Particle image velocimetry flowmeter for natural gas applications

Ultrasonic flowmeters are currently used in the measurement of large natural gas flow. However, their high sensitivity to noise signals can cause measurement errors and direct economic losses. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurement technology has several advantages, including convenient installation and maintenance, and strong anti-interference ability, thereby presenting an innovative idea for its application in the field of flow measurement. In this paper, a cyclic integration method is proposed for the application of PIV technology in flow measurement of natural gas. The results show that PIV flowmeter and ultrasonic flowmeter are basically consistent, and the maximum deviation is about 2%. confirming the feasibility of the PIV flowmeter. Therefore, this study provides a theoretical and technical reference for the development of a PIV flowmeter for natural gas.     

基于IIR小波滤波器的涡街流量计数字信号处理系统

涡街流量计被广泛应用于过程工业,但是,由于易受由管道振动和流场扰动等因素干扰,现场测量精度无法保证,测量小流量困难。本文将小波滤波器组应用于涡街流量计信号处理中,研究基于小波滤波的涡街信号处理方法,分析了小波滤波器的幅频特性对信号分析的影响,构造了幅频特性好的IIR型小波滤波器组。本文研制了基于ADSP2181的涡街流量计数字信号处理系统,并进行了气体流量和水流量标定实验,实验结果表明,基于小波滤波的涡街流量计数字信号处理系统有良好的适配性能,性能指标优于常规的涡街流量计处理系统。     

超声波气体流量计检测精度影响因素分析

在天然气的管道运输过程中,提高气体流量测量的精度是提高运输效率、避免安全事故发生的关键技术。利用流体力学仿真（CFD）方法建立组合双弯管及变径管道模型,定量计算修正系数,对双声道超声波流量计结构和安装位置对于管道内气体速度场的影响进行研究。通过仿真得出超声波流量计的最优声道位置,并结合实验验证了仿真结果的可信性。模拟结果表明,双弯管和变径管与超声波流量计的安装位置至少为10D才能保证流体充分流动;通过修正系数随雷诺数的变化情况得出双声道超声波流量计的最优声道位置为距管道截面中心0.25D处。研究结论对于不同性质气体的流量检测同样适用,为工业中气体运输检测精度的提高以及超声波流量计的优化提供了依据。     

基于DSP的新型超声多普勒流量计设计与实现

文中针对当前工业管道用超声多普勒流量计的性能普遍不高的现状,改进了测量工业管道流量方法,并且采用高速DSP器件TMS320VC5410实现一种新型超声多普勒流量测量系统.实现的新型超声多普勒管道流量测量系统可以动态显示流速和方向、瞬时流量、累积流量、信号强度等测量结果,较高的流速测量动态响应能力以及稳定性,具有较好的推广和应用前景.     

温压补偿型超声气体质量流量计

对超声时差法进行算法改进后，结合气体密度公式推导出超声质量流量方程，据此设计出温压补偿型超声气体质量流量计，给出了流量计核心系统及温压补偿部分的硬件设计。将只用于流体体积流量测量的超声流量计推广到气体质量流量测量领域，使超声流量计趋向理想化。经实验证明此流量计在测量常压空气时精度可达1．42％。     

A mini fluidic oscillating flowmeter

This paper presents a mini fluidic oscillating flowmeter. This device is composed of three microfluidic laminar bistable amplifiers. The microfluidic amplifiers are connected in such a way that the measured flow through the mini fluidic oscillating flowmeter generates a periodical pressure signal with a high value of SNR (signal to noise ratio). The frequency of the pressure signal is proportional to the measured flow. The mini fluidic oscillating flowmeter works with gas or liquid. To calibrate the mini fluidic oscillating flowmeter, for gas flows, a volumetric flowmeter was used. To calibrate it for liquid flows, an experimental test bench was realized. The gas operating range of the mini fluidic oscillating flowmeter is up to Re=1500 starting from Re=200; the liquid operating range is up to Re=5700 starting from Re=170. The maximum error of the measurement is <2% of the full scale value, the reading error is <3% for gas flows and <3.8% for liquid flows.     

