Applications for real-time mass ratio, mass flow and particle size measurement of particle laden flows

A system configured to be arranged in relation to a pipe providing a particle laden flow, comprising:

• a data gathering module configured to respond to the particle laden flow in the pipe, and provide signalling containing information about a parameter related to the particle laden flow, the parameter including either (a) a sound level propagating through the particle laden flow in the pipe, or (b) a static pressure due to an acceleration of the particle laden flow in the pipe;
• and
• a signal processor having one or more modules configured to receive the signalling containing information about the parameter related to the particle laden flow, and to determine a measurement of a particle size and either a mass flow rate, or a particle-to-air mass ratio, or both the mass flow rate and the particle-to-air mass ratio, associated with the particle laden flow based at least partly on a change in the parameter.

A method comprising:

• receiving signalling containing information about a parameter related to a particle laden flow in a pipe, the parameter including either (a) a sound level propagating through the particle laden flow in the pipe, or (b) a static pressure due to an acceleration of the particle laden flow in the pipe;
• and
• determining a measurement of a particle size and either a mass flow rate, or a particle-to-air mass ratio, or both the mass flow rate and the particle-to-air mass ratio, associated with the particle laden flow, based at least partly on a change in the parameter.

Apparatus comprising:

• means for receiving signalling containing information about a parameter related to a particle laden flow in a pipe, the parameter including either (a) a sound level propagating through the particle laden flow in the pipe, or (b) a static pressure due to an acceleration of the particle laden flow in the pipe;
• and
• means for determining a measurement of a particle size and either a mass flow rate, or a particle-to-air mass ratio, or both the mass flow rate and the particle-to-air mass ratio, associated with the particle laden flow, based at least partly on a change in the parameter.