Showing papers in "Measurement Science and Technology in 2008"

Structural health monitoring for a wind turbine system: a review of damage detection methods

Abstract: Renewable energy sources have gained much attention due to the recent energy crisis and the urge to get clean energy. Among the main options being studied, wind energy is a strong contender because of its reliability due to the maturity of the technology, good infrastructure and relative cost competitiveness. In order to harvest wind energy more efficiently, the size of wind turbines has become physically larger, making maintenance and repair works difficult. In order to improve safety considerations, to minimize down time, to lower the frequency of sudden breakdowns and associated huge maintenance and logistic costs and to provide reliable power generation, the wind turbines must be monitored from time to time to ensure that they are in good condition. Among all the monitoring systems, the structural health monitoring (SHM) system is of primary importance because it is the structure that provides the integrity of the system. SHM systems and the related non-destructive test and evaluation methods are discussed in this review. As many of the methods function on local damage, the types of damage that occur commonly in relation to wind turbines, as well as the damage hot spots, are also included in this review.

An in situ rapid heat–quench cell for small-angle neutron scattering

Abstract: A dual-temperature sample environment has been developed enabling the rapid heating and quenching of samples in situ for small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The rapid heat and quench cell (RHQC) allows samples to be rapidly heated up to 600 K and then quenched to 150 K, or vice versa, in a single shot or cycle mode, with the sample in position for data collection. Measured cooling rates of up to 11 K s−1 and heating rates up to 19 K s−1 have been recorded during the testing stages. First results using the RHQC on a hydrogenated/deuterated paraffin blend quenched from the melt illustrate the value of the device in accessing the early stage phase separation kinetics with SANS.

Self-powered autonomous wireless sensor node using vibration energy harvesting

Abstract: This paper reports the development and implementation of an energy aware autonomous wireless condition monitoring sensor system (ACMS) powered by ambient vibrations. An electromagnetic (EM) generator has been designed to harvest sufficient energy to power a radio-frequency (RF) linked accelerometer-based sensor system. The ACMS is energy aware and will adjust the measurement/transmit duty cycle according to the available energy; this is typically every 3 s at 0.6 m s?2 rms acceleration and can be as low as 0.2 m s?2 rms with a duty cycle around 12 min. The EM generator has a volume of only 150 mm3 producing an average power of 58 ?W at 0.6m s?2 rms acceleration at a frequency of 52 Hz. In addition, a voltage multiplier circuit is shown to increase the electrical damping compared to a purely resistive load; this allows for an average power of 120 ?W to be generated at 1.7 m s?2 rms acceleration. The ACMS has been successfully demonstrated on an industrial air compressor and an office air conditioning unit, continuously monitoring vibration levels and thereby simulating a typical condition monitoring application

Foot mounted inertial system for pedestrian navigation

Abstract: This paper discusses algorithmic concepts, design and testing of a system based on a low-cost MEMS-based inertial measurement unit (IMU) and high-sensitivity global positioning system (HSGPS) receivers for seamless personal navigation in a GPS signal degraded environment. The system developed here is mounted on a pedestrian shoe/foot and uses measurements based on the dynamics experienced by the inertial sensors on the user's foot. The IMU measurements are processed through a conventional inertial navigation system (INS) algorithm and are then integrated with HSGPS receiver measurements and dynamics derived constraint measurements using a tightly coupled integration strategy. The ability of INS to bridge the navigation solution is evaluated through field tests conducted indoors and in severely signal degraded forest environments. The specific focus is on evaluating system performance under challenging GPS conditions.

