Bronkhorst CoriCalc User Manual

CoriCalc

Calculation tool for (mini) CORI-FLOW® instruments

Instruction manual

Doc nr.: 9.17.056 A Date: 07-01-2009

Scope of this manual

This instruction manual covers the operation of the software tool CoriCalc, provided by Bronkhorst Cori-Tech B.V. to
make calculations for (mini) CORI-FLOW® instruments. Main features are calculating the inlet pressure, outlet
pressure, the orifice or the flow through a CORI-FLOW® instrument.

This instruction manual has been written based on CoriCalc V1.04. However, it should be suited for former and later
versions as well. Where needed, there will be a short notice about different versions.

Note

1. Some program features described in this manual are optional. Bronkhorst Cori-Tech has the right to enable or

disable certain parts of the program to adjust CoriCalc to the needs of the user.
Too many features can lead to trouble. Too few features can lead to inconvenience. Please contact your sales
representative or Bronkhorst Cori-Tech in Ruurlo, The Netherlands, to discuss this issue.

2. Although calculations by the program are found to be reliable and can be used for instrument sizing in the field,

checking by Bronkhorst sales support might sometimes lead to a different instrument advice.

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Tab le of contents

1 General description.................................................................................................................................4

1.1 CoriCalc with automatic fluid properties....................................................................................................4

1.2 CoriCalc with manual fluid properties........................................................................................................4

1.2.1 Fluid properties for gases.........................................................................................................................4

1.2.2 Fluid properties for liquids .......................................................................................................................4

2 System requirements .............................................................................................................................. 5

2.1 Personal Computer..................................................................................................................................5

2.2 Software on Personal Computer ...............................................................................................................5

3 Installation and startup of CoriCalc ..........................................................................................................6

3.1 Installation..............................................................................................................................................6

3.2 Startup ...................................................................................................................................................6

4 Operation ...............................................................................................................................................7

4.1 Main window layout ................................................................................................................................7

4.1.1 Instrument .............................................................................................................................................. 8

4.1.2 Input parameters.....................................................................................................................................9

4.1.3 Calculation ............................................................................................................................................ 10

4.2 Phase changes of fluid............................................................................................................................11

4.3 Printing your results...............................................................................................................................11

5 Troubleshooting, errors and warnings....................................................................................................12

6 Fluid properties for manual input ..........................................................................................................13

7 Disclaimer............................................................................................................................................. 14

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1 General description

CoriCalc is a software program for calculating important sizing parameters for applications with (mini) CORI-FLOW®
instruments using mathematical models of the sensors and valves and physical properties provided by Bronkhorst
FLUIDAT® or Bronkhorst FLUIDAT® on the Net.

The following can be calculated/advised:

- Pressure drop over sensor related to flow

- Minimum inlet pressure for sensor/controller related to flow and outlet pressure

- Maximum outlet pressure for sensor/controller related to flow and inlet pressure

- Maximum flow based on the inlet- and outlet pressure

- Orifice diameter

- Sensor and valve type

- Density, viscosity and phase of fluid (if available in FLUIDAT®)

1.1 CoriCalc with automatic fluid properties

CoriCalc can be installed next to FLUIDAT® (license required) to offer full functionality.
Thanks to the information in the fluid database, CoriCalc can determine if a fluid is in a liquid or gas phase at a certain
temperature and pressure. Also the density and viscosity of the fluid will be known.

Note

1. Use of FLUIDAT® local database is for selected users only. Installation and authorization will be coordinated by

Bronkhorst.

2. Although Bronkhorst puts much effort in building and maintaining FLUIDAT® with fluid properties, it does not

contain all properties for all fluids. For some applications estimations should be made to predict the instrument
behavior if no fluid data is available.

1.2 CoriCalc with manual fluid properties

If installed without FLUIDAT®, CoriCalc can be used with limited functionality.
There will be no info available regarding fluid properties. Density, viscosity and fluid phase have to be entered
manually, using ‘custom fluid’ settings. For entering the density and viscosity, property information of fluids can be
obtained from FLUIDAT® on the Net (see www.fluidat.com
gases and liquids often faced in applications.

1.2.1 Fluid properties for gases

For gases the density is of importance for pressure drop calculations. The viscosity is less important for this type of
calculation. The lower the density, the higher the volume flow needs to be for the same mass flow, which results in
high pressure drops over the sensor. E.g. He and H2 are very light gases which result in relative high pressure drops.

Note
For gases CoriCalc needs the density (and viscosity) at normal

1013.25 mbar (a), so not

the density (and viscosity) at actual conditions.

