Imaging of two-dimensional unsaturated moisture flows in uncracked and cracked cement-based materials using electrical capacitance tomography

The development of visualizing tools to monitor unsaturated moisture flow in cement-based materials is of great importance, as most degradation processes in cement-based materials are connected to and take place in the presence moisture. This paper investigates the ability of electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) to image two-dimensional (2D) unsaturated moisture flow in cement-based materials. In ECT, the electrical permittivity distribution within an object is reconstructed based on measured capacitances between electrodes attached on the object’s surface. In a series of experiments, mortar specimens with and without discrete cracks were imaged with ECT during a 2D moisture ingress. The results show that ECT is able to monitor the evolution of the moisture flow, and to approximate the shape and position of the moisture front. These findings indicate that ECT is a viable method for monitoring and visualizing 2D unsaturated moisture flow in cement-based materials in the presence and absence of discrete cracks.     

Capacitance Sensors for Void-Fraction Measurements and Flow-Pattern Identification in Air–Oil Two-Phase Flow

The design methodology of capacitance sensors for void-fraction measurement in adiabatic two-phase flow systems is presented in this paper. The effect of design parameters on the capacitance output has been theoretically and experimentally investigated for two types of sensor configurations: concave and ring types. Experiments were performed using air–oil two-phase flow to determine the signal-to-noise ratio, sensitivity, and time response of the capacitance sensors. The results show that the ring-type sensors are more sensitive to the void-fraction signal than the concave type for the same spatial resolution. The predictions from the theoretical model for the ring-type sensors are in better agreement with the experimental results than for the concave type. The mean value, time trace, power spectral density (PSD), and the probability density function (PDF) of the void-fraction signal from the capacitance sensors are used to objectively identify the flow pattern. The method was validated using high-speed video images of the flow and comparing the results to those from the signal analysis.     

基于电容层析成像系统测量信号稀疏性的两相流流型辨识

提出了基于电容层析成像(ECT)测量电容信号稀疏性的两相流流型辨识算法,该算法首先使用所有流型对应的归一化测量电容值信号构建一个过完备字典,并将待辨识样本通过该过完备字典进行稀疏表示,使其具有稀疏性并满足稀疏重构的基本要求,然后以压缩感知的正交匹配追踪(OMP)算法求取各标准样本对应于完备样本集的稀疏解,最后根据待辨识样本与标准样本稀疏解之间的线性相关程度进行流型辨识。使用该方法对5种典型的两相流流型识别进行了仿真及实验研究,结果表明:该方法的流型正确识别率均高于98%。     

基于MO-PLP-ELM及电容层析成像的两相流流型辨识

提出一种基于多目标优化并行感知器的极限学习机(MO-PLP-ELM)及电容层析成像(ECT)技术的两相流流型辨识算法.首先,为保证样本具有代表性,采用随机思想生成7类流型的训练及测试样本集;其次,对样本模型的电容数据归一化处理;最后,采用MO-PLP-ELM算法进行流型辨识,并与常用的BP神经网络、支持向量机、极限学习...     

Attributes of direct current aperiodic and alternating current harmonic components derived from large amplitude fourier transformed voltammetry under microfluidic control in a channel electrode

