Flow-VizTM –A fully integrated and commercial in-line fluid characterization system for industrial applications
- Publication date
- Publisher
- Ubertone
Abstract
The enhanced tube viscometer concept aiming to
derive information on the flow behavior of
industrial fluids using the UVP+PD methodology,
i.e. Ultrasound Velocity Profiling (UVP) with
Pressure Difference (PD) is older than 30 years
[1]. Despite this, no in-line fluids characterization
instrument based on Doppler velocimetry has
been made commercially available meeting
industrial requirements [2].
In this work we present an embedded in-line fluids
characterization system, “Flow-VizTM”, specifically
designed for the in-line velocity profile
measurements and rheological assessment of
opaque, non-Newtonian industrial fluids. The
Flow-VizTM, system is the result of the work of
several research groups that have systematically
improved this concept for a period of more than
14 years to ensure that the system can be used in
industry for a quantitative analysis of the
rheological properties of real industrial fluids,
[2-5]. New improved and extended UVP+PD
electronics, based on former work [6-8] have been
developed. In industrial processes it is an
absolute requirement to measure non-invasively
through stainless steel pipes. Despite this, no
such transducer technology has been made
available as an off-the-shelf product [2,5]. To
overcome this limitation, new non-invasive sensor
technology has been developed, optimized and
validated for SS316L stainless steel process pipes
of different diameters and wall thicknesses [2,5].
The instrument has been validated to meet
industrial requirements for many different
applications and to deliver accurate real-time
data, such as instantaneous velocity profiles and
rheology of opaque industrial fluids [2-4, 7-8]. The
Flow-VizTM system is already installed in industry,
e.g. for chocolate and grouting applications