1.2.2 Fluid properties for liquids

For liquids the dynamic viscosity is of importance for pressure drop calculations. The density is less important for this
type of calculation, although a higher density will give a lower pressure drop in practice.
High viscous fluids, like oils or glycerin, need more pressure to get through the sensor tubes at the same flow as e.g.
water. Low viscous fluids, like alcohols give less pressure drop at the same flow rate.

Note
For liquids CoriCalc needs the actual

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viscosity (and density) for the pressure drop calculations.

), or the table in chapter 6 can be used. It consists of several

conditions. This means the conditions at 0 °C and

2 System requirements

2.1 Personal Computer

Minimum requirements:
Pentium PC - 700 MHz / 32 MB internal RAM
20 MB free disk space for program files
1024 x 768 x 256 color display
Operating system: Windows 2000 UK, Windows XP UK or Windows Vista UK 32-bit.

The regional settings for numbers have to be set to the values in the table below.

Operating System regional number settings

Decimal symbol . (point)
Digit grouping symbol , (comma)

Note
The digit grouping symbol of currency must always differ from the numbers decimal symbol (see Microsoft’s
KB198098). Having equal symbols is not valid and will cause problems, not just for this program but for other programs
as well.
In this situation check that the digit grouping symbol of currency does not contain a . (point). If so, choose any other
character.

2.2 Software on Personal Computer

FLUIDAT® license for fluid calculations (optional and with Bronkhorst authorization only).
Please contact your local Bronkhorst sales representative or contact Bronkhorst Ruurlo.

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3 Installation and startup of CoriCalc

3.1 Installation

Follow the on-screen instructions when installing CoriCalc.
The default installation folder is: C:\Program files\Bronkhorst\CoriCalc

3.2 Startup

Start CoriCalc through the Start menu: Start >> Programs >> Bronkhorst >> CoriCalc V1.04.

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4 Operation

4.1 Main window layout

When CoriCalc is started, the main window is shown. Example for sensor only.

Figure 1 - The CoriCalc main window for sensor calculations for a gas

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4.1.1 Instrument

Example of controller for water application.

Figure 2 - The CoriCalc main window for controller calculations for a liquid

The upper part of the window shows a schematic overview of a (mini) CORI-FLOW® instrument. For a meter, only the
sensor part is shown, whereas both the sensor and the valve are shown for a controller.
Above the sensor image, the desired sensor for which a calculation is to be made, can be selected from the Sensor list.
In case Controller is selected, a valve can be selected from the Valve list.

Apart from choosing a specific sensor and/or valve for making calculations, Advise… can be selected to get CoriCalc an
advice for the right sensor or valve.

After a calculation has been performed, this part also shows the phase of the fluid at two (sensor only) or three
(controller) positions in the instrument, at the inlet, between the sensor and the valve and at the outlet. Graphically
the phases are indicated by bubbles for gases and droplets for liquids. At these positions two important fluid
properties (the density in kg/m

3

and the viscosity in mPa.s) are shown as well.

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4.1.2 Input parameters

Before any calculation can be made, the fluid (gas or liquid) needs
to be selected from the pull-down list at Fluid.

In case the fluid is unknown, Custom may be entered.
After pressing Calculate, the ‘Custom fluid’ screen will appear. This way CoriCalc will ask for the density, the viscosity
and the phase of an unknown fluid before each calculation. This might be the case if FLUIDAT® doesn’t contain the
right fluid properties or is not installed on the same PC (CoriCalc will expect manual input for density, viscosity and
fluid phase).

Note

Depending on the phase of the fluid, actual or normal density (@ 0 °C and 1013.25 mbar (a)) and viscosity should be

entered.

Enter actual

Important note
Please take care if you want to make calculations on a fluid in (actual) gas phase and if this fluid has a different phase
under the normal

E.g. for steam at 120 °C and 1.5 bar (a) (for CORI-FLOW® with external electronics only) it is not possible to enter the
density and viscosity for the situation @ 0 °C and 1013.25 mbar (a), because the fluid will be liquid or even solid (ice).

In those cases best results can be obtained, if the actual
With water (steam) the values from the vapor-pressure tables (density and viscosity) gave reliable results.

The main input parameters for each calculation are the inlet pressure, the flow, the orifice size and the outlet
pressure. One of these can be calculated when all others are supplied.
At Pressure inlet, the inlet pressure can be entered in the selected unit, at Flow the flow and at Outlet pressure, the
outlet pressure can be entered. In case a valve is selected, the orifice can be entered at Orifice.

