Computer methods for non-invasive measurement and control of two-phase flows: a review study

Abstract

Nowadays, the application of advanced technologies in modern production systems is the main trend of development and technological progress in many industrial sectors. It is due to the still growing trends of energy-saving and production quality enhancement. Wherever in the production process the phase mixture is transported and it is not optimal or not economic, there is a need to develop a system which would be able to prevent any construction disaster, unexpected production line stopping or situation where for reasons of bad flow parameters, the final product is defective. This paper studies various sensors, measurement techniques and computer methods for signal processing and analysis to diagnose and control two-phase flows. Due to the possibility that the invasive measurement disturbs the process and changes it parameters and behavior especially in the location just after the measurement point and simultaneously does not provide any information about these changes it is unreliable for the diagnosis or control. Therefore, the non-invasive techniques commonly used for measurement of flows parameters are described. Depending on the industrial demands many of applications examples for non-invasive two-phase flows measurement and monitoring are given. This description for identifying the flow parameters is divided into features categories of this phenomena as void fraction distribution, velocity profile and flow regime. However, from these methods the high accuracy and short processing time is expected. The continued observation and monitoring of the process abnormalities can provide valuable information about its dynamic state and allow for real-time and automatic monitoring and control. Therefore, the development of advanced process control is one of the most important challenges to keep the flow regime on the given level and for instant and long-term energy saving, quality improvement.