Overview
ISO 10790:2015 provides international guidance for the selection, installation, calibration, performance and operation of Coriolis flowmeters used to measure mass flow, density and derived volume flow in closed conduits. It covers practical considerations for a wide range of fluids (air, natural gas, water, oil, LPG, LNG, manufactured gases, mixtures, slurries, etc.), diagnostic and safety issues, and methods for determining uncertainty and field or factory calibration.
Key Topics
- Selection criteria: guidance on choosing a Coriolis flowmeter based on fluid type, process conditions and measurement objectives.
- Physical installation: orientation, full-pipe requirements for liquids, straight-length and valve considerations, cleaning and pipe stress/torsion issues.
- Process influences: effects of multiphase flow, temperature, pressure, viscosity, pulsation, flashing/cavitation on meter performance.
- Transmitter and diagnostics: requirements for secondary devices (transmitters), diagnostic functions and zero adjustments.
- Measurement methods: principles and apparatus for mass flow and density measurements, and conversion to volume flow at metering conditions.
- Calibration & uncertainty: factory calibration, field calibration techniques, density calibration, and guidance on quantifying measurement uncertainty.
- Safety & integrity: hydrostatic testing, mechanical stress, erosion/corrosion considerations, housing design and cleaning.
- Special topics/annexes: calibration techniques, safety guidelines, considerations for multi-component liquid systems and miscible liquids.
Applications and Who Uses This Standard
ISO 10790:2015 is practical for professionals who design, operate or verify flow measurement systems, including:
- Instrumentation and process engineers specifying Coriolis meters for custody transfer, batching or process control
- Calibration laboratories and metrology professionals performing factory and field calibrations
- Plant operators in oil & gas, chemical, petrochemical, water treatment, food & beverage and bulk liquid handling
- Equipment manufacturers and integrators developing meter installations, transmitters or diagnostic software
Using ISO 10790 helps ensure reliable mass flow, density, and volume flow measurements, reduced measurement uncertainty, and safer installations across diverse fluid applications.
Related Standards
- ISO/IEC Guide 99 (JCGM:2012) / VIM references for measurement terminology and metrology concepts (referenced in ISO 10790).
- Industry flow-measurement standards and local legal metrology requirements (consult specific regional or industry documents when implementing ISO 10790).
Keywords: ISO 10790:2015, Coriolis flowmeter, mass flow measurement, density measurement, volume flow, flowmeter selection, calibration, installation guidance.
Open preview (PDF)Measurement of fluid flow in closed conduits — Guidance to the selection, installation and use of Coriolis flowmeters (mass flow, density and volume flow measurements)