Low-charge detector for the monitoring of hyper-velocity micron-sized dust particles

Abstract: A new low-noise beam detector was developed, assembled and tested for the Heidelberg dust accelerator facility. The detector was used to determine in situ the charge, speed and mass of individual dust grains flying through a highly shielded metal cylinder with a length of 200 mm and integrated with a charge-sensitive amplifier Amptek model A250F/NF. Micron-sized latex and iron particles were fired at speeds between 5 and 50 km s−1. The detector characterizes dust particles with a primary charge of 1 fC, a speed of 20 km s−1 and a size of 0.1 µm with a signal-to-noise ratio of 6. The noise of the integrated detector system is typically 0.15 fC (950 electrons) in a bandwidth from 2 kHz to 10 MHz. The new detector allows the control and selection of particles either with a lower surface potential (low-conductive surfaces of polyaniline-coated polystyrene particles), or smaller grains with very small primary charges (sub-micron-sized grains with speeds above 10 km s−1).

Silicon carbide and its use as a radiation detector material

Abstract: We present a comprehensive review of the properties of the epitaxial 4H silicon carbide polytype (4H–SiC). Particular emphasis is placed on those aspects of this material related to room, high-temperature and harsh environment ionizing radiation detector operation. A review of the characterization methods and electrical contacting issues and how these are related to detector performance is presented. The most recent data on charge transport parameters across the Schottky barrier and how these are related to radiation spectrometer performance are presented. Experimental results on pixel detectors having equivalent noise energies of 144 eV FWHM (7.8 electrons rms) and 196 eV FWHM at +27 °C and +100 °C, respectively, are reported. Results of studying the radiation resistance of 4H–SiC are analysed. The data on the ionization energies, capture cross section, deep-level centre concentrations and their plausible structures formed in SiC as a result of irradiation with various particles are reviewed. The emphasis is placed on the study of the 1 MeV neutron irradiation, since these thermal particles seem to play the main role in the detector degradation. An accurate electrical characterization of the induced deep-level centres by means of PICTS technique has allowed one to identify which play the main role in the detector degradation.

The D20 instrument at the ILL: a versatile high-intensity two-axis neutron diffractometer

Abstract: D20 is a medium to high resolution two-axis diffractometer capable of producing a neutron flux of 108 s−1 cm−2 at the sample position. The 1536 detection cells of its curved linear position sensitive detector (PSD) cover a continuous 2θ range of 153.6° over a total solid angle of 0.27 sr. This combination of a high incident neutron flux and a large detector solid angle provides D20 with the fastest counting rate, at a given resolution, of any reactor-based neutron diffractometer. Different monochromators and take-off angles, plus optional Soller collimators and secondary slits, permit a wide choice in the Q-space range, wavelength, resolution and flux. A high-resolution configuration offers Δd/d ~ 2 × 10−3. Fast modern counting electronics allow in situ time-resolved experiments at the timescale of a few tens of milliseconds. In addition, a variety of sample environments, including an optional radial oscillating collimator for suppressing parasitic scattering, contribute to a rich scientific programme.

Methods for in-field user calibration of an inertial measurement unit without external equipment

Abstract: This paper presents methods to calibrate and compensate for non-zero biases, non-unit scale factors, axis misalignments and cross-axis sensitivities of both the tri-axial accelerometer and gyroscopic setups in a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) based inertial measurement unit (IMU). These methods depend on the Earth's gravity as a stable physical calibration standard. Specifically, the calibration of gyroscopes is significantly improved by comparing the outputs of the accelerometer and the IMU orientation integration algorithm, after arbitrary motions. The derived property and proposed cost function allow the gyroscopes to be calibrated without external equipment, such as a turntable, or requiring precise maneuvers. Both factors allow the IMU to be easily calibrated by the user in the field so that it can function as an accurate orientation sensor. A custom-made prototype IMU is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods, with data that are carefully obtained using prescribed motions, as well as those less rigorously collected from the IMU when it is mounted on the head of a user or held in hands with brief random movements. With calibration, the observed average static angular error is less than a quarter of a degree and the dynamic angular error is reduced by a factor of 2 to 5.