The flow rate dependencies of the aperiodic direct current (dc) and fundamental to eighth alternating current (ac) harmonic components derived from large-amplitude Fourier transformed ac (FT-ac) voltammetry have been evaluated in a microfluidic flow cell containing a 25 μm gold microband electrode. For the oxidation of ferrocenemethanol ([FcMeOH]/[FcMeOH](+) process) in aqueous 0.1 M KNO(3) electrolyte, standard "Levich-like" dc behavior is observed for the aperiodic dc component, which enables the diffusion coefficient for FcMeOH to be obtained. In experimental studies, the first and second ac harmonic components contain contributions from the double layer capacitance current, thereby allowing details of the non-Faradaic current to be established. In contrast, the higher order harmonics and dc aperiodic component are essentially devoid of double layer capacitance contributions allowing the faradaic current dependence on flow rate to be studied. Significantly, flow rate independent data conforming to linear diffusion controlled theory are found in the sixth and higher ac harmonics at a frequency of 15 Hz and for all ac harmonics at a frequency of ≥ 90 Hz. Analysis of FT-ac voltammograms by theory based on stationary microband or planar electrode configurations confirms that stationary microband and planar electrode configurations and experimental data all converge for the higher order harmonics and establishes that the electrode kinetics are very fast (≥1 cms(-1)). The ability to locate, from a single experiment, a dc Faradaic component displaying Levich behavior, fundamental and second harmonics that contain details of the double layer capacitance, and Faradaic ac higher order harmonic currents that are devoid of capacitance, independent of the volume flow rate and also conform closely to mass transport by planar diffusion, provides enhanced flexibility in mass transport and electrode kinetic analysis and in understanding the performance of hydrodynamic electrochemical cells and reactors.     

Cross-sectional monitoring of resin impregnation using an area-sensor array in an RTM process

It is difficult to visualize the flow in the cross-section direction, and most conventional methods for monitoring resin flow are limited to the in-plane direction. This study investigates the monitoring of the cross-section of resin impregnation using an area-sensor array during a resin transfer molding (RTM) process. The area-sensor array is mounted on a thin polyimide film that is integrated with the inter-digital electrode array and associated wiring, and forms the bottom layer of the stacked composite laminates. Each area-sensor is square-shaped and measures the capacitance and electrical resistance of the sensor region. First, we constructed the equivalent electrical circuit model of in-plane and out-of-plane impregnation. Using this model, we proposed a method to identify the flow direction and the ratio of the impregnation thickness by measuring the electrical capacitance and resistance. The validity of the model was confirmed by comparison with the experimental results. To demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method, the area-sensor array was applied to monitoring the resin injection through-thickness to the glass fabric laminates. As a result, the cross-section of the impregnated area could be estimated and the estimated area provided a good match to the actual impregnated area.     

经验模态分解和空间滤波在两相流速度测量中的应用

在利用空间滤波和电容传感器测量两相流速度时,需要准确测量电容传感器输出信号的带宽.针对此问题提出一种利用经验模态分解算法来测量传感器带宽的方法.文章首先介绍电容传感器的空间滤波效应和经验模态分解的基本原理,并给出固体速度和电容传感器输出信号带宽之间的关系.然后将经验模态分解和平滑滤波器结合对测量信号进行平滑处理,测量处...     

电容成像技术及其应用

过程成像技术是近十多年来发展起来的一种新型过程检测技术，可以广泛应用于石油、化工、电力及冶金等行业中的两相流测量。本文结合清华大学自动化系过程成像小组研制的电容成像系统，介绍了电容成像技术的发展和现状，包括电容成像基本原理、微电容测量电路和图像重建算法等。论文给出了现有系统在小型流化床模拟装置上进行测量和连续图像重建的实验结果，并进行了分析。此外，论义对电容成像技术今后的发展作出了展望。     

Depth carrier profiling in silicon carbide

The measurement of majority carrier concentration profiles in silicon carbide is critically discussed considering the most promising methods. Three different techniques are reviewed in detail: (1) capacitance–voltage measurements, (2) scanning capacitance microscopy and (3) spreading resistance profiling. The potentialities and the limitations of these methods are described and compared. The investigated samples include p- and n-type epitaxial layers with a doping concentration in the range 10¹⁶–10¹⁹ cm⁻³ and ion implanted samples at several doses. The applications of spreading resistance profiling and scanning capacitance microscopy in p- and n-type implanted samples are shown both for uniformly doped samples and single implantation profile. The carrier profiles measured by scanning capacitance microscopy can be quantified by calculations of a complete set of capacitance–voltage curves. Difficulties are presented when quantitative carrier concentration profiles should be calculated by the spreading resistance measurements.     

