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Homogenization of the Spatial Sensitivity of Electrostatic Sensors for the Flow Measurement of Pneumatically Conveyed Solids in a Square-Shaped Pipe

Zhang, Shuai, Yan, Yong, Qian, Xiangchen, Huang, Rong, Hu, Yonghui (2017) Homogenization of the Spatial Sensitivity of Electrostatic Sensors for the Flow Measurement of Pneumatically Conveyed Solids in a Square-Shaped Pipe. IEEE Sensors Journal, 17 (22). pp. 7516-7525. ISSN 1530-437X. E-ISSN 1558-1748. (doi:10.1109/JSEN.2017.2758442) (KAR id:63575)

Abstract

The spatial sensitivity of an electrostatic sensor is recognized as an important factor that affects the accuracy of solids flow measurement in a pneumatic conveying pipe. However, the distribution of the spatial sensitivity is generally inhomogeneous due to the physical structure of the electrostatic sensor and the inherent electrostatic sensing mechanism. This paper proposes a sensitivity homogenization method based on differential measurement, i.e., using the differential outputs from two electrodes with different axial widths. The validity of the sensitivity homogenization method for a square-shaped electrostatic sensing head, which consists of strip-shaped electrode arrays with different widths, is validated through mathematical analysis. Furthermore, the response of the electrostatic sensing head incorporating the sensitivity homogenization method to roping flow regimes was evaluated on a gravity-fed solids flow test rig. Results from both modeling and experimental tests indicate that the homogeneity of the spatial sensitivity is improved significantly. The mean non-uniformity of the outputs from the sensing head is 11.7% as a result of the homogenization method.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1109/JSEN.2017.2758442
Uncontrolled keywords: electrostatic sensor, spatial sensitivity, sensitivity homogenization, square-shaped pipe, gas–solids two-phase flow.
Subjects: Q Science
T Technology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences > School of Engineering and Digital Arts
Depositing User: Yong Yan
Date Deposited: 26 Sep 2017 11:20 UTC
Last Modified: 09 Dec 2022 01:28 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/63575 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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