Company Profile

Coriolis Flow Measurement and Coriolis Mass Meters: Premium Engineering for Custody Transfer

Quick Answer

Coriolis mass meters measure mass flow directly. They remove volume correction errors for custody transfer. Silver Automation Instruments supplies premium engineered Coriolis flow measurement systems for oil, gas, chemical, and food plants. Send your pipe size (DN), pressure (bar), temperature (°C), and flow range (kg/h or t/h) for a quote.

Where Coriolis Mass Meters Earn Their Cost in Custody Transfer

Custody transfer means money changes hands based on the meter reading. A mass reading avoids volume swings caused by temperature or pressure. A DN80 Coriolis mass meter on a diesel loading skid can meter 0 to 80 t/h at 0.1 percent mass accuracy.

We see custody transfer skids like this in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. A fuel terminal in Oman meters marine gas oil at 38 bar and 45 °C. The same meter reports density and temperature. That data goes to the flow computer through 4-20 mA HART or Modbus.

Sizing and Parameters That Matter

Here is the thing. Flow range, viscosity, and pressure drop decide the model. Do not size a Coriolis meter only on line size. A meter sized too large loses accuracy at low flow. A meter sized too small creates pressure loss and may cavitate.

We ask for four values before quote: pipe size (DN), operating pressure (bar), temperature (°C), and mass flow range (kg/h or t/h). For a 2-inch crude oil line, a DN50 Coriolis mass meter rated for 150 bar at 120 °C works in most cases.

Most engineers skip wetted material selection. The wetted material matters as much as the flow range. Crude oil with H2S needs 316L or Hastelloy. Food plants need polished stainless steel and no dead spaces. For a seawater flow meter for desalination plant, a DN100 Coriolis mass meter with 316L wetted parts is a common starting point.

Installation and Calibration on Real Sites

Straight run is not a big concern for Coriolis flow measurement. The meter can handle tight pipe layouts. But do not install it next to a strong vibration source. Mechanical noise can disturb the tube frequency.

We have seen vibration drift on customer sites many times. A paint manufacturer in Vietnam had a solvent batch line with two pumps and a long bypass. The first meter reading drifted because the meter was mounted on a steel frame that carried pump vibration. After moving the meter to a floor stand, the drift stopped.

For custody transfer, calibration is where the paper trail matters. A wet calibration against a certified reference at the factory gives the best evidence. Silver Instruments supplies factory calibration certificates and third-party calibration for critical lines. Inside the sensor, a PT100 element tracks tube temperature for density compensation.

FAQ: Coriolis Flow Measurement for Custody Transfer

Q: What accuracy does a Coriolis mass meter offer for custody transfer?

A: Typically 0.1 percent to 0.2 percent of mass flow rate. For LPG and refined fuels, 0.1 percent works for many national metrology approvals. We quote the calibration range and repeatability together.

Q: Which sizes do you supply for Coriolis mass meters?

A: DN15 to DN300. Smaller lines for dosing use DN15 to DN25. Main custody transfer skids often use DN50 to DN150. We can also supply flanged, tri-clamp, and threaded connections.

Q: Can Coriolis meters handle high viscosity fluids?

A: Yes. Heavy fuel oil, bitumen, molasses, and polymers with viscosity up to 500 cP and above can be measured. You do need to check pressure drop because viscosity affects it.

Q: What information do you need for a price?

A: Send pipe size (DN), pressure (bar), temperature (°C), flow range (kg/h or t/h), and flu