Coriolis flow meters for LPG

The sensor works through vibrating measuring tubes. As liquefied gas moves through them, the Coriolis force shifts the oscillations in phase, and the amount of shift measures mass flow. Mass is produced directly — no conversion through density or temperature.

At gas filling stations and distribution points, during truck and rail tank car loading, gas holder filling and transshipment at tank farms. The full range of duties is listed in the application table on this page.

Along with mass, the meter reports density and temperature of the liquefied gas; the density range is 650–2000 kg/m³. Billing and reporting rely on mass and its total, while temperature and density serve process monitoring.

The density of a propane-butane mixture changes with temperature and composition, so a volumetric meter needs corrections and density correctors. A mass meter measures mass directly, and the result does not depend on which LPG blend arrives at the skid.

Free gas in the stream reduces liquid measurement accuracy, so lines are designed with pressure head to keep the gas dissolved. Vapour displaced during loading is not lost: it returns through a separate line and is accounted for by the differential method — see the question on both phases. Pressure and composition are checked against the datasheet.

Propane, butane and commercial propane-butane mixtures in the liquid phase are typical media for these meters. Composition affects only density, not accuracy: mass is measured directly, so winter and summer blends are metered to the same accuracy.

It fits: loading and unloading is one of the core duties on this page, covering receipt from truck and rail tank cars into the tank farm. Dispatched mass is taken from the meter and passed to acts and billing through the DCS.

Gas-phase service is available: the allowable error for gas is ±0.5–1.0% depending on line size. Loading and transfer use differential metering: a high-accuracy meter measures the liquid phase, while the vapour return line is measured separately — also on a mass basis. Net delivered product is liquid mass minus returned vapour mass.

The execution family spans −196…+350 °C, so the working range is wider than any weather at LPG skids. The temperature execution is selected for the process and product; northern installations are accounted for during selection.

For wet gas and H2S impurities, corrosion-resistant tube materials are selected — Hastelloy C276/C4. Clean propane, butane and blends are handled by standard 316L stainless steel; the choice follows the fluid analysis in the datasheet.

At gas holder filling the meter provides accurate dosing and automatic mass logging — the data feed billing. Such points are normally covered by a standard pressure execution and a U-shaped sensor of the matching line size.

Typical LPG skids operate up to 2.5 MPa, where a standard execution rated to 10 MPa is sufficient. P execution is rated above 10 MPa, up to 45 MPa depending on line size, and is used in special installations such as discharge lines.

The primary choice for LPG skids is a U-shaped sensor: it spans DN03–DN250 and gives high sensitivity on gas service. Straight-tube or compact sensors are considered when product viscosity, cleaning duty or limited installation space requires them.

For a typical skid at a gas filling station: a standard U-shaped sensor with 316L tubes, an ME200 Ex transmitter and RS-485 Modbus. Gas holder filling and truck loading use a U-shaped sensor of the required size with flanged connections.

The standard material is 316L stainless steel; the range also includes Hastelloy C276/C4, duplex, 904L, titanium and tantalum. Clean liquefied gases are fine with 316L, while corrosion-resistant alloys are selected when impurities are present.

Send the datasheet: medium, liquid-phase flow rate, pressure, temperature, connection and Ex requirements. Alternatively use the online configurator. What sets the price is the combination of parameters — line size, materials, pressure rating and hazardous-area execution.

We check mounting dimensions and interfaces first: in many cases replacement requires no welding and keeps the existing piping. For meters installed earlier, including Micro Motion and Endress+Hauser, a nameplate photo or a skid drawing is enough to start.

Liquid accuracy is between ±0.1% and ±0.15% depending on execution and line size — the level at which the meters are accepted for custody transfer. Each meter is calibrated individually on a flow calibration rig.

The State Register entry, No. 98506-26, confirms pattern approval and opens the way to state-regulated metrology: LPG custody transfer and settlements between supplier and customer. The metrological documents are available on the website.

Formally, verification runs under the approved procedure; in practice there are two routes: a flow calibration rig in the lab, or provers directly on site, with the meter left in the line. Verification assets — from pipe proving units to compact provers — are supplied by us.

Loading and unloading run at varying rates, and between operations the flow drops almost to zero. A 100:1 turndown is the ratio of maximum to minimum flow within which rated accuracy holds, keeping metering accurate across all operating modes.

The meter does not call for straight pipe runs — it can sit close to bends and valves, which keeps the skid short. A turbine or ultrasonic alternative would need reserved upstream and downstream lengths.

Sensor orientation is free; for products that tend to foul or solidify it is mounted to drain itself. On loading skids this simplifies servicing — liquefied gas does not stay trapped in the measuring tubes.

Two marking sets cover Ex service. ME100: transmitter Ex db ib IIC T6 Gb and sensor Ex ib IIC T6…T1 Gb. ME200: transmitter Ex db ia IIC T6 Gb, sensor Ex ia IIC T6…T1 Ga, and dust protection Ex ia tb IIIC T80 °C Db.

DCS connection: two 4–20 mA outputs with HART, RS-485 Modbus RTU, CAN or a pulse output of 0–10,000 Hz. The system receives mass flow, total, density, temperature and diagnostics; up to 32 devices can share one RS-485 line.

The meter withstands vibration as confirmed under GOST R IEC 60068-2-6 — 0.35 mm at 5–55 Hz across three axes. On skids with pumps, the installation is arranged so that vibration does not upset the zero point.

A full paperwork set travels with every meter: TR CU certificates, type description, operating manual and verification methodology. Warranty boundaries: 12 months from installation, 18 months from delivery — the earlier one applies.

Support stays local: crews come to the site for commissioning supervision, start-up support, servicing and periodic verification. No part of the cycle requires shipping the equipment across the border.

There is no service schedule for a mass meter — no wear-prone parts inside. Its documented life figures: an average service life of 20 years and an MTBF of 100,000 hours.

Whole skids are available as well: we build LPG metering units, from a single line up to a custody transfer system. Scope and layout follow the project. ---