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Refrigerant Flow Meter g/h: Precision Sizing for Microfluidic R&D Loops
Quick Answer
For microfluidic R&D loops that handle refrigerants, a mass flow meter reading in grams per hour (g/h) gives you direct mass flow without density compensation. Silver Automation Instruments supplies micro Coriolis and thermal mass flow meters calibrated for R134a, R290, R1234yf, and CO2. Send us your pressure, temperature, pipe size, and flow range to get a specific model recommendation.
Measuring refrigerant flow in microfluidic test loops forces you to think in mass. Volume-based sensors fail when fluid density changes with temperature or phase. A reading of 10 ml/min at the pump suction does not equal 10 ml/min after the evaporator. That is why engineers in labs across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America now use Coriolis mass flow meters calibrated in g/h.
Last year a university group in Malaysia developed a compact chiller for telecom shelters. Their test loop ran R134a at flows between 8 and 120 g/h. A thermal dispersion sensor they tried showed drift when oil traces appeared. We recommended a DN1.6 micro Coriolis meter from Silver Instruments. It reached an accuracy of ±0.2% of rate and repeatability below 0.05% across the 1 to 200 g/h span. Output options included 4-20 mA HART and RS485 Modbus. The lab connected it to a paperless recorder for 72-hour cycling tests.
For flammable refrigerants like propane (R290) and isobutane (R600a), we supply the same micro Coriolis platform with ATEX Zone 1 certification for gas group IIB+H2. The minimum measurable flow drops to 0.5 g/h after a special low-flow calibration at our factory. You can mount the sensor into a DN1 or DN2 pipe with 1/8 inch compression fittings. Process temperature covers -30 °C to +80 °C and the electronics are IP66 rated.
Thermal mass flow meters also suit microfluidic loops when the refrigerant remains a single-phase gas. For superheated vapor up to 200 g/h, a thermal by-pass sensor gives a fast 50 ms response with low pressure drop. But if your loop pushes liquid or experiences slight two-phase conditions, the Coriolis meter is the safer choice. It also reports fluid density and temperature so you can monitor subcooling in real time.
Here is the thing many engineers miss: pulsation from a micro pump creates reading errors. We see 2 to 5 p
To size a refrigerant flow meter for your microfluidic R&D loop, send us these six data points: fluid name, minimum and maximum flow rate in g/h, operating pressure in bar, operating temperature in °C, pipe inner diameter in mm or DN, and required output signal. Email us at [email protected] or call +86-135-1213-1526. You can also reach us on Whatsapp at 86-135-12131526 or WeChat at +86 13512131526. We will reply within 12 hours with a data sheet and a budgetary price.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the smallest flow rate a refrigerant flow meter can measure in g/h?
Our micro Coriolis meters sense stable flows down to 0.2 g/h. For steady flows lower than 1 g/h we recommend a direct immersion thermal sensor calibrated for the specific refrigerant. Let us know whether you work with liquid or gas.
2. Can a Coriolis meter handle two-phase refrigerant flow?
It can. The meter measures total mass flow and reports average density. Bubbles do not stop it the way they stop a gear meter. For severe slug flow, install a small back-pressure regulator upstream to keep the refrigerant liquid single phase.
3. Which output works best for microfluidic data logging?
4-20 mA HART is the most common because it gives flow, density, and temperature over one pair of wires. RS485 Modbus is also available and works well with LabVIEW or PLC systems. Both come standard on our Coriolis meters.
4. Do I need special wetted materials for R290 propane?
Standard 316L stainless steel works well with propane. We use Kalrez or metal C-rings in the manifold to avoid elastomer swelling. Share your full chemical list and we will confirm material compatibility.
5. How do I install a micro Coriolis meter in a benchtop loop?
Mount the meter on a rigid bracket to isolate pump vibration. Use flexible PTFE tubing for inlet and outlet connections. Keep the meter body horizontal with the sensor tubes downward for self-drainage. We will send a two-page installation drawing when you request a quotation.
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