Mass flow meter
The mass flow meter does not measure the volume per unit time (e.g., cubic meters per second) passing through the device; it measures the mass per unit time (e.g., kilograms per second) flowing through the device. Volumetric flow rate is the mass flow rate divided by the fluid density. If the density is constant, then the relationship is simple. If the fluid has varying density, then the relationship is not simple. The density of the fluid may change with temperature, pressure, or composition, for example. The fluid may also be a combination of phases such as a fluid with entrained bubbles.
Actual density can be determined due to dependency of sound velocity on the controlled liquid concentration.
Flow conditions
In fluid measurement, the fluid's flow conditions (or flowing conditions) refer to quantities like temperature and static pressure of the metered substance. The flowing conditions are required data in order to calculate the density of the fluid at flowing conditions. The flowing density is in turn required in order to compensate the measured volume to quantity at base conditions.