Coriolis flow meters for hydrogen energy

Sensor tubes oscillate at resonance while the medium flows through them. Coriolis forces distort the oscillation phases, and the phase difference between the tubes is proportional to mass flow — the transmitter reports kilograms per hour directly.

Yes — it is a standard duty for Mass-EXPERT: the meters handle hydrogen gas and hydrogen-bearing mixtures at pressures up to 96 MPa (960 bar). Direct mass measurement removes errors caused by gas compressibility.

At H₂ refuelling stations, in hydrogen dosing systems for fuel cells, on laboratory and test benches, and in commercial metering on distribution networks. The media breakdown is in the "Typical media" section of this page.

Gas density varies with pressure and temperature, so volumetric meters need correctors and conversions. A Coriolis meter reads mass directly, and its result does not depend on hydrogen compressibility at the working parameters.

Along with mass flow, density and temperature are read from the same sensor. The density span is 650–2000 kg/m³, and these values go into derived calculations.

Yes — refuelling lines at 35–96 MPa use the PK execution: a wide U-shaped sensor, hydrogen-embrittlement-resistant materials and high-pressure connections. Stations at 70 MPa (700 bar) and 96 MPa (960 bar) are served by size 003..PK.

It can. Hydrogen dosing uses the small-bore PK sensor (DN03–DN08): a larger oscillation amplitude gives a high signal-to-noise ratio, and zero-point stability starts from 0.06 kg/h.

Syngas (H₂ + CO), hydrogen–methane mixtures (H₂ + CH₄), purge gases and other hydrogen-bearing compositions are all covered. Such duties are typical for petrochemicals, metallurgy and power generation.

Tubes and body are made of alloys with low hydrogen susceptibility; the grade is selected for the working pressure and the process composition. This selection removes the risk of failure of the measuring tubes in H₂ service.

For wet hydrogen and streams with H₂S the page recommends the nickel alloy Hastelloy C276/C4, which resists hydrogen corrosion. For other compositions we confirm the grade against a fluid analysis — attach it to your datasheet.

The family covers −196…+350 °C; the cryogenic L execution is rated down to −196 °C. Below that boundary, execution D is used for ultra-low temperatures — a design range of −255…+150 °C for liquefied gases: hydrogen, helium, nitrogen and oxygen. It is available in the split version only, with the electronics remote from the sensor. The type approval covers down to −196 °C, so duties below that boundary are engineered individually per project.

A wide U-shaped PK sensor is the default choice: its tubes are designed for high-pressure gases and give maximum sensitivity to mass flow. Away from ultra-high pressures, other executions of the family can be considered.

Standard execution — up to 10 MPa; "P" — main sizes up to 45 MPa; "PK" — up to 96 MPa for the 003…PK size range. The limit for a specific line size is given in the type description tables.

Three connection types are available for ultra-high pressures: UNF, VCO with an O-ring seal (up to 35 MPa) and VCR with a metal gasket seal (up to 96 MPa). The connection type and mounting dimensions are fixed at the selection stage.

316L, 904L, Hastelloy, titanium, duplex and tantalum. The choice depends on the working pressure and the process composition: PK executions use alloys resistant to hydrogen embrittlement, while baseline grades suit moderate pressures.

The page table lists four models: Mass-EXPERT-003..PK, 004..PK, 008..PK and 015..PK. The 96 MPa maximum applies to 003..PK only; the other models have lower limits that depend on the connection type.

For an execution and a price, describe the duty: medium, flow, working pressure, temperature, connection and whether the area is hazardous. Send it as a datasheet or through the configurator. The quotation is built from size, tube materials, pressure and Ex execution.

Allowable error for gases is ±0.5–1.0% depending on the size; for hydrogen configurations the page states accuracy from ±0.5%. Every meter is calibrated individually on a flow calibration rig.

The meter is entered in the State Register of Measuring Instruments under No. 98506-26. For hydrogen this matters wherever readings feed settlements: commercial metering at stations and product transfer between organisations.

Two routes are open for verification. The base one uses reference flow calibration rigs; the alternative is on-site work with provers, where the sensor stays in the pipeline. Verification equipment — including compact provers — is supplied by the company as well.

The span between highest and lowest flow that keeps the rated accuracy. Hydrogen duty is seldom steady — refuelling, periodic dosing, low flows — which is where a 100:1 span proves useful.

No — measurement does not depend on the flow profile, unlike turbine and ultrasonic meters. This simplifies the layout of hydrogen panels and replacement on existing piping.

There is no rigid position requirement. The sensor is orientated so that service and draining are convenient; for high-pressure lines we agree the layout together with the piping design. Typical guidance is also given in the operating manual.

4–20 mA with HART, RS-485 Modbus RTU, CAN and a frequency/pulse output 0–10,000 Hz; PROFIBUS PA is optional and execution-dependent. Refuelling stations use the ME200 transmitter; several lines are combined over RS-485 in multi-drop mode.

Markings depend on the transmitter. Paired with ME100: the meter is Ex db ib IIC T6 Gb and the sensor Ex ib IIC T6…T1 Gb. Paired with ME200: the meter is Ex db ia IIC T6 Gb plus dust protection Ex ia tb IIIC T80 °C Db, and the sensor Ex ia IIC T6…T1 Ga.

Vibration resistance is confirmed to GOST R IEC 60068-2-6: 5–55 Hz, 0.35 mm amplitude, three axes. On lines with pulsating supply the configuration is checked against the flow parameters during selection.

Warranty — 18 months counted from delivery, or 12 counted from installation if that limit hits sooner. The meter ships with the type description, operating manual, verification procedure and TR CU certificates.

Commissioning supervision, startup, service and verification are performed on the territory of Russia, including hydrogen infrastructure sites. The scope and sequence of works are agreed in advance, together with the delivery.

Servicing is not part of owning this meter: nothing inside moves or wears. Average service life is 20 years; mean time between failures is 100,000 hours.

In many cases replacement can be done without welding: the execution is selected to match the mounting and connection dimensions of the existing unit. Compatibility with Micro Motion or Endress+Hauser meters is checked against a piping drawing or a nameplate photo. ---