A flow measuring system combines a density measuring device and a device
for measuring the speed of sound (SOS) propagating through the fluid flow
and/or for determining the gas volume fraction (GVF) of the flow. The GVF
meter measures acoustic pressures propagating through the fluids to
measure the speed of sound .alpha..sub.mix propagating through the fluid
to calculate at least gas volume fraction of the fluid and/or SOS. In
response to the measured density and gas volume fraction, a processing
unit determines the density of non-gaseous component of an aerated fluid
flow. For three phase fluid flows, the processing unit can determine the
phase fraction of the non-gaseous components of the fluid flow. The gas
volume fraction (GVF) meter may include a sensing device having a
plurality of strain-based or pressure sensors spaced axially along the
pipe for measuring the acoustic pressures propagating through the flow.