Dual displacer-gamma ray system for level measurement of fluids-interface in oil separator

• Published in: Radiation physics and chemistry (Oxford, England : 1993) England : 1993), 2021-07, Vol.184, p.109453, Article 109453
• Main Author: Mohamed, Nader M.A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Fluids-interface; Gamma-ray; Level measurement; Oil separator
• ISSN: 0969-806X; 1879-0895
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2021.109453

A gamma-ray system for detecting and measuring the interfaces between different fluids inside oil separators is proposed. Coupling the gamma-ray system with a displacer technique expedites the measurements process as the displacer defines the region for scanning. Monte Carlo calculations were carried out to calculate the sensitivity of the gamma-ray system. The simulation was carried out using Am-241 and Ba-133 gamma-ray sources. At low gamma-ray energy (~35 keV) of Ba-133 source, the system is very sensitive to the fluid composition and density. The concept was tested experimentally using three different fluids: water, engine oil and kerosene which simulate different three phases in an oil separator with a detection system of Ba-133 source and NaI detector. The experiment showed that the system can detect the fluids-interface with high accuracy in short detection time. •A Gamma-ray system for level measurement of fluids-interface in oil separator is proposed.•Coupling the system with a displacer expedites the measurements process.•Monte Carlo calculations were carried out to calculate the sensitivity of the system.•Using low gamma-ray energy (~35 keV) the system is very sensitive.•The concept was tested experimentally using a Ba-133 source and an NaI detector.