Method and system for particle characterization in harsh environments
OwnerHai Lin, Gregor Arthur Waldherrinventors
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Abstract
Disclosed herein is a novel optical particle characterization system and method of use that can be applied to harsh environments. By separating the sensing components from the electronics unit and using optical fibers for interconnection, only the sensing components need to endure harsh environmental conditions. This reduces the design constraints on the electronics unit and permits the incorporation of optical components into the sensing probe that can withstand high-temperature and high-pressure environments.
Claims20
A system for optically detecting particles and measuring size distributions and mass concentrations of particulate matter in a gas or a liquid, the system comprising:
- one or more sensing probes each consisting of at least one or more light source pathways and at least one or more sensing pathways, where the source pathways direct a plurality of light beams through optional beam-shaping optics and into one or more detection zones and the sensing pathways have a plurality of optics that collects light scattered from particles in the detection zones and relays those optical signals to the electronics unit;
- one or more electronics units that houses a plurality of light sources, a plurality of detectors which convert the optical light scattering signal generated by particles passing through the detection zones into pulsed electrical signals whose amplitudes depend on the particle size, particle shape, and particle composition, corresponding light source and detector control electronics, a signal classifier which provides a plurality of size channels into which the measured pulsed signals are classified, and signal processing hardware to convert the classified pulsed signals into particle statistics including particle distribution, total particle volume, average particle size, average particle surface area, and particle mass concentration;
- and a plurality of optical fiber connections between the sensing probes and electronics units.
A method for optically detecting particles and measuring size distributions and mass concentrations of particulate matter in a gas or a liquid, the method comprising:
- providing a sensing probe in one or more locations, wherein each sensor probe consists of at least one light source pathway and at least one sensing pathway, where the source pathway directs a plurality of light beams through optional beam-shaping optics and into one or more detection zones and the sensing pathway has a plurality of optics that collect light scattered from particles in the detection zones and relays those optical signals to the electronics unit;
- providing one or more electronics units in one or more locations, wherein each electronics unit houses a plurality of light sources, a plurality of detectors which convert the optical light scattering signal generated by particles passing through the detection zones into pulsed electrical signals whose amplitudes depend on the particle size, particle shape, and particle composition, corresponding light source and detector control electronics, a signal classifier which provides a plurality of size channels into which the measured pulsed signals are classified, and signal processing hardware to convert the classified pulsed signals into particle statistics including particle distribution, total particle volume, average particle size, average particle surface area, and particle mass concentration;
- and providing a plurality of optical fiber connections between the sensing probes and electronics units.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.