Capacitive sensor system for investigation of two-phase flow in pipes

Abstract

A sensor system for the study of a two-phase oil-water flow is proposed in particular for the estimation of the area fraction occupied by each fluid in a given section of the pipe. The system is based on a capacitive technique that takes advantage of the different electrical proprieties of the interested fluids. Capacitance measurements are made between two electrodes mounted on the external surface of a nonconductive section of the pipe. The system was designed and carefully dimensioned, also using electromagnetic simulation, to allow the application of the technique also in presence of conductive tap water used in a hydraulic plant. The system was experimentally tested with different flow patterns (geometrical arrangements of the fluids within the pipe cross section) and fluid fractions. Finally the results obtained in the fluid fraction estimation were compared to the values obtained with reference methods, demonstrating a good agreement. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.