A vibrating-element density meter is a mechanical oscillator with
known
properties,
for example a tuning fork or a simple rod, driven to vibrate at a known
frequency. The
oscillator is immersed in a fluid and the resonant frequency measured.
The density of
the fluid can then be inferred. We consider an idealized meter immersed
in two-phase
flows of various types, and investigate whether a simple single-phase interpretation
allows us to deduce the density of the mixture. We find that,
when the density contrast
between the two fluids is not great, the simple interpretation
gives good results, for
example in oil/water flows. However, when the density contrast
is significant, for
example in gas/liquid flows, the simple interpretation is highly inaccurate.