Immersion Multiphase Probe Using Telecentric Lens and LED Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multiphase reactor measurement technologies face challenges such as interference from conductive fluids, probe breakage, high costs, and limited accuracy due to image distortion and requirements for transparent reactors, especially when measuring high-speed particles in multiphase reactors.
Innovation Solution
An immersion-type online multiphase measuring instrument with a telecentric lens and adjustable LED illumination system, integrated with a CMOS or CCD camera, allowing for real-time imaging and analysis of particle distributions within multiphase reactors, adaptable to both transparent and opaque systems, and capable of withstanding high temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conductance probe is used for measurement, then measurement capability is achieved, but the measured multiphase flow must be conductive which limits applicability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical measurement methods (conductance probes) with optical measurement methods (telecentric imaging system). By using light instead of electrical signals, the system can measure both conductive and non-conductive multiphase flows, eliminating the limitation that the measured flow must be conductive while maintaining measurement capability.
2Reliability
If optical fiber probe is used for measurement, then measurement capability is achieved, but the probe is very easy to be broken which reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the imaging system from a fragile optical fiber probe configuration and implements it as a robust telecentric lens system with separate illumination and detection paths. The telecentric lens and LED illumination system are housed in a protective structure that can withstand harsh reactor environments, eliminating the fragility issue while maintaining measurement capability.
3Measurement precision
If regular wide-angle lens is used for imaging, then field of view is increased, but image distortion increases which reduces measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces a regular wide-angle lens with a telecentric lens system. The telecentric lens design provides a corrected field of view with minimal distortion (distortion coefficient less than 0.1% compared to 1-2% for regular wide-angle lenses), thereby maintaining measurement precision while still achieving adequate field of view for particle size and velocity measurements.
4Ease of operation
If non-intrusive photography is used, then flow field interference is eliminated, but reactor transparency requirements and viewport installations increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a small-diameter telecentric probe as an intermediary measurement device that can be inserted into the multiphase flow. The probe contains integrated LED illumination and telecentric imaging components, allowing it to function as a self-contained measurement system that minimizes flow disturbance while not requiring reactor transparency or viewports.
5Measurement precision
If invasive telecentric probe is used, then image distortion is reduced, but probe length requirements and light intensity reduction in fluid medium increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the illumination system (LED lamps) and imaging system (telecentric lens and image sensor) into a single integrated probe structure. The LED lamps are positioned around the telecentric lens within the same housing, allowing synchronized operation and eliminating the need for separate illumination and measurement devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pulse illumination using LED lamps that flash at controlled intervals synchronized with the image sensor exposure timing. This periodic action provides adequate illumination for high-speed particle capture while minimizing light absorption issues in the fluid medium, as the brief pulse duration reduces cumulative light loss.
6Measurement precision
If standard camera is used for imaging, then cost is reduced, but image clarity and distortion correction capability are insufficient which reduces measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces standard camera lenses with a telecentric lens system that provides superior image quality with minimal distortion. The telecentric design inherently corrects for perspective errors and provides uniform magnification across the field of view, delivering the measurement precision required for accurate particle size and velocity determination.
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 precise, real-time measurement of particle size, velocity, and concentration distributions in multiphase reactors with minimal disturbance to the flow field, suitable for various multiphase systems, including two-phase and three-phase flows, and is cost-effective with improved image clarity and reduced distortion.
Implementation Method 1
including LED lamps and a brightness-adjustable light source connected with the LED lamps
Implementation Method 2
a photographic system for taking pictures, including a telecentric lens and an image sensor
Implementation Method 3
a photographic system for taking pictures, including a telecentric lens and an image sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an immersion-type online multiphase measuring instrument and method. The instrument includes a package tube; a viewport; LED lamps and a brightness-adjustable light source system including a power supply, a signal generator and an oscilloscope; a telecentric lens and an image sensor; a controller; a signal processing and outputting system; and a display system. The LED lamps, the telecentric lens and the image sensor are located in the package tube. The exposure period of the image sensor is less than the pulse period of the signal generator. The photographic probe used in this measuring instrument has the advantages of online quantitative measurement, small size, portability, less-impact of fluid temperature and the surrounding environment, adaptability to transparent and opaque reactors with two-phase, three-phase and more than three-phase.