US 2004/0006409 A1Published application

Active acoustic spectroscopy

OwnerThomas Liljenberg, Stefan Backa +2inventors

InventorsThomas Liljenberg, Stefan Backa, Lennart Thegel, Mats Abom

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Abstract

In the prevent invention a controllable acoustic source (14) in connection with the process fluid (10) emits a signal (18) into the fluid (10), consisting of a suspension of particles (12), being volumes of gas, liquid or solid phase. The controllable acoustic signal (18) is allowed to interact with the particles (12), and the acoustic (pressure) signals (22) resulting from such an interaction is measured preferably via a sensor (24). A spectrum is measured. The spectrum is used to predict properties, content and/or size of the particles (12) and/or used to control a process in which the process fluid (10) participates. The prediction is performed in the view of the control of the acoustic source (14). The used acoustic signal has preferably a frequency below 20 kHz.

Claims47

Dependent claims

A method for analysis of a process fluid (10), being a suspension of particles (12), said particles (12) being volumes of gas, liquid or solid phase, said method comprising the steps of:

emitting acoustic signal into said process fluid (10);
measuring acoustic signals from said process fluid (10);
and
predicting, from said measured acoustic signals mechanical/chemical properties of said process fluid (10), characterised in that
said emitting step comprises emitting of controllable acoustic signal (18), being controllable by frequency, amplitude, phase and/or timing, into said process fluid (10) for interaction of said controllable acoustic signal (18) with said particles (12), being responsive to acoustic signals;
said measuring step comprises measuring of a spectrum of acoustic signals (22) from said process fluid (10), resulting from said interaction of said controllable acoustic signal (18) and said particles (12), said spectrum comprising frequencies below 20 kHz;
and
said predicting step comprises predicting, both from said measured spectrum of acoustic signals (22) and in view of the controlling of said controllable acoustic signal, mechanical/chemical properties of said particles (12) in said process fluid (10).

5 more elements

A method of system control for handling of a process fluid (10), being a suspension of particles (12), said particles (12) being volumes of gas, liquid or solid phase, said method comprising the steps of:

emitting acoustic signal into said process fluid (10);
and
measuring acoustic signals from said process fluid (10), characterised in that
said emitting step comprises emitting of controllable acoustic signal (18), being controllable by frequency, amplitude, phase and/or timing into said process fluid (10) for interaction of said controllable acoustic signal (18) with said particles (12), being responsive to acoustic signals;
said measuring step comprises measuring of a spectrum of acoustic signals (22) from said process fluid (10), resulting from said interaction of said controllable acoustic signal (18) and said particles (12), said spectrum comprising frequencies below 20 kHz;
and by the further steps of:
determining at least one process control parameter based both on said measured acoustic signals (22) and in view of the controlling of said controllable acoustic signal;
and
controlling a subprocess influencing mechanical/chemical properties of said particles (12) in said fluid (10) according to said determined processcontrol parameter(s).

6 more elements

An analysing apparatus for analysis of a process fluid (10), being a suspension of particles (12), said particles (12) being volumes of gas, liquid or solid phase, said apparatus comprising:

acoustic signal source (14);
acoustic signal sensor (24) for measuring of acoustic signals (22) from said process fluid (10);
and
data processing means (28) including a processor and connected to said acoustic signal sensor (24) for predicting of mechanical/chemical properties,
characterised by further comprising:
control means (16) for controlling said acoustic signal source (14) by frequency, amplitude, phase and/or timing;
and in that
said acoustic signal source (14) being arranged to emit a controllable acoustic signal (18) into said process fluid (10) for interaction with said particles (12);
that said acoustic signal sensor (24) is arranged for measuring a spectrum of acoustic signals (22) resulting from said interaction of said controllable acoustic signal (18) and said particles (12), said spectrum comprising frequencies below 20 kHz;
and
that said processor is arranged for predicting, both from said measured spectrum of acoustic signals (22) and in view of the controlling of said controllable acoustic signal, mechanical/chemical properties of said particles (12).

8 more elements

A process apparatus for handling a process fluid (10), being a suspension of particles (12), said particles (12) being volumes of gas, liquid or solid phase, said apparatus comprising:

means (38) for carrying out a subprocess influencing mechanical/chemical properties of said particles (12) in said fluid (10);
acoustic signal source (14);
and
acoustic signal sensor (24) for measuring acoustic signals (22) from said process fluid (10), characterised:
by further comprising control means (16) for controlling said acoustic signal source (14) by frequency, amplitude, phase and/or timing;
in that said acoustic signal source (14) being arranged to emit a controllable acoustic signal (18) into said process fluid (10) for interaction with said particles (12);
in that said acoustic signal sensor (24) is arranged for measuring a spectrum of acoustic signals (22) resulting from said interaction of said controllable acoustic signal (18) and said particles (12), said spectrum comprising frequencies below 20 kHz;
by further comprising data processing means (28) including a processor and connected to said acoustic signal sensor (24) for determination of at least one process control parameter based both on said measured spectrum of acoustic signals (22) and in view of the controlling of said controllable acoustic signal;
and
means (40) for controlling said means (38) for carrying out a subprocess according to said determined process control parameter(s).

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.