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density and viscosity for liquids Enter normal density (@ 0 °C and 1013.25 mbar (a)) for gases

conditions (@ 0 °C and 1013.25 mbar (a)). This will result in errors.

properties are entered.

The unit in which the pressures and the flow can be supplied can be selected at the Units frame at the bottom of the
window. For pressure, the unit types Pressure A (absolute) and Pressure G (gauge) are available. For flow, the unit
types Mass Flow, Normal Flow and Standard Flow are available. The latter two are most likely to be used for gases
only.

Note
Changing the unit will not convert any flow values from the old unit to the new unit!

4.1.3 Calculation

After selecting the desired units, the desired gas, at the Calculation frame following options can be selected for
calculation:

- Minimum pressure inlet

- Flow

- Orifice (for controllers)

- Maximum pressure outlet (for sensors only)

If all other input parameters (pressure inlet, flow, orifice, pressure outlet) are entered, the selected parameter can be
calculated by pressing the Calculate button.
The result is shown below the graphical representation of the instrument. In case no warnings or errors have
occurred, it shows OK in green. A warning is indicated in orange, whereas an error turns the indicator red. An
explanation of the warning and/or error is given in the text frame at the bottom.

4.1.3.1 Minimum pressure inlet

When this option has been selected, the minimum pressure needed for a given flow and outlet (back) pressure will be
calculated.

4.1.3.2 Flow

When this option has been selected, the maximum possible flow through the sensor at a given inlet pressure and
outlet pressure will be calculated.

4.1.3.3 Orifice (controller only)

When this option has been selected, the orifice for the valve will be calculated and advised for a given flow, inlet
pressure and outlet pressure.
The advised orifice can be taken-over by pressing the /\-button. The program will switch into minimum pressure
calculation mode. After pressing Calculate again, the advised minimum inlet pressure needed for this orifice and flow
conditions will be calculated additionally (if possible).

Note
An important check here will be the pressure across the sensor in relation to the pressure across the valve to guarantee
a proper control function.

Some important rules of thumb:

- For liquids: pressure drop across valve >= 50% of total pressure drop across instrument

- For gases: pressure drop across valve >= 75% of total pressure drop across instrument (preferably)

pressure drop across valve >= 50% of total pressure drop across instrument (advice)

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4.1.3.4 Maximum pressure outlet (sensor only)

When this option has been selected, the maximum pressure outlet available after the sensor at a given flow and inlet
pressure can be calculated.

4.2 Phase changes of fluid

If FLUIDAT® has been installed on the same PC, CoriCalc will use its fluid properties to check the phase of the selected
fluid for a certain pressure and temperature. Normally it is not recommended to have phase changes in either the
sensor nor the valve. Besides the cooling effect, also the working of the sensor and valve will be far from optimal.
Therefore, phase transitions in the instruments should be avoided. A transition from liquid phase into gas phase will
have a strong cooling effect on both valve and sensor and will be indicated with the blue pictogram as shown below.

4.3 Printing your results

Under the menu item File >> Print, it is possible to send a screen shot of the results directly to a printer.
The comment line at the bottom of the screen enables the user to add a comment about e.g. the application or the
customer.

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5 Troubleshooting, errors and warnings

When calculating, CoriCalc performs many checks. Good results, which may lead to reliable applications, will be shown
in green. Any error will be displayed in red. Warnings in orange. In the lower area of the screen the (red) text will show
the error specifications.
In the example below there is no data for dynamic viscosity available for Ethylene under these conditions, so
calculation is not possible. In such a case it is advisable to enter the density and viscosity manually as custom fluid.

In case of doubt please contact: [e-mail]

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or [e-mail]

6 Fluid properties for manual input

Fluid Density

(kg/m3)

