Coriolis flow meters for LNG

The stream runs through vibrating measuring tubes, and Coriolis forces shift the phase of their oscillation. Electronics turn that phase shift into mass flow directly — with no density or temperature compensation and no moving parts in the stream.

Coverage spans the whole chain: liquefaction, ship unloading, storage, refuelling and bunkering, regasification. Typical installation points are the terminal intake, truck loading and the feed to vaporisers. The full application list is on this page.

A volumetric meter needs corrections for density and temperature; a Coriolis meter measures the mass itself. On high-value LNG the difference is fundamental: settlements run on kilograms and energy content, not on cubic metres.

Density and temperature are measured alongside mass flow. These feed derived values — volume and conversion to standard conditions — which supports the terminal's mass balance and product quality control.

Free or boil-off gas in the stream limits liquid measurement accuracy, so the metering section is laid out with minimal gas content, and boil-off gas is metered through a dedicated line — see the BOG question. Large line sizes cost more than volumetric options, and cryogenic requirements narrow the material choice: meter selection is always a trade-off.

Execution L is built for this duty: the sensor is rated down to −196 °C, which covers the −162 °C of liquid methane with margin. Tubes and seals use materials that keep their ductility when cooled.

The liquid phase of propane, butane and their mixtures suits execution L, including the sub-zero temperatures used in autonomous gas supply systems. LPG metering is covered in more detail on its dedicated page.

Boil-off gas (BOG) is part of the product balance. Loading and bunkering apply differential metering: a cryogenic mass meter measures the liquid phase, while the boil-off and return-gas line is measured separately — also on a mass basis; net transferred product is the difference. Where two-phase conditions are unavoidable, the arrangement is selected from the skid parameters.

Cryogenic products of air separation plants are within scope: liquid nitrogen at −196 °C and liquid oxygen at −183 °C are measured with execution L, fitting into existing process lines. Both media are listed among the typical ones for this page.

Liquid ethylene and propylene at cryogenic temperatures are handled by execution L as well. These streams occur at pyrolysis plants and liquefied gas storage terminals where accurate metering of the valuable product matters.

Precise dosing of cryogenic media on laboratory and test rigs is one of the listed duties of the line. Small line sizes in execution L hold stable readings at minimal flows.

The U-type tube is the universal option, covering the range from bunkering to regasification. The Δ-type is more compact for tight piping, but in the cryogenic execution it is available only in DN25. The choice is fixed at the selection stage.

Execution L: its working range of −196…+150 °C covers the temperature of liquefied methane. The design includes a thermally insulated body, cryogenic seals and low-temperature-treated tubes, with sensor sizes from DN08 to DN80.

Execution L comes in DN08, DN25, DN40, DN50 and DN80, with up to 120 000 kg/h on DN80. The smaller sizes serve dosing and low flows, while the larger ones cover bunkering and terminal operations.

Measuring tubes are made of 316L stainless steel with cryogenic treatment; seals are PTFE and PEEK, rated for −196…+150 °C. All materials pass cyclic thermal shock testing.

The sensor body can be vacuum-insulated and is filled with inert gas, cutting heat ingress and keeping moisture out. Where the process requires it, an isothermal jacket — option 19S — holds the medium temperature.

For terminals and fuelling stations the page recommends ME200 Ex, a transmitter for hazardous areas with HART and Modbus. ME100 is the alternative, and both line models come in explosion-protected versions. The final scope is agreed from the datasheet.

For cryogenic liquids in execution L the stated figure is ±0.5%; across liquid executions accuracy runs from ±0.1% to ±1.0% depending on line size. Every meter is calibrated on a flow calibration rig.

The State Register number is 98506-26. It gives the meter access to the sphere of state metrological regulation: custody transfer of LNG, metering systems and supplier-to-customer settlements. The metrological documents are published on the site.

Removing the meter for verification is not necessary: it can be checked on site with provers, or on a calibration rig using reference meters. The approved method covers both routes, and the verification hardware — compact provers and pipe provers — is supplied by the company.

Density supports quality control and conversion of volume to standard conditions; the energy value (MWh, Gcal) is calculated by the skid computer: the mass meter provides mass and density, and the system converts them into energy using composition data. This simplifies the terminal's balance and settlements.

No. Coriolis meters do not need straight runs — unlike turbine and ultrasonic devices. This simplifies cryogenic piping layout, and replacing a meter on an existing line does not require rebuilding the pipework.

Orientation is chosen so the liquid does not stagnate and the sensor drains on shutdown and cool-down: vapour formation makes this critical in cryogenic service. Project-specific guidance is given at the design stage.

4–20 mA with HART, RS-485 Modbus RTU, CAN and a frequency/pulse output come as standard; PROFIBUS PA is optional and execution-dependent. That is sufficient for integration with a terminal DCS or a metering system.

On LNG sites all instruments are Ex-rated. The ME200 transmitter carries Ex db ia IIC T6 Gb, with dust protection Ex ia tb IIIC T80 °C Db available; ME100 is marked Ex db ib IIC T6 Gb. The sensor takes its level from the head, up to Ex ia IIC T6…T1 Ga.

Vibration qualification follows GOST R IEC 60068-2-6 — three axes, 5–55 Hz, 0.35 mm displacement. Where pumps or compressors create pulsation, the duty is reviewed at selection and its parameters are captured in the datasheet.

Fill in the datasheet or use the online configurator: medium, flow rate, pressure, temperature, connection, hazardous-area requirements. The price depends on the combination of line size, materials, pressure and Ex execution; the quotation follows the review of your request.

An execution is selected to match existing process and mounting dimensions; in many cases the replacement needs no welding. Compatibility with meters already installed (including Micro Motion and Endress+Hauser) is checked from a piping drawing or nameplate photo.

Each meter ships with a metrological package: type description, operating manual, verification procedure and TR CU certificates. Warranty: eighteen months from delivery or twelve months from installation — the earlier deadline applies.

Routine maintenance is not required: the meter has no wear items. Service life averages twenty years, with a hundred thousand hours between failures. Commissioning supervision, startup and verification are handled in Russia. ---