Apparatus for measuring a sorbate dispersed in a fluid stream

Apparatus for measuring first and second sorbates dispersed in a fluid stream comprising:

• signal source means for generating an alternating-current signal;
• acoustic transmission line means for disposition in the fluid stream and including an elongated body having a first surface capable of sorbing an amount of a first sorbate to be measured representative of the concentration thereof in the fluid stream, said body being capable of propagating acoustic energy along its length from a central portion to a first end portion, the propagated acoustic energy being damped in amplitude and shifted in phase such that the change in amplitude or phase is proportional to the amount of said first sorbate sorbed by said first surface, and having a second surface capable of sorbing an amount of a second sorbate to be measured representative of the concentration thereof in the fluid stream, said body being capable of propagating acoustic energy along its length from said central portion to a second end portion, such propagated energy being damped in amplitude and shifted in phase such that the change in amplitude or phase is proportional to the amount of said second sorbate sorbed by said second surface;
• first transducing means for converting said alternating-current signal to acoustic energy and for applying said acoustic energy to said central portion;
• second transducing means for converting the acoustic energy propagated to said first end portion to a corresponding first electrical signal;
• third transducing means for converting the acoustic energy propagated to said second end portion to a corresponding second electrical signal;
• first comparator means for comparing said first electrical signal to said alternating-current signal and for developing a first output signal corresponding to a difference therebetween, said first output signal being indicative of the concentration of said first sorbate in the fluid stream;
• and
• second comparator means for comparing said second electrical signal to said alternating-current signal and for developing a second output signal corresponding to a difference therebetween, said second output signal being indicative of the concentration of said second sorbate in the fluid stream.

Apparatus for measuring a sorbate dispersed in a fluid stream comprising:

• signal source means for generating an alternating-current signal;
• acoustic transmission line means for disposition in the fluid stream and including an elongated body having a surface capable of sorbing an amount of a first sorbate to be measured representative of the concentration thereof in the fluid stream, said body being capable of propagating acoustic energy along its length from one end portion to another end portion, the propagated acoustic energy being damped in amplitude and shifted in phase such that the change in amplitude or phase is proportional to the amount of sorbate sorbed by said surface;
• first transducing means for converting said alternating current signal to acoustic energy and for applying said acoustic energy to said one end portion;
• second transducing means for converting the acoustic energy propagated to said other end portion to a corresponding first electrical signal;
• comparator means for comparing said first electrical signal to said alternating current signal and for developing an output signal corresponding to a difference therebetween, said output signal being indicative of the concentration of the sorbate in the fluid stream;
• said body including a length of wire;
• and
• said first and second transducing means being magnetostrictive devices disposed around said wire at respective end portions thereof, said first magnetostrictive device serving to torsionally vibrate said wire and said second magnetostrictive device serving to convert the torsional vibrations propagated through said wire to said other end portion to a corresponding electrical signal.