How Coriolis flowmeters got their name – and kept it

Coriolis flowmeters hold the distinction of being the only type of flowmeter that measures mass directly.
Other devices — such as thermal meters, mass flow controllers, and multivariable flowmeters — either derive mass flow by multiplying volumetric flow by density, or by relying on other indirect indicators. One exception is that some mass flow controllers also utilise the Coriolis principle.
Coriolis meters can measure both liquids and gases. However, they perform more effectively with liquids due to their greater density.
The operating principle of a Coriolis meter involves the momentum of the fluid causing deflection of the flow tube. As gases are less dense, they struggle to produce enough momentum to deflect the tube effectively. While straight-tube Coriolis meters have found success in liquid measurement, applying them to gases has proven more challenging.
A major application area for Coriolis meters is in downstream petroleum operations, where they are increasingly replacing positive-displacement meters. Unlike these mechanical meters, Coriolis meters contain no moving parts—aside from the...