Large line size flowmeters
Suppliers have developed flowmeters that measure up to 16 inch line sizes. This happens to be a limit also shared by vortex and positive displacement meters. Is this a technology limit or are larger Coriolis meters possible?
There are technological barriers to creating a larger Coriolis meter such as a 20 inch meter. But perhaps they can be overcome. One problem is finding a meter tube that can be effectively vibrated in a way that mass flow can be measured. Due to its size, this may require finding stronger and lighter materials of construction. Another problem is the weight and size of a 20 inch meter. Finding stronger and lighter materials of construction may also solve this problem.
Several manufacturers have readied the designs of larger meters, but are waiting for the right market application to introduce them. The right market application involves very expensive fluid with high accuracy requirements with a significant throughput. It is likely that 20 inch Coriolis meters will happen when a manufacturer decides it is a worthwhile investment to make in expanding their product line.
Developing higher accuracy gas flowmeters
This study shows that Coriolis meters for gas typically have 0.35 percent accuracy, while Coriolis meters for liquids can measure accuracies as high as 0.05 percent. Because gases are lighter and less dense than liquids, it is, at present, impossible for Coriolis meters for gas to achieve the same accuracy levels as those for liquids.
Here the solution again seems to be to find materials of construction that are lighter and more responsive to the less dense gas meters and yet can be subject to vibration or oscillation. Not until this can be done will Coriolis meters be able to seriously compete with ultrasonic meters for certain custody transfer of natural gas applications. This especially applies to those with 12 inch and up line sizes. This is a serious subject for research and development, but it is not clear what the technological limitations are.
Addressing the vibration problem
Coriolis meter body vibrations can be thrown off by external vibrations from heavy machinery, railroad trains or trucks, or electrical machinery. It is not clear how prevalent a problem this is, but it is a known problem for Coriolis meters. It is also a problem for vortex meters, and vortex suppliers addressed the issue through software. End-users are advised to check for potential vibration issues before installing a Coriolis meter. Apart from taking these possibilities into account in mounting the meter, it is not clear how to address this problem. Some suppliers, however, say they have addressed it. This is a frontier of research for Coriolis meters.