Surface measurement errors using commercial scanning white light interferometers

Abstract: This paper examines the performance of commercial scanning white light interferometers in a range of measurement tasks. A step height artefact is used to investigate the response of the instruments at a discontinuity, while gratings with sinusoidal and rectangular profiles are used to investigate the effects of surface gradient and spatial frequency. Results are compared with measurements made with tapping mode atomic force microscopy and discrepancies are discussed with reference to error mechanisms put forward in the published literature. As expected, it is found that most instruments report errors when used in regions close to a discontinuity or those with a surface gradient that is large compared to the acceptance angle of the objective lens. Amongst other findings, however, we report systematic errors that are observed when the surface gradient is considerably smaller. Although these errors are typically less than the mean wavelength, they are significant compared to the vertical resolution of the instrument and indicate that current scanning white light interferometers should be used with some caution if sub-wavelength accuracy is required.

Modulation transfer spectroscopy in atomic rubidium

Abstract: We report modulation transfer spectroscopy on the D2 transitions in 85Rb and 87Rb using a simple home-built electro-optic modulator (EOM). We show that both the gradient and amplitude of modulation transfer spectroscopy signals, for the 87Rb F = 2 → F' = 3 and the 85Rb F = 3 → F' = 4 transitions, can be significantly enhanced by expanding the beams, improving the signals for laser frequency stabilization. The signal gradient for these transitions is increased by a factor of 3 and the peak to peak amplitude was increased by a factor of 2. The modulation transfer signal for the 85Rb F = 2 → F' transitions is also presented to highlight how this technique can generate a single, clear line for laser frequency stabilization even in cases where there are a number of closely spaced hyperfine transitions.

A high-accuracy impedance spectrometer for measuring sediments with low polarizability

Abstract: Spectral impedance measurements are receiving increased attention with regard to the characterization of soils, sediments and rocks, particularly in terms of the internal rock structure, the mineralogical composition and the chemistry of fluids contained in porous rocks. In fluid-saturated, porous sedimentary rocks, which are of particular relevance for many hydrological and environmental problems, the polarization processes that give rise to an observed phase shift between input current and output voltage signals are caused by the interaction of the electrolyte in the pores of the rock with electrically charged mineral surfaces. However, this phase response is relatively weak, typically smaller than 10 mrad and sometimes even of the order of only 1 mrad. In order to reliably measure such phase responses in the relevant frequency range, a high-accuracy impedance spectrometer is required. This system must allow phase measurements between 1 mHz and 1 kHz with a phase accuracy better than 0.1 mrad. In this paper, we present a new impedance spectrometer which meets these requirements. It is based on the four-point measurement method and offers a measurement range from 1 mHz to 45 kHz. Furthermore, we present design information for the sample holder and the electrodes, and methods for performing numerical corrections to reduce measurement errors. The overall accuracy of the setup was validated using water and sand with well-defined polarizable objects.

Holographic microscopy and diffractive microtomography of transparent samples

Abstract: We present an optical tomographic diffractive microscope, a device able to image a complex refractive index distribution in three dimensions. Theoretical foundations are first recalled: diffraction under the first Born approximation explains the link between diffracted beam, object frequencies and physical properties of the object. We then describe our experimental setup, recording 2D interferograms in the image space, and detail the image reconstruction process underlying our tomographic microscope, which involves 2D transforms of the recorded interferograms, a peculiar 3D mapping of the data, and a final 3D Fourier reconstruction. We apply tomographic reconstruction to diatom skeletons, unicellular algae with cell walls made of silica, and compare it to holographic reconstruction. We further apply it to pollen grains and show differences between the real and imaginary parts of the measured complex refractive index. Finally, we also recall alternative tomographic methods.

An ultra fast electron beam x-ray tomography scanner

Abstract: This paper introduces the design of an ultra fast x-ray tomography scanner based on electron beam technology. The scanner has been developed for two-phase flow studies where frame rates of 1 kHz and higher are required. Its functional principle is similar to that of the electron beam x-ray CT scanners used in cardiac imaging. Thus, the scanner comprises an electron beam generator with a fast beam deflection unit, a semicircular x-ray production target made of tungsten alloy and a circular x-ray detector consisting of 240 CZT elements with 1.5 mm × 1.5 mm × 1.5 mm size each. The design is optimized with respect to ultra fast imaging of smaller flow vessels, such as pipes or laboratory-scale chemical reactors. In that way, the scanner is capable of scanning flow cross-sections at a speed of a few thousand frames per second which is sufficient to capture flows of a few meters per second velocity.

