Bronkhorst flow sensor - BFS

Premium Coriolis flow sensor

The Rolls-royce of flow sensors

High accuracy microfluidic flow sensor

Unmatched up to 0.2% accuracy (2% for our standard BF1)

Broad flow rate range

Measure from uL/min to mL/min using one sensor

Compatible with liquid and gas

Straightforward compatibility without calibration

Features & Benefits

Specifically designed to suit microfluidic requirements, this flow rate sensor is based on the Coriolis principle. Its features make it the best and smartest solution for microfluidics applications:

Extremely wide flow rate range
High accuracy
Direct mass flow measurement, independent of fluid properties
Non-invasive measurement
Additional density and temperature outputs
Bi-directional measurement
Fast response

FLOW RATE CONTROL:

You can achieve flow control of your experiment by combining the Coriolis Flow Sensor with our pressure controller systems (OB1). The Elveflow ESI software automatically adjusts the pressure to reach the required flow rate. Researchers who want to monitor the flow rate from their third-party fluid driver can plug the flow sensor directly onto the computer.

Cost-effective solution: one sensor’s operating range covers the ranges of several standard microfluidic sensors.
No calibration required
Stand-alone sensor: plug the sensor directly into your computer to measure the flow rate.
Excellent repeatability and long-term stability
Excellent accuracy: down to 0.2 % of measured value accuracy
Easy to install and use
Low risk of gas bubble inclusion
Not compatible with the Advanced range

Related application notes:

Typical fields of application include:

Solar cell and FDP technology
Food and pharmaceutical industries
Medical microchemical or analytical installations
Calibration laboratoriesCoumpound semiconductor processing
And many more…

CORIOLIS FLOW SENSOR	BFS 1	BFS 1+	BFS 2	BFS 3
Flow range	0.1 g/h to 200 g/h		1 g/h to 2000 g/h	30 g/h to 30000 g/h
Minimum flow rate (water)	1.6 µL/min		16.6 µL/min	500 µL/min
Maximum flow rate (water)	3.3 mL/min		33.3 mL/min	500 mL/min
PERFORMANCE
Mass flow accuracy liquids	down to ± 2 % of measured value	down to ± 0.2 % of measured value
Mass flow accuracy gases	up to ± 0.5 % o measured value
Repeatability	± 0.05 % of rate ± 1/2 (ZS* x 100/flow) % based on digital output
Zero stability (ZS) ⁽¹⁾	< ± 0.01 g/h		< ± 0.2 g/h	< ± 6 g/h
Density accuracy	< ± 5 kg/m³
Temperature accuracy	± 0.5 °C
Temperature effect ⁽²⁾	Zero drift: ± 0.01 g/h/°C		Zero drift: ± 0.02 g/h/°C	Zero drift: ± 0.5 g/h/°C
Mounting ⁽³⁾	Any position, attitude sensitivity negligible
Device temperature	0…70 °C
Response time (t 98 %)	0.2 s to fill the tubing then 35 ms
MECHANICAL PARTS
Wetted material	Stainless steel 316 L or comparable		Stainless steel 316 L or comparable
Wetted material	Stainless steel 316 L or comparable		Optional: Hastelloy-C22	Optional: Hastelloy-C23
Pressure rating	200 bar		200 bar; higher on request
Sensor inner diameter	250 µm		0.5 mm	1.3 mm
Suitable tubings	1/16″		1/8″ with adapters to 1/16″
Internal volume	13 µL		0.45 mL	0.82 mL
Calibration	/	Individual calibration certificate

FLOW SENSOR SIZE (length x width x height): 65 x 32 x 144 mm WEIGHT: 3 kg

Non-contractual information, may be changed without notice.

(1) Guaranteed at constant temperature and for unchanging process and environment conditions. (2) Depends on flow rate, heat capacity fluid, T amb., T fluid and cooling capacity.
(3) To be rigidly bolted to a stiff and heavy mass or construction for guaranteed stability. External shocks or vibrations should be avoided.

Thanks to an intuitive interface, the Elveflow® Smart Interface allows you to use Elveflow® instruments from the simplest commands for beginners to the most complex manipulations for experts… read more

Software features concerning the Coriolis flow rate sensor:

Intuitive display and measurement recording
Customizable flow rate control: adjust the flow rate control parameters to best fit your application’s needs. Whether you prefer a reactive or smooth flow rate change, our software allows you to adjust the feedback parameters.
Multiple predefined flow patterns (ramp, sinus, square or triangle signal)
Additional features are available like: dispensed volume calculation, customizable resolution, tuning of the setup fluidic parameters (coupled with our OB1 flow controller), multiple channel flow rate control using one flow sensor (advanced feature).

Control your experiments through C++, Python, MATLAB®, LabVIEW® or the Elveflow® Smart Interface. The Elveflow® Smart Interface is a software application offering all the functionalities that microfluidicists need.

INtuitive measurement AND display

Multiple flow patterns available + custom flow rate control possibility

easily switch between multiple measurement parameters (Temperature, Mass flow rate, Density)

Complete your set

01 MFS Standard flow rate sensor ELVEFLOW MICROFLUIDICS

MFS Thermal Flow Sensor >>

MUX Distribution Valve >>

Valves & Valve Controller >>

MUX Recirculation Valve >>

How does a Coriolis flow meter work?

A microfluidic Coriolis flow sensor contains a U-shaped loop which constantly vibrates. When a fluid flows through this vibrating loop, Coriolis forces are generated and bend or twist the tube. The extremely small tube displacements are detected by sensors and fed to the electronic board. Since the measured phase shift is proportional to the mass flow, the Coriolis flow rate sensor measures the mass flow directly. This measurement principle is very accurate, fast and, more importantly, independent of the properties of the fluid (density, temperature, viscosity, pressure, heat-capacity or conductivity).