Mass Meter: Learn About 5 Main Types

Mass meters are essential measurement tools widely used in industrial production and scientific research. They are primarily designed to accurately measure the mass flow rate of fluids such as gases and liquids. Unlike volumetric flow meters, mass meters directly measure the mass of the fluid, providing a more precise reflection of its flow characteristics. As one of the key components in various automated control and process control systems, mass meters play an irreplaceable role. They are widely applied in industries such as chemicals, petroleum, natural gas, and pharmaceuticals.

What are Mass Meters?

Mass meters directly measure the mass flow rate of the medium passing through the meter. They can also measure properties such as density, temperature, and viscosity. A mass meter is a type of instrument used to measure the mass flow within a pipeline. The volume of a fluid is dependent on temperature and pressure, making it a variable. In contrast, the mass of a fluid does not change with time, location, temperature, or pressure.

Types of Mass Meters

1. Coriolis Mass Flow Meters

Coriolis mass flow meters are based on the Coriolis effect. They calculate the mass flow of a fluid by measuring the vibration changes caused by the fluid flowing through the sensor tube. Their main advantages include high measurement accuracy and stable output over a wide flow range, making them widely used in petrochemical, food & beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. Coriolis meters are suitable for measuring liquids and gases with high viscosity or strong corrosiveness, and their measurement results are not affected by changes in fluid temperature or pressure.

2. Thermal Mass Flow Meters

Thermal mass flow meters measure fluid flow based on the principle of heat transfer. When the fluid passes through the sensor, the heating element changes the temperature of the fluid, and the flow rate affects the rate of heat dissipation, allowing the instrument to calculate the flow. Thermal mass flow meters are particularly suitable for gas measurement and applications that require fast response times. They are commonly used in industrial gas systems, environmental protection, and gas metering applications, providing real-time flow monitoring data.

3. Vibrating-Tube Mass Flow Meters

Vibrating-tube mass flow meters calculate mass flow by measuring changes in the vibration frequency caused by the fluid moving through the tube. Their working principle is similar to that of Coriolis mass flow meters, but they feature a simpler structure and design, making them more cost-effective and suitable for applications with medium accuracy requirements. These meters are widely used in industries such as petroleum, chemical processing, energy, and aviation. They can efficiently measure both liquid and gas flow, and they are particularly valued in industrial environments for their stability and durability.

4. Differential Pressure Mass Flow Meters

Differential pressure mass flow meters measure mass flow based on the differential pressure principle. They calculate mass flow by measuring the pressure drop as the fluid passes through a specific restriction in the pipeline and combining that data with the fluid’s density and velocity. These meters are suitable for stable and predictable flow conditions and are commonly used in industries such as natural gas, steam, and petroleum. Although their accuracy is generally lower than other types of mass flow meters, they remain widely used due to their relatively low cost and easy maintenance.

5. Positive Displacement Mass Flow Meters

Positive displacement mass flow meters determine flow rate through mechanical rotation. As the fluid moves through the meter, it drives internal mechanical components to rotate, and the flow rate is calculated based on the number of rotations. This type of meter is typically used for measuring liquid flow and is suitable for applications where the flow is steady, the fluid is free of bubbles, and the viscosity is relatively low. Positive displacement mass flow meters are widely applied in gas stations, beverage production, fuel transfer, and similar fields.

Application Scenarios of Mass Meters

1. Chemical Production Industry

In chemical manufacturing, the precise ratio of raw materials directly affects reaction efficiency, product purity, and overall production safety. Mass flow meters provide real-time monitoring of gas or liquid feed rates to ensure stable process conditions. For example, during polymerization, catalyst dosing, or solvent mixing, ARTang’s thermal and Coriolis mass flow meters offer millisecond-level response and full-range measurement capabilities—from micro-flow to high-flow applications. They are widely used in high-precision environments such as semiconductor chemical delivery and pharmaceutical intermediate synthesis.

2. Food and Beverage Industry

Accurate measurement of liquid ingredients is crucial in beverage filling, dairy processing, and beer brewing. Coriolis mass flow meters not only measure mass flow but also simultaneously capture density, temperature, and other parameters for real-time quality monitoring. ARTang’s hygienic mass flow meters meet international standards such as EHEDG and 3A, support CIP/SIP cleaning, prevent cross-contamination, and ensure food safety.

3. Energy & Environmental Protection

In applications such as natural gas trade settlement, biogas power generation, and flue gas emission monitoring, mass flow meters are used to accurately measure energy consumption and emission levels. Their ability to remain unaffected by changing operating conditions ensures fairness and reliability in measurement data. ARTang’s flow measurement solutions are widely applied in biogas purification systems and carbon emission monitoring setups.

4. Laboratory & R&D

In scientific research, mass meters are commonly used for gas mixing, reaction kinetics studies, and material testing. ARTang provides modular, programmable flow control systems that support multi-channel coordination, remote monitoring, and data logging—meeting universities’ and research institutes’ dual requirements for flexibility and precision.

Mass meters offer the advantage of directly measuring the mass of liquids or gases, making them independent of temperature, pressure, or density variations. As a result, they deliver higher accuracy and stability compared to volumetric flow meters. In addition, mass meters offer faster response times because the measurement is based on mass rather than volume. These strengths make them widely used in chemical processing, industrial production, and environmental protection, where they play a key role in ensuring safe operation and compliance with environmental standards.