Ultrasound Doppler measurements inside a diaphragm valve using novel transducer technologies

In this project, velocity profiles were measured in a diaphragm valve using an ultrasonic velocity profiling (UVP) technique. A non-Newtonian CMC model fluid was tested in this highly complex geometry and velocity profiles were measured at four different positions at the centre (contraction) of a sp...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Measurement science & technology 2014-10, Vol.25 (10), p.105302-11
Main Authors: Kotzé, Reinhardt, Wiklund, Johan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Beams (radiation)
complex geometries
contraction-expansion
delay line
Delay lines
diaphragm valve
Diaphragms
Flow rate
Flowmeters
Food Engineering
Livsmedelsteknik
Mathematical models
non-Newtonian
transducer
Transducers
ultrasonic velocity profiling
Valves
velocity profiles
Walls
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:In this project, velocity profiles were measured in a diaphragm valve using an ultrasonic velocity profiling (UVP) technique. A non-Newtonian CMC model fluid was tested in this highly complex geometry and velocity profiles were measured at four different positions at the centre (contraction) of a specially manufactured 50% open diaphragm valve. The coordinates of the complex geometry and velocity magnitudes were analysed and compared to the bulk flow rate measured using an electromagnetic flow meter. Two different ultrasonic transducers (standard and delay line) were used and results were compared in order to assess velocity data close to wall interfaces as well as the accuracy and magnitude of measured velocities. The difference between calculated and measured flow rates was 32% when using the standard ultrasonic transducers. The error difference decreased to 18% when delay line transducers were introduced to the measurements. The velocity data obtained in the diaphragm valve showed a significant improvement close to the wall interfaces when using the delay line transducers. The main limitation when using delay line transducers is that beam refraction can significantly complicate measurements in a highly complex geometry such as a diaphragm valve. A new delay line transducer with no beam refraction could provide a solution. The introduction of delay line transducers showed that UVP can be used as a powerful tool for detailed flow behaviour measurements in complex geometries.
ISSN:0957-0233
1361-6501
1361-6501
DOI:10.1088/0957-0233/25/10/105302