Flow Measurement Based on Two-Dimensional Flexural Ultrasonic Phased Arrays

Kang, L., Feeney, A. and Dixon, S. (2017) Flow Measurement Based on Two-Dimensional Flexural Ultrasonic Phased Arrays. In: 2017 International Congress on Ultrasonics, Honolulu, HI, USA, 18-20 Dec 2017, 045012. (doi: 10.1121/2.0000708)

Abstract

Transit-time flow measurement is a technology which has been increasingly utilized in recent years, in industries such as petrochemical, water, and gas. In general, this method of flow measurement employs two ultrasonic transducers, one situated upstream, and the other downstream. The fluid flow is then characterized via transmission and detection of ultrasound using the transducers. However, there are notable limitations of the transit-time method, including drift of the propagation direction of the ultrasonic beam. This is termed the sound drift effect. This paper reports on the latest developments of ultrasonic phased arrays, which are a potentially robust and economic solution to compensating for this sound drift effect. The design and fabrication of phased arrays is discussed, and experimental flow measurement results are reported, utilizing flow rates from 0 to 2500 m3/h. The results show that the compensation of the sound drift effect has been achieved, demonstrating the feasibility of phased arrays for accurate ultrasonic flow measurement.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Additional Information: The EU’s SACUT project (Ref. No. 612118) under the Marie Curie Industry-Academia Pathways & Partnership (IAPP) action, and the EPSRC grant EP/N025393/1, are acknowledged for funding this research.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Feeney, Dr Andrew
• Authors: Kang, L., Feeney, A., and Dixon, S.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
• ISSN: 1939-800X
• Published Online: 05 April 2018
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 Acoustical Society of America
• First Published: First published in Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics 32(1): 045012
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy