The Flow-Viz System
The Flow-Viz system uses an Ultrasonic Velocity Profiling (UVP) technique in order to measure an instantaneous velocity profile in a fluid containing particles across the ultrasonic beam axis. Newly designed sensor technology is used in transmitting and receiving mode to measure velocity profiles in pipe flow through stainless steel. A pressure difference measurement (PD) is used in combination with the velocity profile to determine shear viscosities and rheological model parameters. In parallel with obtaining radial velocity profiles, a data acquisition module continuously monitors the pressure and temperature (or other user selectable channels) and therefore is able to accurately visualize the flow, determine the flow-rate, rheological properties and concentration of solids, all in real-time. Specific measured parameters set by the user can be linked to an output analog signal and fed back in order to control and optimize a specific process.
Schematic drawing of the Flow-Viz system
System Description
The system consists of three components:
1) Operator’s panel
Pulser-receiver, DAQ, power supply, main CPU
2) Sensor Unit
Measuring section including all sensors. The Flow-Viz sensor unit is completely non-invasive thus no extra pressure drops are present. Measurements are made through industrial high grade SS316L stainless steel.
The measuring sensor also includes a differential pressure (DP) sensor and a non-invasive PT100 sensor.
3) Software
User interface, signal processing, visualization, post processing of data
The system and method is based on 10 years of optimization and development of the UVP+PD-combination. All aspects have been carefully optimized; the sensors, the signal processing and the algorithms. The result is an effective method, able to:
- Produce and visualize complete flow profiles in high resolution
- Describe in detail how the flow behaves (rheology)
- Visualize and characterize non-Newtonian liquids in complex geometries (pipe bends and pumps)
- Continuously measure the flow in real-time (it only takes a few milliseconds to send a pulse, receive it and analyze it)
The sensor can handle all types of liquids, emulsions and suspensions, provided that the fluids have suspended solids or bubbles in order to reflect the Doppler signal. It can even handle non-transparent liquids and liquids with very high particle concentrations, e.g. cement based grouts. The method is not suitable for gas/steam due to the relatively low velocity of sound in gas/steam.