Note: anti-strong-disturbance signal processing method of vortex flowmeter with two sensors

Some digital signal processing methods have been used to deal with the output signal of vortex flowmeter for extracting the flow rate frequency from the noisy output of vortex flow rate sensor and achieving the measurement of small flow rate. In applications, however, the power of noise is larger than that of flow rate sometimes. These strong disturbances are caused by pipe vibration mostly. Under this condition the previous digital signal processing methods will be unavailable. Therefore, an anti-strong-disturbance solution is studied for the vortex flowmeter with two sensors in this Note. In this solution, two piezoelectric sensors are installed in the vortex probe. One is called the flow rate sensor for measuring both the flow rate and vibration noise, and the other is called the vibration sensor for detecting the vibration noise and sensing the flow rate signal weakly at the same time. An anti-strong-disturbance signal processing method combining the frequency-domain substation algorithm with the frequency-variance calculation algorithm is proposed to identify the flow rate frequency. When the peak number of amplitude spectrum of the flow rate sensor is different from that of the vibration sensor, the frequency-domain subtraction algorithm will be adopted; when the peak number of amplitude spectrum of the flow rate sensor is the same as that of the vibration sensor, the frequency-variance calculation algorithm will be employed. The whole algorithm is implemented in real time by an ultralow power micro control unit (MCU) to meet requirements of process instrumentation. The experimental results show that this method can obtain the flow rate frequency correctly even if the power of the pipe vibration noise is larger than that of the vortex flow rate signal.     

超声波传输时间精密测量方法及应用研究

根据超声波回波信号是一个变幅周期性信号这一特点,提出一种用数字细分来精密测量超声波传输时间的方法,阐明了超声波换能器驱动电路原理及利用FPGA电路和高分辨率A/D电路通过高频采样来实现这一方法的原理,并采用该方法和电路设计了超声波流量计。指出超声波传输时间测量的分辨率取决于超声波信号的频率和A/D电路的分辨率,为保证测量精度,应尽可能采用较高的采样频率。超声波传输时间的测量综合了全部回波信号采样数据,有很好的可靠性和很强的抗干扰能力。     

基于能量变化率的气体超声波流量计信号处理方法

针对气体超声流量计信号处理中不易找到稳定的测量特征点的问题,提出了一种基于能量变化率的过零检测信号处理方法,以及最优阈值参数的选取方法。基于能量变化率的过零检测信号处理方法首先求取能量变化率曲线上的关键阈值点,然后回溯到原始波形信号上,找到对应的过零点,并以此作为信号的稳定特征点,进而求得信号的传播时间及气体流量。在以FPGA和DSP为核心的气体超声流量计信号处理系统上实时实现了算法,并进行标定实验,实验结果验证了方法的有效性。     

上游弯管对超声波流量计精度影响及整流设计

针对上游弯管流场变化对超声波流量计测量精度的影响,利用CFD对测量管道内部流场进行数值仿真模拟,并设计整流器改善由弯管导致的明显的二次流和涡流等情况,以减小超声波流量计测量误差。研究对象为基于时差法的DN15超声波液体流量计,流量范围在0.1～1.5 m~3/h内,上游弯管与流量计之间测试直管段距离为2～20D。对比超声波流量计加装整流器前后测量误差,通过实验结果验证,未整流时流量计随着直管段越短测量误差越大,安装的整流器可以改善管道内流场的速度分布,将直管段长度缩短为10D,提升超声波流量计测量误差满足在±1.5%以内,验证了数值模拟的正确性,对工程实际应用具有一定指导意义。     

A new approach to detection of vortices using ultrasound

The measurement principle of vortex flowmeter is based on von Karman vortex shedding phenomenon. Frequency of vortices, behind the bluff body, is proportional to the mean flow velocity. There are different ways of detection of vortices, and different sensors are used (presser sensors, capacitive sensors, thermo-resistance sensors, ultrasonic sensors, etc.). Proposed method to vortex identification, presented in this paper is based on simultaneous detection of pair of vortices with opposite circulation, by means of two pairs of ultrasonic transducers. A beam of ultrasound, from ultrasonic transmitter to ultrasonic receiver is transmitted perpendicularly to the vortex street. The received ultrasonic signal is amplitude and phase modulated. Frequency of demodulated signal is equal to the frequency of vortices. This technique allows a number of advantages comparing to conventional solutions: reduction, or elimination of noises caused by installation vibration and disturbances in the flow, higher sensor sensitivity, which as a result leads to a possibility of a reduction of the bluff body size, i.e. reduction of the pressure drop on the flow meter, increase of the measurement range in the low flow region, the possibility of redundant operation of the flow meter, reduced measurement uncertainty, instrument technology improvements, improved reliability of the instrument, assured improved statement of complete uncertainty contributions, improved metrology of the equipment as such and calibration procedures that contribute to measuring capabilities etc. For experimental testing a prototype vortex flowmeter of a nominal inner diameter (ID) 50 mm is developed. A cylindrical bluff body for vortex shedding is used. Ultrasonic transducers based on piezo-crystal PZT-5A, inserted in the wall of the vortex meter casing are utilized. The testing of prototype ultrasonic vortex flowmeter is realized on the calibration station on the water. The results at the testing point to the possibility of measuring flow of liquid fluids at velocities less than 0.5 m/s, with an uncertainty better than ±1%.     

