On the performance of a Coriolis Mass Flowmeter (CMF): experimental measurement and FSI simulation

Abstract

Computational methods that make use of single one-way Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI) for modeling the Coriolis Mass Flowmeters' (CMFs) operations are prone to inaccuracies. These errors are due to their limitations in describing a fully coupled fluid structure interaction. The aim of this study is to produce a CFD model of a CMF that uses an iterative two-way coupling of fluid structure interaction to accurately study its performance. The computational findings are benchmarked against accurate experimental measurements of the U-shape CFM. The deviation between the computed results and experimental measurements remains about 0.1% which is deemed acceptable. This reduction of uncertainties is largely attributed to the capability of the model to describe the effects of tube vibrations on the meter's operation.