Coriolis Mass Flowmeter Correction for Two-Phase Flow Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Coriolis mass flowmeters experience significantly reduced measurement accuracy in the presence of two-phase flows due to gas inclusions, which affect the mechanical interaction with the flowing medium, making it difficult to achieve reliable operation and accurate mass flow measurements.

Innovation Solution

A method that detects the onset and end of two-phase flow intervals, stores two-phase flow measurement values, and uses state variables from subsequent single-phase flow intervals to correct these values through a correction calculation, utilizing an artificial neural network to enhance measurement accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If Coriolis mass flowmeter is used for two-phase flow measurement, then measurement coverage is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement coverageVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of two-phase flow conditions and stores the raw measurement data before single-phase flow occurs. By capturing and preserving the two-phase measurement data in advance, the system enables subsequent correction using reliable single-phase reference measurements, thereby improving overall measurement precision without sacrificing measurement coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses single-phase flow measurements as feedback to correct two-phase flow measurement errors. By comparing two-phase measurements against subsequent single-phase reference measurements, the system identifies and compensates for measurement deviations caused by gas inclusions, maintaining high precision across both flow conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If gas inclusions are present in two-phase flow, then measurement coverage is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement coverageVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the harmful effect of gas inclusions into a beneficial measurement opportunity. By detecting two-phase flow conditions caused by gas inclusions and storing the associated measurement data, the system can later use single-phase flow measurements to calculate correction factors that compensate for the gas inclusion effects, transforming a measurement obstacle into a correctable data point

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Measurement precision

If correction calculation using single-phase flow data is applied, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex mechanical or hardware-based correction mechanisms with software-based data processing and calculation algorithms. By using control and evaluation unit software to perform correction calculations based on stored two-phase data and single-phase reference measurements, the system achieves high measurement precision while minimizing additional physical complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method improves measurement accuracy from several tens of percent to around 0.5% of the measured value by correcting two-phase flow measurements using single-phase flow data, particularly suitable for applications like ship refueling.

Implementation Method 1

at least one measuring tube through which the medium to be measured flows is excited to oscillation by an oscillation generator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

The mass-bearing medium reacts on the wall of the measuring tube due to the Coriolis inertial force caused by two orthogonal motions that of the flow and that of the measuring tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoriolis force: Coriolis Force

Data Source

PatentUS12523508B2Method for determining flow measurement values of a Coriolis mass flowmeter in the presence of a of a two-phase flow

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 CYARA SOLUTIONS PTY LTD

AI summary

A method is disclosed for determining flow measurement values of a Coriolis mass flowmeter in the presence of a two-phase flow of a two-phase medium having a gas phase and the subsequent presence of a single-phase flow of a single-phase medium not having a gas phase. The method includes: detecting a start time of a two-phase measurement interval at an onset of the two-phase flow; detecting an end time of the two-phase measurement interval at an end of the presence of the two-phase flow; determining and at least partially storing two-phase flow measurement values of the two-phase flow; determining at least one state variable of the single-phase medium; determining subsequently corrected two-phase flow measurement values as at least indirect input variables of a correction calculation; and outputting the corrected two-phase flow measurement values as individual values or as part of a cumulative flow measurement value.