Coriolis flow meters for polymer production

Product flows through oscillating measuring tubes, and Coriolis forces produce a phase shift between the tube oscillations that is proportional to mass flow. The meter outputs mass directly, in kilograms per hour, without converting volume. Viscosity, density and flow profile do not affect the result.

Wherever a component's mass matters: monomer feed, synthesis, catalyst and additive injection, extrusion and pelletising. Suspension PVC, synthetic rubber production and regrind pelletising are covered as separate duties. The full process list is in the table on this page.

Density and temperature come from the same sensor. The density measuring range is 650–2000 kg/m³; temperature is read by the built-in sensor. In polymer service one meter covers three parameters instead of several separate instruments.

PE, PP and PVC melts are viscous — the page quotes up to tens of thousands of centipoise — and viscosity changes with grade or temperature. Mass measurement does not depend on viscosity, so readings stay stable where volumetric and electromagnetic meters show unacceptable error.

Coriolis measurement is limited by free gas — bubbles spoil liquid accuracy. Big line sizes lose the cost battle against volumetric meters, while aggressive or very hot media require dedicated materials and executions. Meter choice balances accuracy, footprint and budget.

It does, and this is a core duty on this page. For melts the straight-tube L sensor is recommended: straight tubes keep hydraulic resistance low and leave no stagnant zones. Mass accuracy stays independent of viscosity.

Yes — the meters handle gases as well; allowable error for gas is ±0.5–1.0% depending on size. Ethylene, propylene and other monomers in the gas phase use standard executions; complex gas-liquid regimes are reviewed separately against the flow data.

Yes. Catalyst micro-dosing is handled by standard sensors, and the accumulated dose is tracked by the totaliser. Measurement repeatability holds the process stoichiometry. The sensor is sized for the catalyst working flow, and the catalyst composition is attached to the datasheet.

Initiators are dosed with the same equipment. This is one of the most sensitive points: too little initiator prevents the reaction from starting, too much changes the polymer properties. The meter records the actual dose, and tube materials are selected for the initiator composition.

The gas stream from degassing and stripping is measured as a gaseous medium: for gases the allowable error is ±0.5–1.0%. If the stream is multiphase, the scheme is selected from the actual flow data — rate, pressure, temperature and composition — supplied in the datasheet.

For chlorine-containing monomers, acid catalysts and corrosive media, wetted parts are made of 316L stainless steel or Hastelloy C-276; tantalum and titanium are available. The material follows the medium composition and temperature, so a fluid analysis is needed before ordering.

The straight-tube L type. Straight measuring tubes minimise hydraulic resistance, leave no stagnant zones and drain and wash easily between grades — critical in melt service. L sensor sizes run from DN08 to DN50.

The jacket is option 19S. It holds the medium temperature and is needed where the product freezes or crystallises in the tubes during shutdowns, and in hot processes: the isothermal version covers +150…+350 °C, with steam or electric heating.

For melts at +200…+350 °C the C execution is used, rated up to +350 °C. The electronics are mounted remotely — the extension cable reaches up to 15 m — and thermal isolation protects the transmitter from pipeline heat.

Yes. For PET, polystyrene and PVC compounds there are compact configurations with hygienic connections (Clamp, DIN 11851) and a finished surface — roughness Ra < 0.8 µm.

Flanges to GOST, ANSI and DIN, plus threaded connections; hygienic duties use Clamp and DIN 11851. The connection type and mounting dimensions are fixed at the selection stage so the sensor fits the designed or existing piping.

The datasheet (or the online configurator) needs a short list: medium and viscosity, flow rate, temperature and pressure, materials, connection, hazardous-area class. We answer with the selected execution and a quotation; line size, materials, pressure rating and Ex execution drive the price.

Accuracy is set by the line size: liquid duties span ±0.1% to ±1.0%. Catalyst micro-dosing uses the 0.1% class, and gaseous monomers are rated at ±0.5–1.0%. Calibration is individual — every sensor is calibrated on a flow calibration rig.

The meter is entered under No. 98506-26. That is the basis for use in state-regulated metrology, including commercial accounting and supplier-customer settlements; for polymer plants it covers accounting of components and product.

Verification is required and follows the approved procedure. Either the meter goes to a flow calibration rig with reference meters, or a prover is connected on site — without removing the sensor from the pipeline. The company also supplies pipe provers and compact provers.

It is the ratio of maximum to minimum flow within which the rated accuracy holds. In dosing duty one line size covers both the main stream and small additive flows, including start-up and grade-change regimes.

No straight-run lengths are required — measurement is independent of the flow profile. The sensor occupies only its own length, so it fits into the tight piping of an operating production line without reworking adjacent sections.

Orientation can vary; in melt service the sensor is positioned to drain itself. That protects the tubes from product solidifying during shutdowns. The operating manual contains the installation guidance, and the piping layout is agreed for your unit.

Start from the piping drawing or a nameplate photo: they are used to check mounting dimensions, connections and interfaces. In many cases the replacement is done without welding — this applies to Micro Motion and Endress+Hauser meters as well.

Signal set: 4–20 mA with HART, Modbus RTU over RS-485, CAN and a 0–10,000 Hz frequency/pulse output; PROFIBUS PA appears only in some executions. The totaliser stores accumulated mass and passes it to the accounting system.

Dust protection Ex ia tb IIIC T80 °C Db is available with ME200 only. ME200 itself carries Ex db ia IIC T6 Gb, and its sensor — Ex ia IIC T6…T1 Ga. With ME100: transmitter Ex db ib IIC T6 Gb, sensor Ex ib IIC T6…T1 Gb.

Every meter ships with the paperwork needed to put it into service: operating manual, type description, verification procedure and EAEU (TR CU) certificates. The warranty runs on two clocks — 18 months from delivery and 12 months from installation — and the earlier expiry governs.

Yes: commissioning supervision, start-up, service and verification are performed on the territory of Russia by the manufacturer. Polymer producers get support from first commissioning through periodic verification.

Planned maintenance is not part of owning this sensor: there are no moving parts or wear items in the design. The rated figures are 20 years of average service life and 100,000 hours of mean time between failures.

It can. A sensor arrives either on its own or already mounted in a metering line or skid; such units can include verification equipment. Scope and tie-in are defined per project. ---