Gas Flow Meters

Gas flow meters are designed to measure the movement of gases through pipelines and systems, with several key technologies suited to different applications. Coriolis meters directly measure gas mass flow by detecting the twisting of vibrating tubes, providing excellent accuracy and additional information such as density, though they are typically more expensive and better suited for higher-pressure applications. Thermal mass flow meters determine gas flow by measuring the heat transfer from a heated sensor to the surrounding gas stream, offering a reliable way to measure mass flow without the need for pressure or temperature compensation, making them popular in clean gas applications and process monitoring. Vortex meters sense the frequency of vortices shed by an obstruction placed in the gas stream, and this frequency is proportional to the flow rate; they are rugged, have no moving parts, and work well for gases like compressed air, natural gas, and steam, though accuracy can decrease at very low flow rates. Each of these technologies provides a balance of accuracy, cost, and suitability depending on the gas type, pressure, and process requirements.