A new tantalum version of the Optimass 7300 Coriolis mass flowmeter (photo) has recently been introduced for applications involving highly aggressive and corrosive fluids. Generally, the wall thicknesses of Coriolis measuring tubes are significantly less than those of the process piping, which tolerate a higher rate of corrosion before failing. Although tantalum has been used in the past by other firms, the twin, bent-tube designs made these devices very expensive. With the advent of the straight-tube design, the costs are more reasonable, because only the measuring tube and the raised face of the process flange need to be made of tantalum. This firm uses an alloy called Tantalum Ta10W, which consists of 10% tungsten and 90% tantalum. — Krohne Ltd., Wellingborough, U.K.
The advantages of tantalum more affordable in a Coriolis flowmeter
| By Chemical Engineering