Design and characterization of a Raman-scattering-based sensor system for temporally resolved gas analysis and its application in a gas turbine power plant

Abstract: A sensor system for fast gas composition analysis is presented. Using linear Raman scattering the simultaneous detection of virtually all components of fuel gas mixtures such as natural gas and biogas can be achieved. The system consists of commercially available hardware components, in detail a frequency doubled continuous wave laser at 532 nm and a compact spectrometer with an embedded charge coupled device chip. For the evaluation of the Raman spectra a fast software module based on a contour fit algorithm is developed. Moreover, modules for controlling the hardware components are implemented in the sensor software ensuring simple operability of the entire system. In this paper the sensor is characterized in terms of, e.g., accuracy, reproducibility, detection limits and temporal performance. Finally its application for natural gas analysis in a gas turbine power plant is demonstrated, and the results obtained are compared to gas chromatography results.

The Bayesian approximation error approach for electrical impedance tomography?experimental results

Abstract: Inverse problems can be characterized as problems that tolerate measurement and modelling errors poorly. While the measurement error issue has been widely considered as a solved problem, the modelling errors have remained largely untreated. The approximation and modelling errors can, however, be argued to dominate the measurement errors in most applications. There are several applications in which the temporal and memory requirements dictate that the computational complexity of the forward solver be radically reduced. For example, in process tomography the reconstructions have to be carried out typically in a few tens of milliseconds. Recently, a Bayesian approach for the treatment of approximation and modelling errors for inverse problems has been proposed. This approach has proven to work well in several classes of problems, but the approach has not been verified in any problem with real data. In this paper, we study two different types of modelling errors in the case of electrical impedance tomography: one related to model reduction and one concerning partially unknown geometry. We show that the approach is also feasible in practice and may facilitate the reduction of the computational complexity of the nonlinear EIT problem at least by an order of magnitude.

Critical factors in SEM 3D stereo microscopy

Abstract: This work addresses dimensional measurements performed with the scanning electron microscope (SEM) using 3D reconstruction of surface topography through stereo-photogrammetry. The paper presents both theoretical and experimental investigations, on the effects of instrumental variables and measurement parameters on reconstruction accuracy. Investigations were performed on a novel sample, specifically developed and implemented for the tests. The description is based on the model function introduced by Piazzesi and adapted for eucentrically tilted stereopairs. Two main classes of influencing factors are recognized: the first one is related to the measurement operation and the instrument set-up; the second concerns the quality of scanned images and represents the major criticality in the application of SEMs for 3D characterizations.

Axial sub-nanometer accuracy in digital holographic microscopy

Abstract: We present state-of-the-art dual-wavelength digital holographic microscopy (DHM) measurement on a calibrated 8.9 nm high chromium thin step sample and demonstrate sub-nanometer axial accuracy. By using a modified DHM reference calibrated hologram (RCH) reconstruction method, a temporal averaging procedure and a specific dual-wavelength DHM arrangement, it is shown that specimen topography can be measured with an accuracy, defined as the axial standard deviation, reduced to at least 0.9 nm. Indeed for the first time to the best of our knowledge, it is reported that averaging each of the two wavefronts recorded with real-time dual-wavelength DHM can provide up to 30% spatial noise reduction for the given configuration. Moreover, the presented experimental configuration achieves a temporal stability below 0.8 nm, thus paving the way to Angstrom range for dual-wavelength DHM.

Image reconstruction by nonlinear Landweber iteration for complicated distributions

Abstract: In electrical capacitance tomography (ECT), a sensitivity matrix is usually calculated based on high permittivity perturbation with a low permittivity background and a fixed sensitivity matrix is used for both one-step and linear iterative image reconstruction. This paper presents a nonlinear iterative method with the sensitivity matrix updated during the iterative process. Using an updated sensitivity matrix, both the forward and inverse problems can be solved more accurately than using a fixed sensitivity matrix. Some complicated distributions, including 'sun-rise', cross, T and V shapes, have been examined using an 8-electrode sensor, with both noise-free simulation data and real measurements. The results are promising.

