Method and apparatus for measuring the quantity of particulate material in a fluid stream
AssigneeNorsk Hydro a.s.
InventorsJohn P. Sargeant, Terje Sontvedt, Tom Solberg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Particles in a fluid stream are detected by utilizing one or more probes each provided with at least one measuring or erosion element. The probe is placed in the fluid stream, and the particle content is quantitatively determined by measuring changes of electrical resistance as a function of erosion of the measuring element due to contact with particles moving in the stream. The probe may be equipped with a measuring head having a V-shaped configuration directed upstream, and the two planar surfaces defining the V-shape may each be equipped with one or more measuring elements.
Claims14
A method for measuring the quantity of particulate material in a fluid stream, said method comprising:
- positioning within said fluid stream at least one measuring element that has the property of being worn errosively by said particulate material in said fluid stream and that has an electrical resistance that varies as a function of the degree of such wear;
- measuring changes of said electrical resistance of said measuring element and determining said detree of wear thereof;
- and
- determining the quantity (P) of said particulate material in said fluid stream according to:
- ##EQU2## wherein:
- r = said degree of wear;
- N = the number of measuring elements positioned within said stream
- .rho.m = density of fluid mixture
- Vm = speed of fluid structure
- d.sub.p = particle size of particulate material
- f = function that is dependent on the shape and orientation of said at least one measuring element
- A and B = estimated constants.
An apparatus for measuring the quantity of particulate material in a fluid stream, said apparatus comprising:
- at least one probe positionable to extend across the fluid stream;
- and
- said at least one probe having thereon at least one corrosion resistant measuring element that has the property of being worn errosively by the particulate material in the fluid stream, that has an electrical resistance that varies as a function of the degree of such wear, and that thereby forms means for, upon measurement of changes of electrical resistance thereof and determination of the degree of wear thereof, determining the quantity (P) of the particulate material in the fluid stream according to:
- ##EQU3## wherein:
- r = the degree of wear
- N = the number of measuring elements positioned within
- .rho.m = density of fluid mixture
- Vm = speed of fluid structure
- d.sub.p = particle size of particulate material
- f = function that is dependent on the shape and orientation of said at least one measuring element
- A and B = estimated constants.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.