Simulator of Fluid Flow Measurement with

Coriolis Effect for Education and Training of

Metrology
Nufiqurakhmah1, Laksana Angga Widoto2
1

Engineering Physics, Sepuluh NopemberInstitute of Technology

Surabaya, Indonesia
1

nufiqurakhmah@mhs.ep.its.ac.id

Human Resources Development Centre of Metrology

Bandung, Indonesia
2

anggawidoto@gmail.com

Abstract Measurement of flow rate is an important

parameter in an industrial process. The instrument used is called
a flow meter. Coriolis mass flow meter is one of the flow meter
technologies are relatively new to utilizing the coriolis effect.
Limited references and expensive price compared to other types
of flow meters causing training on the working principle of the
coriolis mass flow meter for metrology resources are still very
limited. Meanwhile, many industries began using this instrument
because of several advantages, including high rangeability and
accuracy. Therefore, need a simulator demonstration coriolis
mass flow meter for the benefit of education and training of
skilled labor candidate metrology.
The focus of this paper is to show the working principle of the
coriolis mass flow meter through the simulator demonstration.
The simulator consists of several components, namely flow tube
as a fluid flows, motor as a driver tube, and TCRT 5000 sensors
to detect oscillation pattern of the inlet and outlet tube. Results
obtained in the form of a voltage value that is sent through the
PLX-DAQ software and visualized in graphical form.
Keywordsflow rate; the coriolis effect; coriolis mass flow
meter, simulator demonstration

I. INTRODUCTION
Flow rate measurement using a flow meter instrument in
the industry is divided into two types, that mass and
volumetric. Some of the information flow meter with
volumetric flow rate as the differential pressure flow meter,
turbine flow meter, and positive displacement flow meter has
been widely applied in industry. However, compared to this
types, flow meter with a mass flow rate has several advantages
including not depend on the flow profile, viscosity, and fluid
density.
One type of flow meter with flow rate mass is coriolis
mass flow meter (taken from the French civil engineer,
Gustave Gaspard Coriolis). Physically, the coriolis mass flow
meter consists of a pipe which is bent as primary element,
driven by the drive coil as driver elements. Coriolis mass flow
meter works by interfering the flow of the fluid flowing

through the flow tube. The flow in this tube causes phase
difference between inlet and outlet. The resulting phase
difference will be proportional to the mass flow rate of fluid
particles. However, elements of the coriolis mass flow meter
are shrouded in a casing, so that the working principle of this
flow meter could not be observed directly.
In Indonesia, coriolis mass flow meter is still relatively new
when compared to other types of flow meters. Expensive prices
and limited references lead training on the working principle of
the coriolis mass flow meter is still difficult. On the other hand,
many industries have started using the coriolis mass flow meter
to measure the flow rate of fluid, such as oil & gas industry,
pharmaceutical, and food industries. Therefore, it necessary an
instrument as working-principle illustrator of coriolis mass
flow meter. This paper describes the design of a simulator
demonstration coriolis mass flow eter that developed can
provide important information in the form of variation
deviation indicator on both sides of the tube due to the mass of
the fluid particles move.
II. THE PRINCIPLE OF FLUID FLOW MEASUREMENT OF
CORIOLIS MASS FLOW METER
Coriolis effect is defined as the phenomenon of deflection
(deflection direction) motion of an object in a rotating frame
of reference. Coriolis effect gave rise to an internal forces due
to the rotation of particles in a rotating motion, which is called
the coriolis force. The principle of measurement of coriolis
mass flow meter utilizes the coriolis force that appears in the
system that rotates and oscillates (vibrates). Fluid passing
through the vibrating tube is forced to have a transverse
acceleration as it moves towards the peak amplitude of
vibration. When moving away from the amplitude of
vibration, acceleration will be reduced. This shows the phase
difference. The phase difference is proportional to the mass
flow rate.

tube
Sensor

Magnetic
sensor
(electrodynamic pickup),
detect the phasa shift or
time lag in inlet and
outlet.

