Thermal mass flow meters and Coriolis mass flow meters are both mass flow devices, but they are completely different in working principle, application media, and suitable working conditions.
1. Measured Media
Thermal mass flow meter:
Mainly for gases (compressed air, nitrogen, natural gas, hydrogen, etc.).
Cannot measure liquids.
Coriolis mass flow meter:
Can measure liquids and gases (oil, water, chemicals, slurry, high viscosity fluids, etc.).
2. Working Principle
Thermal: Uses heat dissipation principle to measure gas mass flow directly.
Coriolis: Uses Coriolis force induced by flow vibration.
3. Accuracy
Thermal: Good for general gas measurement, medium accuracy.
Coriolis: Very high accuracy, suitable for precision metering, custody transfer, batching.
4. Low Flow Performance
Thermal: Excellent for low flow / low velocity gas.
Coriolis: Not as good as thermal for very low gas flow.
5. Installation
Thermal: Usually short or no straight pipe required, easy installation.
Coriolis: Generally needs straight pipes (depends on model).
6. Bubbles & Impurities
Thermal: Sensitive to liquid droplets, moisture, dust.
Coriolis: Can handle small bubbles and some solids in liquid.
Use thermal mass flow meter if you measure gas only, especially low flow gas.
Use Coriolis mass flow meter if you measure liquid or high-precision gas/liquid.
Post time: Mar-13-2026