Sand detector
AssigneeNorsk Hydro a.s.
InventorTerje Sontvedt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of measuring or detecting an unknown distribution and content of solid material in a flow of liquid and gas is achieved without any calibration. One or several activated probes or specimens emitting radiation are used. The radiation is measured by a detector on the outside of the flow pipe. Each probe emits radiation only to one detector. The probes are mounted apart both lengthwise and across the pipe section. The probes are mounted at an angle .alpha. to the fluid flow, 20.degree.<.alpha.60.degree.. Without any signal analyses, the probes will register whether the fluid flow contains solid material if the thickness of the probes is reduced 0.1 %. The particle content is calculated with a 0.25% thickness reduction. The amount of the particles impinging the probes can be calculated.
Claims9
A method for determining the content of particulate material in a fluid flow passing through a pipe, said method comprising:
- positioning in said fluid flow within said pipe, at respective different positions across the internal cross section thereof, a plurality of probes each including radioactive material that is subject to being abraded by said particulate material in said fluid flow and that emits radiation that diminishes as a function of such abrasion;
- positioning a plurality of radiation detectors outwardly of said pipe at locations such that each said detector detects radiation emitted only by a respective said probe;
- detecting by said detectors radiation emitted from respective said probes;
- and
- determining the content of said particulate material in said fluid flow as a function of abrasion of said radioactive material of said probes based on the radiation detected by respective said probes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.