Optic
sensor
(TCRT 5000),
detect
the
patterns
of
oscillation
in
inlet and outlet.

Fig. 1. Measurement Principal of Coriolis Mass Flow Meter[1]

As the system shown in Fig. 1 for a straight-tube, flow tube

subjected external force FE. FE derived from driver element
(drive coil) which causes the flow tube vibrates at a certain
frequency excitation. Excitation frequency is at a natural
frequency of the flow tube, which minimize the energy
required for the vibrating of flow tube. Mathematically, the
general equation of coriolis force (FC) is expressed as :
Fc = 2 m v
(1)
with q = m v is mass flow rate and is vector rotation.[1]
When fluid is not flowing in the vibrated flow tube, the
coriolis force working equal to zero (Fc = 0). When the fluid
begins to flow in the flow tube, the coriolis force will arise due
to the velocity of the fluid particles in a rotating motion (Fc
0). At the inlet, the coriolis force tends to slow down the
movement of the vibrating flow tube. However, at the outlet,
the coriolis force tends to accelerate the movement of the
vibrating flow tube. When the fluid begins to flow, the coriolis
force will cause a phase shift along the flow tube. The phase
shift is proportional to the mass flow rate. The magnitude of the
mass flow rate can be calculated by measuring the phase shift
between the two position sensors, S1 and S2.[1]
III. DESCRIPTION OF FLUID FLOW MEASUREMENT SYSTEM
SIMULATOR WITH CORIOLIS EFFECT
Components of coriolis mass flow meter consists of flow
tube, drive coil, and pickoff coil. In designs, components that
used are different with the actual instrument but can display
the function of coriolis mass flow meter.

Table 1. Comparison of CMF Instrument and Prototype Simulator of CMF

Componen

CMF Instrument

Prototype
Simulator

Primary
elemnt (flow
tube)

Composing
materials
including stainless steel,
Hastelloy, and tantalum

Material frrom
milliard
hose
(plastic material)

Driver
element

Drive coil, consist of

magnet and coil that
placed on the opposite

Form of
magnet

two

Fig. 2. Prototype Simulator Fluid Flow Measurement with Coriolis Effect

and its Parts

a. Holder (dudukan) : as a place of primary element (flow

tube) and driver element (motor servo). Wooden holder
used with dimensions of 60 cm 20 cm 40 cm and a
thickness of 1 cm.
b. Servo arm trajectories (lintasan lengan motor servo) : a
straight line with the dimensions of 5 cm 10 cm to
convert rotational motion into translational motion.
c. Primary elements (elemen primer) : a flow tube, as the
flow of the fluid phase difference will be observed on the
inlet and outlet. The primary elements used were form
milliard hose with arch 80 cm long, 3/8 inch in diameter,
and thickness of 0.3 cm. Considerations for selecting hose
milliard which includes plastic material as the primary
element of the prototype is a test performed at a low flow
rate.
d. Driver elements (elemen driver) : a servo motor with an
arm length used was 12 cm and the two magnets are
mutually interacted. Both magnets are a magnetic hard
drive (on the arm servo motor) and neodymium magnet
material (in the middle of the primary elements). Both
magnets interacted to mutually repel. The experiments
results based on good combination of the two magnets is 4
cm.
e. TCRT 5000 Sensor (sensor TCRT 5000) : is optical sensor,
as a proximity sensor that measures the distance to the
object detectors based on the reflection of infrared light
from the transmitter is received by the receiver. TCRT
5000 sensors used to detect differences in the pattern of
oscillations on both sides of the primary element.