Retrieval of short ocean wave slope using polarimetric imaging

Abstract: We present a passive optical remote sensing technique for recovering shape information about a water surface, in the form of a two-dimensional slope map. The method, known as polarimetric slope sensing (PSS), uses the relationship between surface orientation and the change in polarization of reflected light to infer the instantaneous two-dimensional slope across the field-of-view of an imaging polarimeter. For unpolarized skylight, the polarization orientation and degree of linear polarization of the reflected skylight provide sufficient information to determine the local surface slope vectors. A controlled laboratory experiment was carried out in a wave tank with mechanically generated gravity waves. A second study was performed from a pier on the Hudson River, near Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. We demonstrated that the two-dimensional slope field of short gravity waves could be recovered accurately without interfering with the fluid dynamics of the air or water, and water surface features appear remarkably realistic. The combined field and laboratory results demonstrate that the polarimetric camera gives a robust characterization of the fine-scale surface wave features that are intrinsic to wind-driven air‐sea interaction processes.

A magnetic induction tomography system for samples with conductivities below 10 S m-1

Abstract: A 16-channel magnetic induction tomography (MIT) system has been constructed for imaging samples with low conductivities (<10 S m−1) such as biological tissues or ionized water in pipelines The system has a fixed operating frequency of 10 MHz and employs heterodyne downconversion of the received signals, to 10 kHz, to reduce phase instabilities during signal distribution and processing The real and imaginary components of the received signal, relative to a synchronous reference, are measured using a digital lock-in amplifier Images are reconstructed using a linearized reconstruction method based on inversion of a sensitivity matrix with Tikhonov regularization System performance measurements and images of a pipeline phantom and a human leg in vivo are presented The average phase precision of the MIT system is 17 millidegrees

Sub-micron resolution CT for failure analysis and process development

Abstract: Many modern industrial processes and research applications place increasingly higher demands on x-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging resolution and sensitivity for low-contrast specimens with a low atomic number. The three approaches to increasing imaging resolution are (1) reduction in the x-ray spot size, (2) use of higher resolution detectors or (3) employment of x-ray optical elements. Systems that pursue one or more of these approaches are available and under continued development. The Xradia MicroXCT™ projection-type microscope described in this paper has been optimized for high-resolution x-ray CT by employing a high-resolution detector paired with a microfocus x-ray source. Large working distances in this CT system enable full tomographic data collection at micrometre resolution of large samples, such as flip-chip packages. X-ray CT instruments using x-ray optical elements for condenser optics and imaging objective lenses are a new development capable of reaching sub-50 nm resolution. These instruments find various applications, including die-level imaging in the semiconductor industry as well as the process development for fuel cells, which we describe here as one application. Sub-micron resolution CT instruments without x-ray optical elements have a large application base already; however, new instruments optimized for soft materials and low-contrast specimens, such as the Xradia nanoXCT™, offer completely new capabilities and open new applications. New developments in the area of phase contrast imaging enable unprecedented image contrast for specimens with very low absorption, which for research applications enables for the first time the imaging of many specimens in their natural state (e.g., arteries to examine calcification). Zernike phase contrast for sub-50 nm x-ray CT even enables the imaging of single cell or thin tissue slices for biological or medical applications.

Particle measurement programme (PMP) light-duty inter-laboratory exercise: comparison of different particle number measurement systems

Abstract: The particle measurement programme (PMP) used a particle measurement system (reference system (RS)) to quantify the particle number emissions of several vehicles. The RS was circulated around several laboratories to represent an internal standard. During the exercise dilution factors, losses and volatile removal efficiencies of the RS were regularly checked. In parallel with the RS, some labs employed their own particle measurement systems (lab systems (LS)) to determine the emissions of the same test vehicles. Comparisons between results from the RS and the LS showed that several different instruments were capable of measuring particle number emissions to within ±15% across an emission range of four orders of magnitude. Real-time emission patterns also correlated well in most cases. However, larger differences were observed when dilution factors and losses were not accurately determined and subjected to correction. Equivalence between measurement systems can be achieved once calibration and validation procedures are standardized for both manufacturers and users.

