Valero BOT Instrumentation Practice Test

The Coriolis flow meter operates based on the principle of measuring changes in momentum to determine the mass flow rate of a fluid. This type of meter consists of a flow tube that is vibrated at its resonant frequency. When fluid flows through the vibrating tube, it causes a change in frequency and phase shift of the vibrations due to the Coriolis effect, which is related to the momentum of the moving fluid. By measuring the properties of the vibration changes, the Coriolis flow meter can deliver highly accurate readings of mass flow rate and density, making it suitable for various applications, particularly in complex processes where precision is crucial.

Other types of flow meters operate on different principles: thermal mass flow meters measure the heat transfer of a heated element in the fluid, pitot tubes calculate flow velocity based on static and dynamic pressure differences, and ultrasonic flow meters use sound waves to measure the flow rate by evaluating the time it takes for an ultrasonic signal to travel with and against the flow. These mechanisms are distinct from the momentum change principle utilized by Coriolis flow meters.