Based on datasheet[4], it is known that the working range of

the sensor is 0.2 mm up to 15 mm. Sensor results are not
linear outside range work. Therefore, to produce a linear
relationship between distance and voltage direction, it may
be desirable to limit the range of particular work. Working
range of the sensor is initially 0.2 mm to 15 mm narrowed
down to 2 mm to 16 mm.
f. Mikrokontroler : Arduino Uno, to adjust the servo arm
position, and process the TCRT 5000 sensor output and
display in the form of voltage levels.
IV. DATA AND ANALYSIS
Tests carried out in the workshop Engineering Physics ITB. Tests were conducted at three test points, the valve
opening 0%, 50%, and 100%. The data output is displayed in
the plots of voltage versus time.
Furthermore, statistical analysis is done by crosscorrelation method to determine the differences in the
oscillation pattern detection inlet and outlet of the primary
elements of each test point. Cross-correlation method has two
input variables. Letting the voltage level at the sensor 1 is the
variable x and the voltage level at the sensor 2 is the variable
y, then this method can be determined through the results of
the cross-correlation Rxy. Cross-correlation coefficient has a
range between 0 to 1. The close to 1 indicates no difference in
the detection of deviation patterns on either side of the primary
elements.

flow. At the same oscillation frequency, the Coriolis force that

increasingly large. As a result, the pattern of deviation on
either side of the primary elements of the different
The coriolis force can also be indicated by a time lag (),
according to the equation:
m = C
(2)
The equation shows that the more mass of fluid particles
flowing, lag () that occurs between the inlet and outlet sides
of the primary elements getting bigger. Results of tests
performed accordance with the basic theory, which there is a
difference in the detection of oscillation pattern before and
after the fluid flowing through the primary element. The
difference in the detection of oscillation pattern indicates the
influence of the coriolis force, although not quite
representative. In the enlargement of valve opening, the lag is
not likely to change significantly. This can be shown by the
plot in Fig. 4, Fig. 5, and Fig. 6 as follows.

Plot Korelasi Silang Level Tegangan Detektor 1 dan Detektor 2 untuk Tiap - Tiap Titik Uji
0.9
bukaan valve 0%
0.8
bukaan valve 50%
bukaan valve 100%

Nilai Korelasi Silang Rxy

0.7

Fig. 4. Plot Data in a Full Wave of Opening Valve 0%

0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0

50

100

150
200
250
Indeks Korelasi Silang Rxy

300

350

400

Fig. 3. Cross-Correlation Plot of Voltage Level of Sensor 1 and Sensor 2

Based on Fig. 3 maximum cross-correlation value (Rxy-max )

is at valve opening 0% (red - value 0.7062), than 50% (green
value 0.8394), and 100% (blue - value 0.8474). The
difference of Rxy-max at each test point indicates a difference in
the pattern deviation detection which tends to shrink with
increasing valve opening. This is contrary to the basic
principle of the Coriolis mass flowmeter instruments, namely,
as can be shown by the following mathematical equation (1).
The above equation (1) shows that the larger the mass flow
rate, the particle mass (m) is contained in the greater fluid

Fig. 5. Plot Data in a Full Wave of Opening Valve 50%

Fig. 6. Plot Data in a Full Wave of Opening Valve 100%

Table 2. Data Value of a Full Wave of Opening Valve

b.
Opening
Valve

Time (s)

2.075

Sensor 1(V)

3.84

Sensor
(V)

c.

3.80

d.
2.675

0.25

0.34

2.7

0.23

0.35

2.95

3.81

3.80

0.2

3.86

3.81

0.75

1.52

1.30

0.775

1.36

1.35

1.075

3.84

3.78

0.35

3.84

3.84

0.95

1.45

1.37

0.975

1.42

1.66

1.225

3.85

3.80

0%

e.

50%

100%

Based on the data plot in Fig. 4, Fig. 5, and Fig. 6, it can be

seen that less likely to happen changes in the value of the
maximum voltage that can be reached by both sensor signal on
each test point. Table 2 takes data from PLX DAQ show the
value of tests performed in the consistent range of voltage
value 3.50 V 4.00 V. However, the value of the minimum
voltage that can be reached by both sensors tend to increase
with enlargement of valve opening. This is because the
existing actuating mechanism oscillations that occur in the
primary elements (flow tube) is only half full wave. When the
servo arm moves forward, the primary element of the sensor
will move closer to its initial position. However, when the
servo arm moves backwards, the primary element will return
to its original position and do not deviate in the opposite
direction. Thus, if there is a lag between the two signals can
only be observed when both the signal moves towards the
minimum voltage level.
Differences were not significant lag between the two
signals at the valve opening 50% and 100% can be caused by
several factors.
a.