基于Laguerre滤波的超声波流量计降噪方法研究

针对气体超声波流量计利用过零检测定位波形脉冲时的干扰因素,以及计算系统对数据处理实时性的要求,对基于Laguerre滤波的递归最小二乘（RLS）降噪算法进行了研究,实现了在处理速度与稳定性上的折中。为信号后处理提供了理想的波形,避免了波形失真导致脉冲漏检、零位判断错误等误差因素的产生,给出了实时性强、波形定位准确、系统稳定性和抗干扰性能良好的气体超声流量计信号处理算法。研究结果表明,基于此算法的气体超声波流量计经检验具备2级精度。     

Estimation of ultrasonic signal onset for flow measurement

Accurate determination of time-of-flight (TOF) is crucially important for precise ultrasonic flow measurement. Detection of ultrasonic signal onset (USO) is considered as an effective approach to determine the actual value of TOF. The USO can be estimated by signal fitting methods. However, the estimation accuracy and reliability of existing methods still need to be improved. This paper proposes a signal fitting method based on artificial fish swarm algorithm and particle swarm optimization combined algorithm (AFSA-PSO). In the method, AFSA is introduced to search all possible solution spaces firstly, considering the multi-modal characteristic of the objective function in signal fitting which is easily being amplified by the strong noise. Then, a feasible solution extraction strategy is proposed to extract the local optimal solution in every space. Finally, PSO is employed to further process the local solutions to obtain the accurate USO. The method is validated by both numerical and experiment tests, using simulated signals with different strength noise and measured signal in actual ultrasonic flowmeter respectively. Comparisons with the methods proposed by other researchers are also given in the paper. The proposed AFSA-PSO is found to be more accurate, more robust, having better anti-noise ability and less time-consuming under a given accuracy requirement.     

基于神经网络的多声道超声气体流量计研究

在以弦向声道布置的多声道超声气体流量计原理的基础上,采用Gauss-Legendre数值积分和线性神经网络相结合的方法完成自适应调整权系数的多声道超声气体流量计建模。在建模过程中,根据Legendre正交多项式的节点值,计算多声道超声换能器的位置分布值,再按照Widrow-Hoff学习规则,由leanrwh函数求解出各声道的层流流速和权系数值表,最后根据实时测量出的层流流速,通过插值算法自适应匹配一组最佳的权系数值,计算出流速和流量值。并以4声道交叉布置方式的超声气体流量计为例,进行测量误差仿真实验和物理实验,误差均能满足实际测量要求。     

液固两相介质多频超声粒径分布测量

液固两相流动广泛存在于工业过程中,其粒径分布信息在线测量对生产优化与控制十分重要。超声法作为无扰动式多相流动参数测量方法,其衰减特性与固相颗粒粒径、体积分数等密切相关,可用于实现粒径分布在线测量。本文搭建液固两相介质超声衰减实验装置,装置采用石英砂作为固相颗粒,自来水为液相,利用线性调频超声信号激励研究液固两相介质的超声衰减特性。实验结果表明,随着激励频率和固相体积分数的升高,超声衰减系数逐渐增加,采用Twomey及遗传算法等对液固两相介质粒径分布进行反演,测试结果与马尔文激光粒度分析仪的粒径分布结果相比,相关系数为0.918。     

数字信号处理技术在科氏质量流量计中的应用

科氏质量流量计是目前应用范围最广、发展速度最快的流量计之一。数字信号处理技术是科氏质量流量计的核心技术,直接决定其测量精度、测量稳定性等性能指标;而流量传感器输出信号的数学模型是信号处理的依据和基础。国内外学者提出了多种信号处理方法,但是,没有根据不同的信号模型和不同的应用场合对各种信号处理方法进行比较和评价。为此,根据不同数字信号处理方法的特征量提取原理,分析了其具有的优缺点。针对科氏质量流量计单相流、批料流与气液两相流测量这3种典型应用场合中存在的关键技术问题,依据随机游动信号模型、突变信号模型和自回归滑动平均(ARMA)信号模型,分别从计算精度、响应速度、收敛性、抗干扰能力和对参数变化的敏感度等方面,对不同信号处理方法进行考核和对比,确定了3种典型应用场合下,解决关键技术问题,性能最佳的数字信号处理方法。     

