuille’s equation. Corrections are then made for temperature and pressure to produce a standardized mass flowrate.

Thermal Mass Flow Meter
These are available in two designs: heated sample tube and inserted probe. Both derive mass from the specific heat capacity of the fluid (thus negating density variations) so this property must be known. Thermal mass flow meters are ideal for low gas flowrates.

In a heated sample tube mass flow meter, some or all of the flow passes through a high precision tube. Heat is applied to the tube and the change in temperature measured. The difference in temperature between the two points indicates how much energy the fluid has absorbed, which depends on the mass moving through the tube.

Inserted probe mass flow meters use the same principle, but with two RTD probes positioned in the flow. The upstream sensor measures the fluid temperature while the second is heated to a temperature above that of the first sensor. Heat is transferred from the second sensor to the fluid at a rate corresponding to the mass flowrate.

The Coriolis Mass Flow Meter
Coriolis mass flow meters measure mass through inertia. Liquid or a dense gas flows through a tube which is vibrated by a small actuator. This acceleration produces a measurable twisting force on the tube proportional to the mass. The mass flow rate is indicated without needing any knowledge of the fluid flowing inside. More sophisticated Coriolis meters employ dual curved tubes for higher sensitivity and lower pressure drop.

Three factors affect the accuracy of the differential pressure mass flow meter. First, the measurement is inferred from temperature and pressure, so any error in these reflects in the final result. Second, there are assumptions about the viscosity and the degree to which laminar flow is achieved (turbulence affects flow through the obstruction and creates misleading pressure measurements). Third, and perhaps most important, the orifice may wear, becoming larger over time and so reducing the pressure drop. Depending on the fluid passing through, there is also a risk of partial blockage.

When using thermal mass flow meters it is important to consider the possible influence of:

In addition, thermal mass flow meters need time to reach a steady-state operating temperature. Readings should not be taken as soon as the device is powered-up.

Coriolis mass flow meters, while considered the most accurate, are susceptible to errors resulting from bubbles in liquid. These allow “splashing” within the tube, generating noise and changing the energy needed for tube vibration. Large cavities increase the energy needed for tube vibration inordinately, leading to complete failure. In addition, separation of fluid into gas and liquid produces a damping effect on tube vibration.

Differential pressure mass flow meter(s) find application anywhere it can be safely assumed the fluid has consistent viscosity, and ideally where temperature doesn’t change. Compressibility of gases can cause problems but liquid handling and dispensing applications usually work well. Allowance must be made for the pressure drop through the meter. They are useful when a reading must be taken as soon as the meter is turned on.

Thermal mass flow meters work with both liquids and gases. They are used widely in:

Other common applications for thermal mass flow meters include laboratory analysis, such as gas chromatography.

As the most accurate, and also the most expensive, technique, Coriolis mass flow meters are the predominant type of meter used in scientific applications where they measure both corrosive and clean gases and liquids. They are also found in:

Meters with a straight tube design are more easily cleaned so are preferred for food and beverage applications as well as pharmaceuticals. They also handle the slurries typically found in mining operations.

The OMEGA® FMA6600/6700 series meters are multiparameter mass flow devices capable of providing flow, pressure and temperature measurements. Intended for use with gases, mass flow is measured using the heated sample tube principle. These meters handle gas flows from 0.15 to 100 LPM and are accurate to ±1 percent and accuracy ±11⁄2 percent full scale.

Also designed for dry, clean gases is the stainless steel FMA3100/3300ST family of thermal mass flow meters. Using the heated sample tube principle, these handle flow rates from 0.4 to 20 SCCM to 10 to 500 LPM with temperature sensitivity of ±0.15% and repeatability ±0.25%, full-scale.

For situations where a differential pressure mass flow meter is most appropriate, the FMA-1600A has a range of 0 to 0.5 SCCM up to 0 to 3,000 SLM. It includes more than 30 gas calibrations and displays temperature, pressure, volumetric and mass flowrate simultaneously. Typical accuracy on the FMA-1600A series is ±(0.8% of reading + 0.2% full scale).

Mass flow rates can be measured indirectly by differential pressure or directly with a meter using either specific heat capacity or the Coriolis effect.

Coriolis mass flow meters produce the most accurate for most liquids but are expensive. They have the advantage of not needing any knowledge about the fluid being carried.

Thermal mass flow meters are a less accurate but still direct measurement method. They do require knowledge of the fluid’s specific heat capacity.

The differential pressure mass flow meter produces an indirect measurement derived through Poiseuille’s equation that must be adjusted for fluid temperature and pressure. This works well when the fluid is incompressible.