In-line solids deposition sensor

Abstract

An in-line sensor for detecting solids deposition in a conduit is described. The sensor includes a body positionable to define at least a segment of a flow path for a fluid in or contiguous with the conduit; a cavity in the body which defines an electromagnetic resonant cavity that operates at frequencies up to and including microwave frequencies, with resonant properties sensitive to the presence of a solid phase deposited on a conduit surface. The sensor also includes one or more probes for exciting and monitoring an electromagnetic resonance of the cavity; and a signal processor operatively connected to said one or more probes to directly detect solids deposition on the conduit surface in response to detected changes in the resonant properties of the cavity. The sensor may be used to detect the composition and or thickness of the solid deposit in the conduit.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.