Mass Flow Meters

Mass Flow Meters

Mass flow meters directly measure the mass flow of fluids under various conditions. They are crucial for commercial measurement, laboratory procedures, and various industrial processes.

Sino-Inst offers custom mass flow meters for special requirements, such as low temperatures, high temperatures, and high pressures. Coriolis mass flow meters are ideal for liquid flow measurement. Thermal mass flow meters are suitable for most dry gases. We also offer flow meters capable of measuring the mass flow of powders.

Featured Mass Flow Meters

What is a Mass Flow Meter?

A mass flow meter is a flow meter that measures the velocity of a fluid by measuring the mass of the fluid.

Methods of measuring fluid flow are volume and mass.

The volume of a fluid is a function of fluid temperature and pressure and is a dependent variable. The mass of a fluid is a quantity that does not change with time, temperature, and pressure.

Among the commonly used flow meters, most are volume flow meters. Such as orifice flow meters, laminar mass flow meters, turbine flow meters. Vortex flow meters, electromagnetic flow meters. Rotor flow meters, ultrasonic flow meters. And oval gear flow meters, etc.

Common mass flow meters are: Coriolis mass flow meters and thermal mass flow meters.

Read more about different mass flow meters working principle:

Types Of Mass Flow Meters And Different Measurement Techniques

Different Methods of Mass Flow Measurement

① Direct mass flowmeter
That is, directly detecting the amount proportional to the mass flow, and the detection element directly reflects the mass flow. The Coriolis mass flowmeter is currently the most widely used.

② Derivational mass flowmeter
That is, using a combination of a volume flowmeter and a density meter to measure mass flow. The volume flow rate and fluid density are detected at the same time, and the output signal related to the mass flow rate is obtained through calculation. Thermal mass flowmeter is one of them.

③Compensated mass flowmeter
Simultaneously detects the volume flow rate of the fluid and the temperature and pressure of the fluid. Then, according to the relationship between fluid density, temperature and pressure. The density value of the fluid in this state is calculated by the calculation unit. Then the mass flow value of the fluid is calculated.

Types of Mass Flow Meters

Coriolis Mass Flowmeter

Coriolis mass flowmeters directly measure fluid mass flow based on the Coriolis effect. Their core principle is that as fluid flows through a vibrating tube, the Coriolis force causes the tube to distort. The mass flow rate is calculated by measuring the phase difference between the inlet and outlet.

They can simultaneously measure parameters such as density and temperature, with an accuracy typically ranging from ±0.1% to ±0.35%. They are widely used in various industries, including chemical, pharmaceutical, energy, rubber, paper, and food, and are particularly suitable for batching, loading, and custody transfer.

Thermal Mass Flow Meter

Hydrogen flow meters for mass and volume flow

A thermal mass flow meter uses heating and temperature measurement to measure the thermal conductivity of a fluid. It contains two temperature sensing devices: a heater and a thermistor. When the thermal measuring device is placed in a fluid pipeline, its heat transfer efficiency changes. Based on the laws of heat conduction and thermal equilibrium, the fluid’s mass flow rate can be calculated.

They are generally used to measure the mass flow of dry gases. They feature low pressure drop, a wide flow range, accurate measurement, and stable performance. They can also be used to monitor and control extremely low gas flows.

Powder Mass Flow Meter

Powder flow meters utilize the most reliable electrostatic measurement technology. When airflow containing dust particles in a pipe passes through a fixed sensor, the weak current generated by the particles in motion is detected by the sensor and transmitted to a transmitter. The transmitter then filters, amplifies, and processes the current into a standardized output value that is linearly proportional to the dust flow rate.

Powder flow meters are used to precisely control the proportion of active ingredients in pharmaceuticals and are used to measure flour, sugar, cement, and chemical raw materials. They not only ensure precise mixing of raw materials but also help reduce energy consumption and material waste.

FAQ

Mass flow measurement tools primarily include mass flow meters (MFMs) and mass flow controllers (MFCs).

The primary function of a mass flow meter (MFM) is to measure real-time flow (also called instantaneous flow) and accumulated flow.

The primary function of a mass flow controller (MFC) is to control instantaneous flow. This means setting a desired flow rate and measuring the actual instantaneous flow rate after control. It can also provide accumulated flow.

In practical applications, these two instruments with different functions are often referred to as mass flow meters. Therefore, when communicating, it’s important to clarify whether flow control is required. Because an MFC flow controller has an additional control valve compared to an MFM, this not only means a slightly higher cost, but also requires more specific operating conditions and differs in usage. Therefore, it’s important to clearly describe the specific application to avoid errors.

Mass flowmeters and electromagnetic flowmeters are two common flow measurement devices. The main differences between the two flowmeters are:

  1. Different Measurement Principles
    Mass flowmeters primarily measure mass flow directly, for example, using the Coriolis principle.
    Electromagnetic flowmeters measure fluid flow based on the Faraday principle of electromagnetic induction.
  2. Different Applications
    Mass flowmeters have a wide range of applications and can measure the flow of various liquid and gaseous media.
    Electromagnetic flowmeters are suitable for measuring the flow of liquids in conductive media.
  3. Different Accuracy and Stability
    Mass flowmeters offer higher flow measurement accuracy in conditions with high viscosity, large flow velocity variations, and significant temperature differences, achieving ±0.1% to ±0.5%.
    Electromagnetic flowmeters are unaffected by fluid temperature, temperature, turbulence, and other factors, and offer high accuracy, reaching ±0.5%.
  4. Different Prices
    Mass flowmeters offer higher accuracy and stability, but are generally more expensive than electromagnetic flowmeters.

Read more about: Mass Flow Meter Vs Magnetic Flow Meter

Main Differences Between Mass Flowmeters and Vortex Flowmeters

Measurement Principle: Mass flowmeters directly measure the mass flow of a fluid, while vortex flowmeters infer flow by measuring vortex frequency. The former focuses on mass flow, while the latter focuses on volume flow.

Applications: Mass flowmeters are suitable for applications requiring precise mass flow, particularly for high-precision measurement of liquid and gas flows. Vortex flowmeters are suitable for measuring medium-volume flows of gases, liquids, and steam, especially under relatively stable temperature and pressure conditions.

Accuracy and Stability: Mass flowmeters offer higher accuracy and maintain good stability under varying fluid characteristics, but they are relatively expensive. Vortex flowmeters offer moderate accuracy, making them suitable for most industrial applications and relatively affordable.

Maintenance and Cost: Due to their complex structure, mass flowmeters require regular maintenance and are relatively expensive. Vortex flowmeters, on the other hand, offer a simpler structure, lower maintenance costs, and are suitable for large-scale applications.

More Flow Measurement Solutions

As a crucial component of process measurement and control, mass flow meters have become indispensable tools across various industries due to their high precision, high reliability, and broad application prospects.

Sino-Inst supplies Coriolis mass flow meters, thermal mass flow meters, and mass controllers. We support customization of parameters such as temperature, pressure, material, and signal output. If you need to purchase a mass flow meter or have any technical questions, please feel free to contact our sales engineers!

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