Pressure drop optimization of a Coriolis-type flowmeter based on orthogonal method

Coriolis flowmeters are used when direct mass flow rates and density measurements are desired. This phenomenon is achieved by directing the passing fluid to a U-shaped tube, resulting in Coriolis force. With the help of the Coriolis force, a phase shift occurs between two sides of the measurement tube. Furthermore, a flow separator is used in order to increase measurement accuracy with two identical measurement tubes. Coriolis flowmeters have relatively high pressure drop values as compared to other flowmeter types, and this is an issue that needs to be addressed. In this study, pressure drop minimisation of a Coriolis-type flowmeter was performed. Firstly, a 3D numerical study was carried out in order to obtain pressure drop, and the numerical study was validated with experiments. Accordingly, an orthogonal optimization study was performed with three independent variables: separation angle, upper curvature radius of the measurement tube, and lower curvature radius of the measurement tube. The pipe length was kept constant and the influence of the mentioned variables were investigated simultaneously. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies were carried out for proposed design points for a constant flow rate value. Finally, the variation in pressure drop with respect to varying flow rate was obtained for the optimized measurement tube. During numerical simulations, shear stress transport (SST) turbulence model was used.