Steam quality and flow rate measurement system
OwnerDan Hutchinsoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A steam quality and flow rate measurement system is described. Embodiments of the system include a steam quality measuring device having a converging/diverging nozzle and ceramic spacer. The steam quality measuring device can be adapted to measure an impedance of a two-phase steam to determine steam quality. The converging/diverging nozzle can be implemented to mix the two-phase flow and reduce pressure loss. The ceramic spacer can be positioned such that steam is in a cross flow when interfacing with the ceramic spacer inside the steam quality measuring device. By placing the spacer in such a position, an electrically conductive liquid phase can be prevented from coating a surface of the ceramic spacer.
Claims20
A steam quality measuring device, the device comprising:
- an inlet adapted to receive a two-phase flow;
- a removable nozzle configured to mix the two-phase flow;
- a capacitance measuring sensor, the sensor including an electrically insulating spacer;
- and
- an outlet located approximate the electrically insulating spacer, the outlet being orthogonally oriented to the electrically insulating spacer.
A two-phase flow quality measurement system, the system comprising:
- a two-phase flow generator;
- a two-phase flow quality measuring device coupled to the two-phase flow generator, wherein the device comprises:
- an inlet adapted to receive the two-phase flow;
- a removable nozzle configured to mix the two-phase flow;
- a capacitance measuring sensor, the sensor including an electrically insulating spacer;
- and
- an outlet located approximate the electrically insulating spacer, the outlet being orthogonally oriented to the electrically insulating spacer;
- one or more injectors coupled to the outlet of the two-phase flow quality measuring device.
A method for fitting a nozzle to a steam quality measuring device, the method comprising the steps of:
- defining a range of steam flow conditions;
- calculating a throat diameter based on the range of steam flow conditions;
- selecting a nozzle having a throat diameter approximate the calculated throat diameter;
- determining flow rate based on the selected nozzle;
- installing the selected nozzle in the steam quality measuring device if the determined flow rate is within a defined threshold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.