Integrated self-calibrating device for simultaneous monitoring of interface position and oil layer thickness

一种新型的基于超声波的界面位置和油层厚度监测装置将通过建立和测试该装置的工作原型来展示。在过去的几年里，我们实验室的测量技术已经得到了发展和进步。它主要基于超声波在介质中的传播，在线应用需要采集时域信号。在我们的实验室中，使用可用的硬件已经证明了这种技术的概念和在线测量能力的实验室规模的应用。该原型将用于研究该装置在不同工业相关操作条件下监测的适用性。将研究在不正常或不正常情况下测量的准确性，以提供额外的信息和适当的警告。在许多过程中，需要对液-液和液-固分离系统中的界面进行连续监测，以防止不期望的相逃逸到下一个处理步骤。对于一个潜在的应用，新设备将有助于满足环境法规的排放沃茨到下水道系统，并避免处罚。新设备将基于适当安装和集成的超声波传感器，以提供所需的功能。这些包括自校准，易于维护和清理，以及检测悬浮颗粒的存在和积聚的能力。该设备将利用超声波硬件和电子小型化的最新发展，为目标市场开发紧凑和低成本的产品。在未来几年内，北美对这种设备的估计需求在30万到40万台之间。已经确定了一家有意将该产品商业化的加拿大公司，预计该公司将从需求中受益，并利用其在市场上的地位。

A novel ultrasonic based device for monitoring of interface position and oil layer thickness will be demonstrated by building and testing a working prototype of the device. The measurement technique has been developed and advanced in our laboratory over the last few years. It is mainly based on ultrasonic wave propagating through the media and requires acquisition of the time domain signal for online applications. The proof of concept and online measurement capability of this technique for bench scale applications have been demonstrated using available hardware in our laboratory. The prototype will be used to study applicability of the unit for monitoring under different operating conditions of industrial relevance. The accuracy of measurements under upset or abnormal conditions will be studied to provide additional information and appropriate warning. Continuous monitoring of the interface in liquid-liquid and liquid-solid separation systems is required to prevent escape of undesirable phase to next processing step in a number of processes. For one potential application, the new device will help meet environmental regulations for discharge waters into sewer system and avoid penalties. The new device will be based on ultrasonic sensors suitably mounted and integrated to provide desirable features. These include self calibration, ease of maintenance and clean up and ability to detect presence and build up of suspended particles. The device will take advantage of recent developments in ultrasonic hardware and electronics miniaturization to develop a compact and low cost product for the targeted market. The estimated demand for such a device in North America is in the range of 300 to 400 thousand units over the next few years. A Canadian company interested in commercializing the product has been identified and is expected to benefit from the demand and capitalize on its position in the marketplace.