Non-Invasive Flow Measurement for Optically Non-Homogeneous Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring flow rates in process pipes, particularly in bleaching reactors, are unreliable due to disturbance from immersed devices and issues with tracer methods that contaminate the final product and provide fleeting signals in optically non-homogeneous materials.
Innovation Solution
A method involving illumination of optically non-homogeneous material through a window in a process pipe using a light source and imaging with a camera to determine velocity by correlating temporally successive images, allowing for accurate measurement without disturbing the flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a measuring device is immersed in the flow to measure flow rate, then measurement can be performed, but the flow is disturbed locally and measurement reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring device is extracted from the flow and placed outside the process pipe. The optical system (light source and camera) observes the flow through a window without immersing any sensing elements into the material stream, thereby eliminating flow disturbance while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
A window is introduced as an intermediary between the optical measuring system and the optically non-homogeneous material. This window allows optical signals to pass through for measurement while preventing direct contact between the measuring device and the material, thus avoiding flow disturbance
2Measurement precision
If a tracer is added to the flow to monitor travel time, then flow rate measurement is enabled, but the tracer contaminates the final product and signal quality deteriorates due to mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical/chemical tracer method is replaced with an optical measurement system. Instead of adding physical tracers to the flow, the system uses light illumination and camera imaging to track the movement of natural features in the optically non-homogeneous material, eliminating product contamination while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of modifying the flow with tracers, the system creates optical copies (images) of the flow at different time points. By correlating these successive images, the system tracks material movement without adding any substances to the product stream
3Measurement precision
If a temperature pulse is used to monitor flow, then flow rate measurement is possible, but the signal spreads and fades quickly due to mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal measurement method is replaced with an optical method. Instead of using temperature pulses that dissipate through thermal conduction and mixing, the system uses optical imaging to directly visualize and track material features, preserving signal quality without signal spreading or fading
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables reliable and non-invasive measurement of flow rates in optically non-homogeneous materials by determining velocity through image correlation, providing consistent and accurate data without contamination or signal decay.
Implementation Method 1
a light source that is arranged to illuminate the non-homogeneous material in the process pipe through a window
Implementation Method 2
imaging with a camera, through the window, illuminated non-homogeneous material in the process pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A method and arrangement are disclosed for measuring a flow rate of optically non-homogeneous material in a process pipe. The non-homogeneous material can be illuminated through a window. Images are taken with a camera, through a window, of illuminated non-homogeneous material. Correlation between temporally successive images determines travel performed by the non-homogeneous material in the process pipe between capture of temporally successive images. Velocity of the non-homogeneous material is determined by the time difference between the successive images and the travel.