Setup : OB1 flow controller + Bronkhorst® Flow Sensor
The aim of this application note is to show how to easily perform a very accurate flow rate measurement.
Thanks to our “plug and play” software, Bronkhorst® flow sensors and standard connectors, you will be able to perform easily and quickly an accurate flow measurement anywhere in your setup.
The Bronkhorst flow sensor, “Mini Cori-flow”, measures the flow thanks to the Coriolis Effect. The value of the mass flow is independent from the density, the temperature or the pressure.
The Elveflow® smart software allows you to control and analyze intuitively the results of your experiment and is compatible with all Elveflow® instruments.
Using the Coriolis Effect (describing how a moving object deflects from a straight path when viewed from a rotating frame) on a fluid going through a vibrating tube, it is possible to derive the mass flow through the tube, and also the density of the fluid at secondary output.
This direct measurement is very accurate because there is no need to correct it with temperature, pressure and density and does not depend on fluid specific heat like thermal mass flow meters.
Furthermore, Coriolis flow meters can be used with gas and liquids and distinguish themselves by their high accuracy over a large range and a fast response time.
The Mini Cori-Flow operates according to the Coriolis principle for flow measurement. The instrument can be used to simultaneously measure mass flow, temperature and density. When a fluid flows through a vibrating tube, Coriolis forces are generated, which bend or twist the tube. The extremely small tube displacements are detected by optimally positioned sensors and evaluated electronically. Since the measured phase shift of the sensor signals are proportional to the mass flow, the mini Cori-Flow measures the mass flow directly. The measurement principle is independent of the density, temperature, viscosity, pressure, heat-capacity or conductivity. The tubes always vibrate at their natural frequency, which is a function not only of the tube geometry and the tube material properties but also the mass of the fluid in the vibrating tubes.
This section describes step by step how to perform the flow measurement.
OB1 MK3+ Flow Controller
Bronkhorst flow sensor
Sample Reservoirs
Tubings and fittings
The flow sensor can be used as a standalone unit with your own system to flow liquid or in combination with our flow controller. Here, we use it with the OB1 MK3 in pressure control mode.
Make sure that all the cables and tubing are well connected to your Elveflow® instruments (USB cable, 24V DC, Flow sensor data cable, etc). Perform leakage tests and remove any air bubbles before starting your experiment.
Choosing the proper fittings is the first step towards success. If you are not familiar with microfluidic fittings, you may read our specific tutorials or our special user guides.
The flow sensor is very sensitive to vibrations and movement perturbations so it is recommended to tighten it to a stable surface as often as possible.
The flow sensor can be used as a standalone unit with your own system to flow liquid or in combination with our flow controller. Here, we use it with the OB1 MkIII in pressure control mode.
1) First launch the Elvefow® smart interface (ESI)
Click on « Add Instrument ».
2) Add your Bronkhorst ® flow sensor (Cori-flow).
3) Click on the refresh button at the top left corner to see the Cori-flow also as an instrument.
4) The Cori-flow is now recognized both as a sensor and an instrument.
5) Open the Cori-flow window.
You can now directly read the flow measurement or open a graph to see the evolution of the flow during all the time of your experiment.
On the above image we are sending a pulse wave with the OB1 MK3 pressure controller and the flow rate is displayed on the right scale.
Stop by the Bronkhorst® flow sensor product webpage.
See our tutorial on regulating the flow with a Bronkhorst® flow sensor and a OB1 MK3 pressure controller. The PID algorithm allows volume control as a syringe pump without speed and accuracy concessions.
How can we help you?
Name*
Email*
Message
Newsletter subscription
We will answer within 24 hours
By filling in your info you accept that we use your data.
Do you want tips on how to best set up your microfluidic experiment? Do you need inspiration or a different angle to take on your specific problem? Well, we probably have an application note just for you, feel free to check them out!
Microfluidics is the science of handling small amounts of liquids, inside micrometer scale channels. Discover how to handle fluids for your microfluidic experiments.
This application note demonstrates a smart use ouf Elveflow's Pressure sensor and sensor reader for Direct-Ink-Writing flow control.
Learn how to set up your development environment for Elveflow products with this comprehensive tutorial.
This user guide will show you how to run microfluidic colocalization studies of single molecule spectroscopy.
This application note explores the basic principle of pneumatic pumps and a flow controller based on the basic principle of pneumatic pumps, known as pressure driven flow control. It also demonstrates the applications of pressure driven flow control in a range of industrial & research fields.
Flow regulation is a compulsory operation in most of the microfluidics operations. In some applications such as 2D or 3D cell culture, flow regulation is essential since accurate micro-environmental parameters control is required. Elveflow do it’s best to make this operation as easy as possible to help you to focus on what really matter in your setup.
Study the impact of molecular transport on cell cultures with a cross flow membrane chip and microfluidic instruments.
Precise liquid injection system for manipulation of small volumes of fluids using the MUX distribution and the MUX recirculation valve.
This application note explains how to set up a robust and reproducible microfluidic platform for liposomes assembly with improved encapsulation efficiency and reduced polydispersity in size.
Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are considered as quasi 1-dimensional (1D) carbon nanostructures, which are known for their outstanding anisotropic electronic, mechanical, thermal and optical properties.
This application note describes how to combine and synchronise liquid perfusion and imaging using an Olympus spinning disc confocal microscope together with an Elveflow pressure-driven flow controlled microfluidic system.
Mixing is a crucial step for several microfluidic applications like chemical synthesis, clinical diagnostics, sequencing and synthesis of nucleic acids
This application note describes how microfluidic can be employed as a nanoparticle generator based on the example of PLGA bead generation.
Learn how to perform PLGA nanoparticle preparation with Elveflow instruments and a microfluidic chip
Get a quote
Collaborations
Need customer support?
Serial Number of your product
Support Type AdviceHardware SupportSoftware Support
Subject*
I hereby agree that Elveflow uses my personal data Newsletter subscription
Message I hereby agree that Elveflow uses my personal data Newsletter subscription