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Measurement of Charge Distributions in a Bubbling Fluidized Bed Using Wire-Mesh Electrostatic Sensors

Zhang, Wenbiao, Yan, Yong, Qian, Xiangchen, Guan, Yanjun, Zhang, Kai (2017) Measurement of Charge Distributions in a Bubbling Fluidized Bed Using Wire-Mesh Electrostatic Sensors. IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 66 (3). pp. 522-534. ISSN 0018-9456. (doi:10.1109/TIM.2016.2639238) (KAR id:59573)

Abstract

In order to maintain safe and efficient operation of a fluidized bed, electrostatic charges in the bed should be monitored continuously. Electrostatic sensors with wire-mesh electrodes are introduced in this paper to measure the charge distribution in the cross section of the fluidized bed. A Finite Element Model is built to investigate the sensing characteristics of the wire-mesh sensors. In comparison with conventional electrostatic sensors, wire-mesh sensors have higher and more uniform sensitivity distribution. Based on the induced charges on the electrodes and the sensitivity distributions of the sensors, the charge distribution in the cross section of the fluidized bed is reconstructed. However, it is difficult to directly measure the induced charges on the electrodes. A charge calibration process is conducted to establish the relationship between the induced charge on the electrode and the electrostatic signal. Experimental studies of charge distribution measurement were conducted on a lab-scale bubbling fluidized bed. The electrostatic signals from the wire-mesh sensors in the dense phase and splash regions of the bed for different fluidization air flow rates were obtained. Based on the results obtained from the charge calibration process, the estimated induced charges on the electrodes are calculated from the Root Mean Square values of the electrostatic signals. The characteristics of the induced charges on the electrodes and the charge distribution in the cross section under different flow conditions are investigated, which proves that wire-mesh electrostatic sensors are able to measure the charge distribution in the bubbling fluidized bed.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1109/TIM.2016.2639238
Uncontrolled keywords: wire-mesh electrostatic sensors; bubbling fluidized bed; charge distribution measurement; induced charge; Finite Element Modeling
Subjects: T Technology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences > School of Engineering and Digital Arts
Depositing User: Tina Thompson
Date Deposited: 09 Dec 2016 11:28 UTC
Last Modified: 09 Dec 2022 07:02 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/59573 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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