TWO-PHASE FLOW SENSOR USING CROSS-FLOW-INDUCED VIBRATIONS

摘要

A sensor system detects the occurrence of two-phase flow by comparing records of fluidelastic force coefficients, which are characteristically different for single-phase and two-phase flows. A baseline of measurements is obtained for a single phase flow, and a baseline of measurements is obtained for a two-phase flow. Measurements of the amplitude and phase of the fluidelastic forces are recorded, and the corresponding fluidelastic force coefficients computed. The fluidelastic force coefficients can be determined for any flow, and compared to the baselines to determine whether the flow is a single-phase or two-phase flow.

主权项

1. A system for detecting two-phase flow comprising:
a data analysis system; a pipe with crossflow inside the pipe; a thin rod with a first flat segment and a second flat segment a cantilever tube elastically supported by the thin rod; a first sensor on the first flat segment, in a first direction parallel to the crossflow, connected to the cantilever tube and to the data analysis system; a second sensor on the second flat segment, in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, connected to the cantilever tube and to the data analysis system; wherein the cantilever tube is immersed in the crossflow, and wherein the data analysis system collects information from the sensors, computes values representing fluidelastic-induced forces on the cantilever tube, compares the values to reference values, and determines whether the crossflow is a two-phase flow.