Application of electrical capacitance tomography in particulate process measurement – A review

Particulate process measurement presents challenges because it often involves multiphase flow. Due to its advantages over other tomography modalities, electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) is widely applied in monitoring and measuring particulate processes. This paper presents a review on the application of ECT in particulate process measurement, including the monitoring of flow regime and solids distribution, solids flow velocity measurement, and fluidized bed dryers. The electrostatic phenomenon and the effect of electrostatics on the performance of ECT systems are also addressed. Finally, the challenges to ECT for particulate process measurement are given.     

Dual imaging modality of granular flow based on ECT sensors

In this study, a previously developed dual modality imaging system is applied to image the flow of granular matter with different electrical properties in cylindrical vessels. The imaging system is based on both capacitance and power measurements acquired by an electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) sensor located around the vessel. The measurement data are then used to reconstruct cross-sectional images of both permittivity and conductivity distributions. A neural network multi-criterion optimization reconstruction technique (NN-MOIRT) is used for the inverse (reconstruction) problem. The contribution of this technology to the field of granular matters is explored through review of research articles that can be a direct application of this development. We discuss the capabilities of this dual-modality acquisition system using synthetic data for granular matter with different electrical properties.     

Capacitance-based liquid holdup measurement of cryogenic two-phase flow in a nearly-horizontal tube

Liquid holdup measurement of cryogenic fluids is an area of considerable significance because of its inevitable occurrence in LNG transportation, rocket propellant delivery and superconducting equipment cooling, etc. To measure the liquid holdup of cryogenic two-phase flow, a capacitance sensor was carefully designed, which consists of a pair of optimized concave-electrode form with the electric circuit for the small capacitance detection. Four flow patterns were realized to evaluate the performance of the sensor in visualization experiments with liquid nitrogen and vaporous nitrogen. An image method was employed to calibrate the capacitance sensor, which led to a mathematical relationship between the capacitance and the liquid holdup. The results indicated that the obtained correlation between liquid holdup and capacitance satisfactorily coincided with the measured data.     

Capacitance sensors for measurement of phase volume fraction intwo-phase pipelines

The effect of phase distribution (flow pattern) is considered for determining the volume fraction in two-phase pipelines. Experiments were performed with a variety of capacitance sensor designs. It was found that for a well-agitated mixture, two flow patterns occur for different compositions of the mixture, resulting in a discontinuous calibration curve. Sensitivity loss was found when the continuous phase was electrically conducting. This results in operational difficulties in applications to oil wells. It is concluded that capacitive sensors are practical only when the continuous phase is nonconductive or as a low electrical conductivity     

Integrated measurement of the wave characteristics of heated film of liquid by the capacitance and fluorescence methods

Measuring the wave characteristics of a film of liquid by different methods enables one to improve the reliability of data and obtain new information about the process being studied. Along with the data obtained using the capacitance method already employed for the investigation of the field and dynamics of thickness of a nonisothermal film of liquid, results of measurement by the fluorescence method are given in this paper. The quantitative characteristics of nonisothermal film flow, obtained for the first time using the fluorescence method, are compared with the data obtained using an eight-channel capacitive thickness gage. The capabilities of each method are analyzed from the standpoint of measuring the characteristics of nonisothermal film of liquid in the heater region. It is experimentally demonstrated that the data obtained by the capacitance and fluorescence methods agree well with each other. This enables one to assume that both methods of measurement produce results which adequately accurately describe the real wave pattern of flow of nonisothermal film of liquid. The error of measurement of the thickness of nonisothermal film of liquid by the fluorescence and capacitance methods is at least 3%. The spatial resolution of the capacitance method is 0.5–1 mm, and that of the fluorescence method—0.1 mm.     

