Non-linear ultrasound method and apparatus for quantitative detection of materials (liquids, gas, plasma)

A method for determining a flow rate of a quantity of fluid based on a weight of the quantity of fluid, the method comprising:

• providing a pipe holding the quantity of fluid;
• positioning at least a first acoustic sensor on an exterior wall of the pipe at a first location;
• positioning at least a second acoustic sensor on the exterior wall of the pipe at a second location, wherein the second location is different from the first location, and wherein a distance between the first and second locations is determinable, wherein an acoustic signal is transmitted into the pipe to determine a fill level of the quantity of fluid within the pipe;
• sensing a temperature of the quantity of fluid within the pipe with a temperature sensor;
• calculating, with a processor of a computerized device in communication with the first and second acoustic sensors and the temperature sensor, a temperature-compensated fluid density of the quantity of fluid based on the sensed temperature of the quantity of fluid and a temperature-compensated acoustic signal;
• calculating, with the processor of the computerized device, a weight of the quantity of fluid using a volume of the pipe, the determined fill level, the sensed temperature of the quantity of fluid, and the temperature-compensated fluid density;
• and
• calculating, with the processor of the computerized device, a differential time of flight of the quantity of fluid based on at least readings of the first and second acoustic sensors and the calculated weight of the quantity of fluid to determine a flow by weight of the quantity of fluid.

A system for determining a flow rate of a quantity of fluid based on a weight of the quantity of fluid, the system comprising:

• a pipe holding the quantity of fluid;
• a first acoustic sensor positioned on an exterior wall of the pipe at a first location;
• a second acoustic sensor positioned on the exterior wall of the pipe at a second location, wherein the second location is different from the first location, and wherein a distance between the first and second locations is determinable;
• a temperature sensor sensing a temperature of the quantity of fluid within the pipe;
• a computerized device in communication with the first and second acoustic sensors, wherein a processor of the computerized device calculates a differential time of flight of the quantity of fluid based on readings of the first and second acoustic sensors, the sensed temperature of the quantity of fluid, a volume of the pipe, and at least one of a fluid identity or a fluid density, wherein a flow by weight of the quantity of fluid is determined;
• and
• an injection unit holding a second quantity of fluid for injection into the pipe, wherein a rate of injection of the second quantity of fluid is based on the determined velocity flow of the quantity of fluid.