MACS?a new high intensity cold neutron spectrometer at NIST

Abstract: We describe a novel cold neutron spectrometer under development at NIST optimized for wave vector resolved spectroscopy with incident energies between 2.1 meV and 20 meV and energy resolution from 0.05 meV (Ei = 2. 1m eV) to 3.0 meV (Ei = 20 meV). By using a 1428 cm 2 double focusing PG (0 0 2) monochromator close to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) cold neutron source the instrument provides up to 5 × 10 8 neutrons cm −2 s −1 on a 8 cm 2 sample area. The measured performance is consistent with Monte Carlo simulations. The monochromating system, which includes radial collimators, three filters and a variable beam aperture, offers considerable flexibility in optimizing Q-resolution, energy resolution and intensity. The detector system will consist of an array of 20 channels which combined will subtend a solid angle of 0.2 sr. This is approximately a factor of 40 more than a conventional triple axis spectrometer. Each detector channel contains a vertically focusing double crystal analyzer system (DXAL) actuated by a single stepping motor. We find identical integrated reflectivity at approximately 10% coarser energy resolution for the 130 � mosaic double bounce analyzer as compared to a conventional 25 � analyzer at the same energy. The vertical focusing of the DXAL allows for smaller detectors for enhanced signal to noise with 8 ◦ vertical acceptance. Options for post sample collimators and filters provide flexibility in the choice of scattered beam energy and wavevector resolution.

In situ combustion measurements of H 2 O and temperature near 2.5 µm using tunable diode laser absorption

Abstract: In situ combustion measurements of water vapor concentration and gas temperature were carried out with a new tunable diode laser sensor near 2.5 µm. Recent availability of room-temperature semiconductor diode lasers operating at longer wavelengths provides access to fundamental vibrational bands (ν1 and ν3) of H2O. These bands have stronger absorption line strength compared to the overtone (2ν1, 2ν3) and combination (ν1 + ν3) vibrational bands in the near-infrared region probed previously with telecommunication diode lasers. The absorption transitions of H2O vapor in the 2.5–3.0 µm region are systematically analyzed via spectral simulation, and optimal spectral line pairs are selected for combustion measurements in the temperature range of 1000–2500 K. Fundamental spectroscopic parameters (line strength, line position and line-broadening coefficients) of the selected transitions are determined via laboratory measurements in a heated cell. Absorption measurements of H2O concentration and temperature are then made in a laboratory flat-flame burner to illustrate the potential of this sensor for sensitive and accurate measurements in combustion gases with short optical path lengths.

Flame colour characterization in the visible and infrared spectrum using a digital camera and image processing

Abstract: An attempt has been made to characterize the colour spectrum of methane flame under various burning conditions using RGB and HSV colour models instead of resolving the real physical spectrum. The results demonstrate that each type of flame has its own characteristic distribution in both the RGB and HSV space. It has also been observed that the averaged B and G values in the RGB model represent well the CH* and C*2 emission of methane premixed flame. Theses features may be utilized for flame measurement and monitoring. The great advantage of using a conventional camera for monitoring flame properties based on the colour spectrum is that it is readily available, easy to interface with a computer, cost effective and has certain spatial resolution. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that a conventional digital camera is able to image flame not only in the visible spectrum but also in the infrared. This feature is useful in avoiding the problem of image saturation typically encountered in capturing the very bright sooty flames. As a result, further digital imaging processing and quantitative information extraction is possible. It has been identified that an infrared image also has its own distribution in both the RGB and HSV colour space in comparison with a flame image in the visible spectrum.