AIR Air 1.293 1.715e-2 Gas Normal conditions: @ 0 °C, 1013.25 mbar (a)
N2 Nitrogen 1.250 1.653e-2 Gas Normal conditions: @ 0 °C, 1013.25 mbar (a)
Ar Argon 1,784 2.13e-2 Gas Normal conditions: @ 0 °C, 1013.25 mbar (a)
CO2 Carbon Dioxide 1.977 1.351e-2 Gas Normal conditions: @ 0 °C, 1013.25 mbar (a)
CO Carbon Monoxide 1.250 1.575e-2 Gas Normal conditions: @ 0 °C, 1013.25 mbar (a)
C2H4 Ethylene 1.261 9.455e-3 Gas Normal conditions: @ 0 °C, 1013.25 mbar (a)
He Helium (4-) 0.178 1.908e-2 Gas Normal conditions: @ 0 °C, 1013.25 mbar (a)
H2 Hydrogen 8.989e-2 8.401e-3 Gas Normal conditions: @ 0 °C, 1013.25 mbar (a)
CH4 Methane 0.717 1.031e-2 Gas Normal conditions: @ 0 °C, 1013.25 mbar (a)
N2O Nitrous Oxide 1.978 1.336e-2 Gas Normal conditions: @ 0 °C, 1013.25 mbar (a)
O2 Oxygen 1.429 0.019 Gas Normal conditions: @ 0 °C, 1013.25 mbar (a)
C3H8 Propane 2.012 7.516e-3 Gas Normal conditions: @ 0 °C, 1013.25 mbar (a)
C4H10 #1 Butane 2.705 6.811e-3 Gas Normal conditions: @ 0 °C, 1013.25 mbar (a)
C3H6 #2 Propylene 1.914 8.0e-3 Gas Normal conditions: @ 0 °C, 1013.25 mbar (a)
H2O Water 1000 1 Liquid @ 20 °C, 3 bar (a)
C3H8O #2 Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) 794 2.31 Liquid @ 20 °C, 3 bar (a)
Diesel Oil 890 76.2 Liquid @ 20 °C
Fuel Oil 870 2.6 Liquid @ 20 °C
Gasoline 710 0.5 Liquid @ 15 °C
Crude Oil 860 75 Liquid @ 15 °C
Acetic acid 1050 1.23 Liquid @ 20 °C
Kerosene 800 2.2 Liquid @ 15 °C
Nitric Acid 1370 2.6 Liquid @ 20 °C
Soybean Oil 920 79.1 Liquid @ 15 °C
Ethylene Glycol 1120 19.5 Liquid @ 20 °C
Sulfuric Acid (conc.) 1830 26.7 Liquid @ 20 °C
Glucose (sugar solution) 1440 31680 Liquid @ 38 °C
Crankcase Oil SAE 20 940 173.9 Liquid @ 54 °C
Crankcase Oil SAE 30 940 211.5 Liquid @ 54 °C
Crankcase Oil SAE 40 940 376 Liquid @ 54 °C
TiCl4 Titanium Tetrachloride 1523 1 Liquid @ 20 °C
SiCl4 Silicon Tetrachloride 1480 48 Liquid @ 20 °C
Citric Acid 10% solution 1035 1.5 Liquid @ 25 °C
Citric Acid 30% solution 1131 2.3 Liquid @ 25 °C
Citric Acid 60% solution 1294 17 Liquid @ 25 °C
CH4N2O Urea 32% solution 1090 1.4 Liquid @ 25 °C
CH4O Methanol 767 0.55 Liquid @ 20 °C, 3 bar (a)
C2H6O #2 Ethanol 806 1.15 Liquid @ 20 °C, 3 bar (a)
C4H10 #1 Butane 573 1 Liquid @ 20 °C, 3 bar (a)
C3H8 Propane 488 9.77 Liquid @ 20 °C, 10 bar (a)

For more fluid properties visit: www.fluidat.com

Note
Bronkhorst Cori-Tech B.V. as well as Bronkhorst High-Tech B.V. disclaims any liability for use of these data in
calculations for applications using (mini) CORI-FLOW® instruments. Values under actual conditions might differ.
Although the CoriCalc program has been thoroughly tested, Bronkhorst Cori-Tech B.V., as well as Bronkhorst High-Tech
B.V. takes no responsibility for any failure which could result in personal injury and/or damage to any customer
equipment.

Dynamic
Viscosity
(mPa.s)

.

Phase Remark

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7 Disclaimer

Because of the various hardware and software environments into which Bronkhorst software may be put, this
software and the accompanying files are "as is" and without warranties as to performance of merchantability or any
other warranties whether expressed or implied.
Bronkhorst is not responsible for lost profits or revenue, loss of use of the software, loss of data, costs of re-creating
lost data, the cost of any substitute equipment or program, or claims by any party other than you.
Although the equipment is thoroughly tested, Bronkhorst takes no responsibility for hardware or software failures
which could result in personal injury and/or damage to any customer equipment.
Bronkhorst strongly recommends a backup to be made before any software is installed.
Although every attempt has been made to make Bronkhorst software virus free there is no warranty for software
viruses. The fact that you are using the program indicates that you understand and agree to these terms.

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