Anton Paar L-Cor Series Coriolis Mass Flowmeters

Overview

The Anton Paar L-Cor Series comprises high-precision, U-shaped Coriolis mass flowmeters engineered for direct, real-time measurement of mass flow, fluid density, and derived parameters—including concentration, temperature-compensated volume flow, and totalized mass. Unlike inferential flow technologies, Coriolis instrumentation operates on the principle of inertial force detection within a vibrating tube: as fluid flows through the oscillating U-tube, the Coriolis effect induces a phase shift proportional to mass flow rate—enabling inherently linear, calibration-independent measurement traceable to fundamental physical constants. Designed for demanding industrial environments—from pharmaceutical batch dosing and chemical synthesis to custody transfer in petrochemical terminals—the L-Cor platform delivers metrological integrity under dynamic process conditions, including multiphase transients, varying viscosity, and wide thermal gradients.

Key Features

• True mass flow measurement with accuracy up to ±0.1% of reading (L-Cor 8100/8200/8300 models), validated per ISO 5167-6 and OIML R117-1:2019 requirements
• Density measurement range: 300–2000 kg/m³, with typical density accuracy of ±0.5 kg/m³ (dependent on model and fluid stability)
• Extended operational temperature range: from cryogenic –200 °C (ATEX-certified low-temp variants) to high-temperature 350 °C (HT models); full sensor qualification across –40 °C to +55 °C ambient
• Pressure rating up to 430 bar (absolute, at 20 °C), compliant with ASME B16.5 Class 600 and EN 1092-1 PN40 flange standards
• Wetted materials selection including ASTM A240 316L stainless steel (1.4404) and corrosion-resistant Alloy C-22 for aggressive media handling
• Intrinsic safety and explosion protection certified to ATEX II 1G Ex ia IIC T6 Ga, IECEx ia IIC T6 Ga, CSA C-US Class I Div 1 Groups A–D, and NEPSI (CCC) standards
• Zero-stability error (ZS) characterization included in uncertainty budgets—critical for low-flow applications (<5% of full scale)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The L-Cor Series accommodates liquid process streams across diverse industries—including solvents, acids, bases, slurries, liquefied gases, and high-viscosity polymers—without requiring fluid property input or recalibration. Its immunity to Reynolds number, turbulence, and pipe geometry eliminates upstream/downstream straight-run requirements. Regulatory compliance includes OIML R117-1:2019 for legal-for-trade mass flow measurement, WELMEC Guide 7.2 and 8.8 for verification procedures, and alignment with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 data integrity expectations when integrated with compliant SCADA or DCS systems. All units undergo factory verification per ISO/IEC 17025-accredited procedures; certificates include traceability to national metrology institutes (e.g., PTB, NIST).

Software & Data Management

L-Cor meters support dual analog outputs (4–20 mA), two frequency/pulse outputs, and one status output, alongside digital communication via Modbus RTU (RS-485), Profibus PA, and Fieldbus protocols. Integrated firmware enables real-time diagnostics—including tube health monitoring, zero-check alerts, and temperature-compensated density drift tracking. When deployed with Anton Paar’s proprietary mPDS (mass Process Data System) software or third-party platforms compliant with OPC UA, users gain audit-trail-capable data logging, configurable alarm thresholds, and GLP/GMP-aligned electronic record generation—including timestamped zero calibrations and parameter changes. Firmware updates are delivered via secure, signed binaries adhering to IEC 62443-3-3 SL2 cybersecurity requirements.

Applications

• Pharmaceutical continuous manufacturing: precise gravimetric dosing of APIs and excipients into reactors or mixers
• Chemical process control: stoichiometric feed control in nitration, sulfonation, and polymerization reactors
• Fuel blending and custody transfer: inline hydrocarbon blending verification and fiscal metering at terminals
• Food & beverage concentration monitoring: real-time Brix and alcohol content derivation via density correlation
• Biotechnology: sterile-transfer validation in single-use bioreactor feed lines with tri-clamp (ISO 2852) configurations
• Cryogenic LNG and hydrogen infrastructure: low-temperature mass flow assurance in vaporizer and loading arms

FAQ

What is the minimum measurable flow rate for the L-Cor 8200 model?

The L-Cor 8200 supports flow rates starting from 3.6 kg/h, with extended low-flow capability down to 0.5% of full scale when configured with ZS-optimized electronics.
Can the L-Cor Series measure two-phase flow accurately?

Coriolis meters exhibit inherent sensitivity to gas entrainment; while not designed for sustained two-phase operation, transient bubble detection and mass flow correction algorithms are available upon request for specific applications.
Is remote zero calibration supported without process interruption?

Yes—integrated zero calibration routines can be triggered via digital command or scheduled automatically, provided flow is stable and temperature gradient <0.1 K/min during the procedure.
How does the L-Cor handle fluids with rapidly changing density?

Density is measured continuously at 100 Hz sampling; dynamic compensation is applied to mass flow calculation in real time, maintaining accuracy even during compositional shifts such as solvent dilution or reaction progress.
Are explosion-proof versions available for Zone 0 hazardous areas?

Yes—ATEX and IECEx-certified intrinsically safe (Ex ia) variants are offered for Zone 0/20 installations, including both integrated and remote transmitter configurations.