Authors : A. Olatunbosun and O.E. Idowu
Abstract: Precise and accurate measurement of liquid flow rate repeatedly has being a challenging and interesting area of research. Up till now, there is no singular flow metering device that could provide on-line mass flow rate of each component of industrial multi-component fluids that are conveyed in a confined environment. Capacitance sensor is one of the candidate devices under development for process tomography. However, its inherent dead zone in the central region of the plates somehow affects its precision and accuracy. This study reports on experimental investigations carried out on specific configurations of capacitance sensor using ≥3 electrode plates with the intention of determining a more optimal design configuration with improved accuracy and precision, bearing in mind the limitations of existing configurations. At this stage of the study, the configurations considered were mounted inside the pipe but with the full understanding of the inherent disadvantages of such arrangement (i.e., flow pattern distortion, fouling of the electrode surfaces by conveyed fluids, etc.). However, a marked improvement in the intensity of the developed electrostatic field was observed and the apparent dead zone in existing devices was removed by the inclusion of the third plate thus, improving the accuracy and precision of the device. For the investigation clean water was used.
A. Olatunbosun and O.E. Idowu, 2012. Flow Measurement Using Capacitance Technique. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 7: 1-7.