Towards 3C-3D digital holographic fluid velocity vector field measurement?tomographic digital holographic PIV (Tomo-HPIV)

Abstract: Most unsteady and/or turbulent flows of geophysical and engineering interest have a highly three-dimensional (3D) complex topology and their experimental investigation is in pressing need of quantitative velocity measurement methods that are robust and can provide instantaneous 3C-3D velocity field data over a significant volumetric domain of the flow. This paper introduces and demonstrates a new method that uses multiple digital CCD array cameras to record in-line digital holograms of the same volume of seed particles from multiple orientations. This technique uses the same basic equipment as Tomo-PIV minus the camera lenses, it overcomes the depth-of-field problem of digital in-line holography and does not require the complex optical calibration of Tomo-PIV. The digital sensors can be oriented in an optimal manner to overcome the depth-of-field limitation of in-line holograms recorded using digital CCD or CMOS array cameras, resulting in a 3D reconstruction of the seed particles within the volume of interest, which can subsequently be analysed using 3D cross-correlation PIV analysis to yield a 3C-3D velocity field. A demonstration experiment of Tomo-HPIV using uniform translation with nominally 11 µm diameter seed particles shows that the 3D displacement derived from 3D cross-correlation Tomo-HPIV analysis can be measured within 5% of the imposed uniform translation, where the imposed uniform translation has an estimated standard uncertainty of 4.3%. So this paper proposes a multi-camera digital holographic imaging 3C-3D PIV method, which is identified as tomographic digital holographic PIV or Tomo-HPIV.

Design and geometry optimization of a conductivity probe with a vertical multiple electrode array for measuring volume fraction and axial velocity of two-phase flow

Abstract: This paper presents the design and geometry optimization of a conductivity probe with a vertical multiple electrode array (VMEA), which can be used to measure the volume fraction and axial velocity of two-phase flow. The designed VMEA electrodes are axially flush mounted on the inside wall of an insulating duct. On the basis of a finite element analysis method, some new sensor optimization concepts of the electric field such as uniform degree, spatial sensitivity and effective information content are proposed. The designed VMEA measurement system has been tested through the multiphase flow loop and shows that the optimized VMEA can be used to measure cross-correlation velocity and predict volume fraction in vertical upward gas–water two-phase flow with satisfactory accuracy. The proposed optimization method of VMEA can also be useful in investigating other types of conductivity probes.

Evaluation of measurement uncertainty and its numerical calculation by a Monte Carlo method

Abstract: The Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) is the de facto standard for the evaluation of measurement uncertainty in metrology. Recently, evaluation of measurement uncertainty has been proposed on the basis of probability density functions (PDFs) using a Monte Carlo method. The relation between this PDF approach and the standard method described in the GUM is outlined. The Monte Carlo method required for the numerical calculation of the PDF approach is described and illustrated by its application to two examples. The results obtained by the Monte Carlo method for the two examples are compared to the corresponding results when applying the GUM.

EIT measurement system with high phase accuracy for the imaging of spectral induced polarization properties of soils and sediments

Abstract: A powerful method for the non-invasive structural characterization of material is electrical impedance tomography (EIT) combined with the capabilities of impedance spectroscopy. This method determines the complex resistivity magnitude and phase images at a set of different measurement frequencies. We are particularly interested in the application of such an advanced approach for the improved characterization of soils and sediments, which only show a weak polarizability. Here, typical phase values lie between 1 and 20 mrad only, requiring instrumentation with relatively high phase resolution and accuracy. In this paper, we present a new spectral EIT data acquisition system for laboratory applications, which operates in the frequency range from 1 mHz to 45 kHz and which was developed to meet these requirements. In this context, we also present a new measurement method based on current injection swapping, which leads to significantly improved phase images, particularly for higher measurement frequencies. The system and the new measurement method are tested on a water-filled tank and column containing different 2D and 3D targets (metallic and biological objects). The tests prove a phase accuracy of 1 mrad for frequencies of up to 1 kHz and higher, resulting in a clear discrimination of the objects on the basis of the reconstructed phase images.