Theoretical study of vertical slug flow measurement by data fusion from electromagnetic flowmeter and electrical resistance tomography

Electrical resistance tomography (ERT) can be used to obtain the conductivity distribution or the phase distribution of gas/liquid flows (e.g. slug flow). Using proper parameter models and flow regime identification models, the measurement of phase size, void fraction, and pattern recognition can be realized. Electromagnetic flowmeters have been used to measure conductive single-phase liquid flows. However, neither ERT nor electromagnetic flowmeters (EMF) can provide accurate measurement of gas/liquid two-phase flows. This paper presents an approach to fuse the information from ERT and an electromagnetic flowmeter. A model for the measurement signal from the electromagnetic flowmeter has been developed based on the flow pattern and the phase distributions, which are obtained from the reconstructed images of ERT, aiming to reduce the measurement error of the electromagnetic flowmeter and enhance the measurement accuracy. Through the simulation research of virtual current density distribution, the feasibility of fusion of electromagnetic flowmeter and ERT to measure gas/liquid two-phase vertical slug flow is verified. By theoretical analysis, the relationship between the output of electromagnetic flowmeter and flow parameters is established. The electrical potential difference of the electromagnetic flowmeter, average velocity, volume flow rate and gas void fraction between the bubble size and location are also investigated. The fusion approach can be used to measure vertical slug flows.     

A gas microflowmeter with a specified sensitivity value

A method for specifying the output signal and constant (in a 0- to 50-mg/s flow rate range) sensitivity of a microflowmeter independently of the sort of the monitored gas is described. Results of an experimental study of quantitative and qualitative characteristics of a thermoanemometric thermal flowmeter based on indirect-heating thermistors are given. In a 0- to 25-mg/s nitrogen and argon flow rate range, the output signal varies from 70 to 100 V and the sensitivity is 2 V/(mg s^?1). The measurement accuracy is 0.13–0.28%, depending on the specified tempeature difference. The temperature self-regulation of the flowmeter is ensured by heat-carrier thermal stabilization at temperature levels specified by a special thermostabilization system. The active behavior of the heat-carrier thermostabilzation system assumes that it can be used in the vacuum chamber of the test stand.     

SWT based separation method for periodic signal with non-stationary noise and its application in EMF

Periodic signal superimposed with strong non-stationary noise that follows an approximate 1/f distribution cannot be easily separated with traditional signal processing methods. Using the stationary wavelet transform, the noisy signal is decomposed into wavelet coefficients including both the detail and approximate coefficients. According to its periodic feature, detail coefficients on each scale are extracted to form the same-phase sequences which consist of coefficients with the same phase values in each cycle. The amplitude probability distribution functions of same-phase sequences follow approximate Gaussian distribution. Therefore, noise in the same-phase sequences can be removed with the non-linear median filter and moving average filter. Since non-stationary noise follows approximate 1/f distribution, the approximate coefficients on the lowest frequency level have strong non-stationary property. Due to spectrum leakage of different frequency sections, the leakage signal components are superimposed on the approximate coefficients. Three different filtering methods are proposed to process the approximate coefficients in order to extract the useful signal components and to reconstruct the periodic signal accurately. Finally the proposed method is used to process the output signal of electromagnetic flowmeter during slurry flow measurement under different slurry concentrations and different flow rates. Results show that the proposed method is effective in the separation of periodic signal and strong non-stationary noise which follows the approximate 1/f distribution.     

Performance evaluation of piezoelectric and differential pressure sensor for vortex flowmeters

Piezoelectric and transient differential pressure sensors are two among the most widely employed sensors for vortex flowmeter application. The present study evaluates the performance of these two techniques under fully developed and disturbed flow conditions. Firstly, the location of the transient differential pressure sensor is optimized to obtain high amplitude signals and good linearity in Strouhal number. Empirical mode decomposition method in combination with autocorrelation decay is successfully employed at high Reynolds numbers to identify the vortex shedding frequency in presence of hydrodynamic noise. The performance of the differential pressure sensor deteriorates significantly under disturbed flow conditions at low Reynolds number due to the presence of low frequency components. This deterioration in the signal quality limits the lower operating range of the flowmeter with differential pressure sensor. The output signals of the piezoelectric sensor and differential pressure sensor under no flow condition are compared to obtain the background noise due to piping vibrations and electrical interferences. These results will help a designer to suggest robust signal processing algorithms for vortex frequency detection.