Next Generation Visualisation & Metering Technology for Multi-phase Flows

该研究计划的主要目的是开发下一代多相流仪器，以无创测量相流速率，并快速成像复杂，非定常两相或三相流的流场分布。拟开展的研究涉及流体力学建模、传感器材料选择和流量计量、过程层析成像和多变量数据融合等多个领域。新仪器将基于三维矢量电阻抗断层成像（EIT）和电磁速度剖面仪（EVP）的新概念。这些将与辅助压差测量一起用于流量密度和总流量。我们的目的是能够测量体积流量，局部轴向速度和分散相和连续相的体积分数的图像时间相关分布，可视化流动模式，并提供两相和三相流中体积流量的替代测量。该项目利用了提案人的研究团队在EIT技术方面取得的几项最新进展。总之，这些有可能使先进流量计的发展，旨在解决当前多相流量计的一些限制，导致许多工业部门，如石油，石化，食品，核和矿物加工的生产力管理的改进。在本研究范围内，只针对具有导电连续液相的流动。我们将利用先进的磁共振成像（MRI）协议进行独立的非侵入性验证相体积分数和速度分布测量。该项目旨在为下一代先进多相流测量和快速可视化技术的制造铺平道路。

The principal aim of the research proposal is to develop a next generation multi-phase flow instrument to non-invasively measure the phase flow rates, and rapidly image the flow-field distributions, of complex, unsteady two- or three-phase flows. The proposed research is multi-disciplinary covering aspects of fluid mechanics modelling, sensor material selection and flow metering, process tomography and multi-variable data fusion. The new instrument will be based on the novel concepts of 3D vector Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) and the Electromagnetic Velocity Profiler (EVP). These will be used in conjunction with auxiliary differential-pressure measurements for flow density and total flow rate. It is our intention to be able to measure the volumetric flow rate, image time-dependent distributions of the local axial velocity and volume fraction of the dispersed and continuous phases, visualise flow patterns and provide an alternative measurement of volumetric flow rates in two and three phase flows. The project draws upon several recent advances in EIT technology made by the proposers' research teams. Together these potentially enable the development of an advanced flow meter intended to address some limitations of current multiphase flow meters, leading to improvements of the management of productivity in many industrial sectors such as petroleum, petrochemical, food, nuclear and mineral processing. Within the scope of this research, only flows with a conductive continuous liquid phase will be targeted. We will make use of advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) protocols for independent non-invasive validation of both the phase volume fraction and velocity distribution measurements. It is intended that the project will pave the way for the manufacturing of a next generation of advanced multi-phase flow measurement and rapid visualisation technologies.