Characteristics valve used is a type of quick opening. The

possibility of fluid flow velocity at the time of valve
opening 50% and 100% is relatively constant. It can be
shown from the range of the minimum voltage value at

both test points tend to be close together, that is 1.30 V

1.36 V on opening valve 50% and 1.37 V 1.42 V at
100% valve opening.
Not involve the natural frequency and the frequency of
the primary elements of the driving element.
Differences in characteristics of the two sensors based on
testing that has been done.
The primary elements of the material used were plastic
hose with a single design - tube so vulnerable affected by
external vibration. External vibration can be derived from
the floor or mechanical activity that takes place in the
area of testing. This causes the sensor is difficult to detect
any changes due to fluid mass flow.
he larger tube geometry (distance between the inlet and
outlet) causing zero-point is unstable due to external
interference increases. This causes the signal ratio to
noise are same.
V. CONCLUSION

Based on tests performed can be concluded as follows:

a. Prototype simulator of fluid flow measurement with
Coriolis effects are made based on the Arduino Uno
microcontroller using TCRT 5000 sensors that are
integrated with Parallax Data Acquisition software
and spreadsheet application program for the
education and training of metrology.
b. 5000 TCRT sensor has the characteristics of nonlinear, but the linear state can be obtained by limiting
the measurement range.
c. The prototype simulator flow measurement with
Coriolis effects can already indicate a difference in
the detection of patterns of oscillation between the
two sides of the primary elements based on the value
of the maximum peak of the cross-correlation, ie
0.7062 (0% valve opening), 0.8394 (50% valve
opening), and 0.8474 (valve opening 100 %). The
larger the valve opening, the differences tend to be
smaller oscillation pattern detection.
d. The prototype simulator flow measurement with
Coriolis effects can differentiate the presence or
absence of fluid flow conditions based on the
presence or absence of lag. However, differences in
lag that occurs on the valve opening 50% and 100%
more likely to be insignificant.

REFERENCES
[1]

Apple, Cathy; Anklin, Martin; Drahm, Wolfgang. 2003. Mass

Flowmeters, Coriolis - Instrument Engineers Handbook: Process
Measurement and Analysis, 4rd edition, Vol. 1.

[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]

OMEGA Vol. 4 Flow and Level Measurement Handbook, Transaction in

Measurement and Control, OMEGA Press.
Abdulloh. Coriolis Meter. PT. Pertamina (Persero) RU V Balikpapan.
Document Number: 83760 rev 1.7., TCRT 5000 Reflective Optical
Sensor with Transistor Output, Vishay Semiconductor, 17 Agustus 2009.
Fahy, Frank. 2003. Fondation of Engineering Acoustics. Great Britain:
MPG Books Ltd, Cornwall, UK.
Halliday, David; Resnick, Robert; Krane, Kenneth S. 1992. Physics 4rd
edition. Canada: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Chapter 37: Magnetic
Properties of Matter (hal. 811 814).

[7]

[8]
[9]

Kopp, J.G., D.J. Lomas, B.G Liptak, W.H. Boyes. 2003. Vortex and
Fluidic Flowmeters - Instrument Engineers Handbook: Process
Measurement and Analysis, 4rd edition, Vol. 1.
Kurniadi, Deddy. Slide Perkuliahan TF 3101 - Metode Pengukuran:
Pengukuran Aliran. Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung.
Liptak, B.G., H.M. Hashemian. 2003. Cross-Correlation Flow Metering Instrument Engineers Handbook: Process Measurement and Analysis,
4rd edition, Vol. 1.