Flow-VizTM –A fully integrated and commercial in-line fluid characterization system for industrial applications

Abstract

The enhanced tube viscometer concept aiming to derive information on the flow behavior of industrial fluids using the UVP+PD methodology, i.e. Ultrasound Velocity Profiling (UVP) with Pressure Difference (PD) is older than 30 years [1]. Despite this, no in-line fluids characterization instrument based on Doppler velocimetry has been made commercially available meeting industrial requirements [2]. In this work we present an embedded in-line fluids characterization system, “Flow-VizTM”, specifically designed for the in-line velocity profile measurements and rheological assessment of opaque, non-Newtonian industrial fluids. The Flow-VizTM, system is the result of the work of several research groups that have systematically improved this concept for a period of more than 14 years to ensure that the system can be used in industry for a quantitative analysis of the rheological properties of real industrial fluids, [2-5]. New improved and extended UVP+PD electronics, based on former work [6-8] have been developed. In industrial processes it is an absolute requirement to measure non-invasively through stainless steel pipes. Despite this, no such transducer technology has been made available as an off-the-shelf product [2,5]. To overcome this limitation, new non-invasive sensor technology has been developed, optimized and validated for SS316L stainless steel process pipes of different diameters and wall thicknesses [2,5]. The instrument has been validated to meet industrial requirements for many different applications and to deliver accurate real-time data, such as instantaneous velocity profiles and rheology of opaque industrial fluids [2-4, 7-8]. The Flow-VizTM system is already installed in industry, e.g. for chocolate and grouting applications.