Real time monitoring of non-newtonian fluids
AssigneesThe Florida International University Board of Trustees, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC
InventorsDwayne E. McDaniel, Ahmadreza Abbasi Baharanchi, Michael Poirier, Shervin Tashakori
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Abstract
Systems and methods for determining the yield stress of a non-Newtonian fluid in real time are provided. A pressure loss and/or liquid rise technique, an ultrasonic technique, and/or a penetrometer technique can be used to determine the yield stress of a non-Newtonian fluid. The ultrasonic technique can include a longitudinal wave approach and/or a shear wave approach. The methods and systems are non-invasive and only require slight modifications to the piping containing the non-Newtonian fluid in order to measure the yield stress.
Claims13
A system for determining yield stress of a non-Newtonian fluid, the system comprising:
- a pipe containing the non-Newtonian fluid;
- an extension extending vertically from the pipe and configured to have a height of the non-Newtonian fluid contained therein measured;
- and
- a pressure measurement device configured to measure a first pressure at a first point where the non-Newtonian fluid is at its highest height within the extension and a second pressure at a second point where the extension meets the pipe,
- the yield stress of the non-Newtonian fluid being determined based on the height of the non-Newtonian fluid in the extension and based on the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure.
A system for determining yield stress of a non-Newtonian fluid, the system comprising:
- a pipe containing the non-Newtonian fluid;
- and
- an ultrasonic transducer in operable communication with the pipe and configured to measure speed of sound within the pipe,
- the yield stress of the non-Newtonian fluid being determined based on the speed of sound within the pipe.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.