Non-invasive, in-line consistency measurement of a non-newtonian fluid
AssigneeThe Davey Company
InventorStephen C. Dodd
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Provided herein is an in-line, non-invasive device and method for calculation of consistency of a non-Newtonian fluid flowing in a laminar manner through a non-rotating conduit where the consistency is calculated directly from a power-law model equation employing as independent variables pressure head loss over a specific distance and the bulk velocity of the fluid.
Claims20
A method for measuring and monitoring the consistency of a fluid having at least two components and flowing through a conduit, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a fluid feedstock into a conduit in a manner where the fluid flows through the conduit in a substantially non-turbulent manner,
- (b) sensing the velocity of the fluid feedstock flowing through the conduit,
- (c) sensing the pressure of the fluid at two points separated by a selected distance along the conduit,
- (d) determining the pressure differential between the two points,
- (e) inputting values of the pressure differential, distance and velocity into a calculating device, and
- (f) calculating the consistency of the fluid according to a power-law algorithm applicable to the cross-sectional geometry of the conduit.
A method of controlling the consistency of a liquid comprised of at least two components and which simulates a pseudoplastic when flowing in a substantially laminar condition through a substantially circular conduit, the steps comprising:
- (a) flowing said liquid in a substantially laminar conditon through the conduit,
- (b) measuring the bulk velocity of said fluid as it flows through said conduit,
- (c) measuring any change in the pressure of the fluid in said conduit as said fluid flows between two points spaced a distance L from each other,
- (d) adjusting the level of a component in the liquid to thereby control the consistency of the liquid in response to the following formula:
- ##EQU15## where C=consistency (%)
A method of controlling the consistency of a liquid comprised of at least two components and which simulates a pseudoplastic when flowing in a substantially laminar condition through a conduit of a slotted cross-sectional configuration, the steps comprising:
- (a) flowing said liquid in a substantially laminar condition through the conduit of a slotted cross-sectional configuration,
- (b) measuring the bulk velocity of said fluid as it flows through said conduit,
- (c) measuring any change in the pressure of the fluid in said conduit as said fluid flows between two points spaced a distance L from each other,
- (d) adjusting the level of a component in the liquid to thereby control the consistency of the liquid in response to the following formula:
- ##EQU16## where C=consistency (%).
An apparatus for monitoring the consistency of a liquid composed of at least two components simulating a non-Newtonian fluid when flowing in a substantially laminar manner through a conduit of a given cross-sectional configuration, comprising:
- (a) means for flowing said fluid in a substantially laminar manner through the conduit,
- (b) means for measuring the bulk velocity of the fluid flowing through the conduit, said measuring means producing a signal representative of the bulk velocity,
- (c) at least two separate and spaced apart means for sensing the pressure of the fluid in the conduit where each sensing means produces a signal representative of the pressure at each point, and
- (d) means for directly calculating consistency of the liquid according to a power-law model requiring as independent values, said representative signals.
An apparatus for controlling the consistency of a liquid comprised of at least two components and which simulates a non-Newtonian fluid when flowing in a substantially laminar condition through a conduit of a given cross-sectional configuration, comprising:
- (a) means for flowing said liquid in a substantially laminar condition through the conduit of a given cross-sectional configuration,
- (b) means for measuring the bulk velocity of said fluid as it flows through said conduit,
- (c) means for measuring any change in the pressure of the fluid in said conduit as said fluid flows between two points spaced a distance L from each other,
- (d) means for adjusting the level of a component in the liquid to thereby control the consistency of the liquid in response to the formula:
- ##EQU19## where C=consistency (%).
An apparatus for controlling the consistency of a liquid comprised of at least two components and which simulates a non-Newtonian fluid when flowing in a substantially laminar condition through a conduit of a given cross-sectional configuration, comprising:
- (a) means for flowing said liquid in a substantially laminar condition through the conduit of a given cross-sectional configuration,
- (b) means for measuring the bulk velocity of said fluid as it flows through said conduit,
- (c) means for measuring any change in the pressure of the fluid in said conduit as said fluid flows between two points spaced a distance L from each other,
- (d) means for adjusting the level of a component in the liquid to thereby control the consistency of the liquid in response to the formula:
- ##EQU20## where C=consistency (%).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.