System and method for measuring fluid properties using magnetic field techniques via magnetic tracer

A method of determining a property of a fluid in a vessel, comprising:

• applying a first magnetic field to the fluid in the vessel from outside of the vessel to rotationally align magnetic dipole particles in the fluid;
• stopping applying the first magnetic field to the fluid in the vessel when the magnetic dipole particles in the fluid are rotationally aligned;
• after stopping applying the first magnetic field, detecting a second magnetic field outside of the vessel, wherein the second magnetic field is generated by the magnetic dipole particles in the fluid;
• determining a flow of fluid in the vessel from the second magnetic field;
• and
• displaying a graphical representation of the flow of fluid in the vessel.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a magnetic field generator;
• a magnetic field generator controller configured to control the magnetic field generator to apply a first magnetic field to a fluid in a vessel from outside of the vessel to rotationally align magnetic dipole particles in the fluid and to stop applying the first magnetic field to the fluid in the vessel when the magnetic dipole particles in the fluid are rotationally aligned;
• a magnetic field sensor configured to detect a second magnetic field outside of the vessel, wherein the second magnetic field is generated by the magnetic dipole particles in the fluid after applying the first magnetic field to the fluid in the vessel is stopped;
• a fluid flow calculator configured to determine a flow of the fluid in the vessel from the second magnetic field;
• and
• a display generator configured to generate a graphical representation of the flow of fluid in the vessel.