基于梯度投影稀疏重建算法的电容层析成像图像重建

为解决两相流中存在中心物体、物体比较小或存在多个物体且相距较近时电容层析成像(ECT)重建图像精度较差的问题,基于稀疏分布的流型其介电常数分布满足稀疏性的先验条件,采用梯度投影稀疏重建(GPSR-BB)算法进行ECT图像重建。仿真及实验测试结果表明:GPSR-BB算法对于流体中小目标以及复杂流型的图像重建质量较好,重建图像的形状保真度高。     

Multimodality tomography for multiphase hydrocarbon flow measurements

Multimodality sensing is used for monitoring of multiphase hydrocarbon flow where there is a need to measure the quantity of oil, water and gas in a cross section of a pipe originating from an oil well. Information on the flow regime, i.e., the physical distribution of the hydrocarbon production constituents in the pipe cross section, is demanded. Expedient information concerning the productivity of the well, i.e., the quantity of oil, water and gas produced, the transport of multiphase flow and the upstream separation process can be provided by tomographic information. A dual modality tomograph (DMT), consisting of capacitance and gamma-ray sensors, has been developed at the University of Bergen. Characterization of the DMT has demonstrated feasibility in relation to the hydrocarbon flow application, but also shortcomings mainly relating to the performance of the capacitance sensor in water continuous phase, and the salinity dependence of the gamma-ray measurements. Research work has been conducted to further develop the DMT for hydrocarbon multiphase flow. The new developments include dual modality densitometry (DMD), where both mixture density and salinity are measured, and a water-cut independent high-frequency magnetic field sensor.     

基于粒子群优化极限学习机及电容层析成像的两相流流型及其参数预测

提出了一种基于粒子群优化极限学习机及电容层析成像的两相流流型辨识及其参数预测方法。首先,通过粒子群优化极限学习机的连接权值,并使用粒子群优化极限学习机算法对4种典型的油-气两相流流型进行辨识;其次,使用粒子群优化极限学习机算法对流型的参数进行预测;最后进行了仿真实验,结果表明,与极限学习机算法相比,粒子群优化极限学习机算法所需隐层节点数更少,流型辨识率更高,其正确辨识率达100%,对4种流型参数预测的最大相对误差为5.24%。     

Development of vacuum metrology in National Institute of Metrology

Overview of the vacuum metrology development at the National Institute of Metrology, China is presented, including the different vacuum standards established years ago, the recently developed static expansion system and its characterization and the new compensated micro-manometer. Recent research of the performance of capacitance diaphragm gauges (CDGs) in Knudsen flow region, as well as the ongoing project on the constant pressure flow meter, micro-conductance measurement are also outlined.     

Online Voidage Measurement of Two-Phase Flow Based on the Ant System Algorithm

Based on the 12-electrode electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) system and the ant system algorithm (ASA), a new method was proposed for online voidage measurement of oil-gas two-phase flow. In practical voidage measurement, based on the 66 measurement capacitances obtained from the ECT system, the real-time flow pattern of oil-gas two-phase flow was first identified. Then, according to the flow pattern identification result, an appropriate measurement model was selected, and the measurement voidage value was calculated. The measurement models related to the flow pattern were developed in advance using the ASA. Static and dynamic experimental results show that the proposed voidage measurement method is effective. Moreover, the real-time performance and measurement accuracy are satisfactory.     

基于鲁棒正则化极限学习机的电容层析成像图像重建

电容层析成像图像重建是一个非线性及病态性逆问题。基于此,提出了基于迭代重加权最小二乘法的鲁棒正则化极限学习机(RELM-IRLS)算法的电容层析成像图像重建方法,以油/气两相流为研究对象,通过有限元仿真构建随机分布流型,对RELM-IRLS算法完成训练,并与Landweber迭代算法及极限学习机算法进行对比,RELM-IRLS算法的测试集平均误差相比极限学习机算法减小4.6%。仿真及静态实验结果均表明, RELM-IRLS算法所得重建图像质量得到明显提升,且算法具有良好的泛化性能。