Fiber optic sensor for sensing particle movement in a catalytic reactor

摘要

An optical probe for sensing presence of small moving particles passing through a defined sensing region comprises: i) an emitter optic fiber for transmitting from its tip radiant energy outwardly of the probe; ii) a receptor optic fiber for receiving radiant energy reflected by such particles moving through said sensing region; iii) a lens for focusing radiant energy emitted from the emitter tip into a focal region, spaced outwardly of the probe and which diverges outwardly into a defined high density radiant energy region; iv) the receptor optic fiber defining a diverging viewing region projecting outwardly towards the high density radiant energy region, the receptor optic fiber being positioned relative to the lens to project the viewing region to overlap a useful portion of the high density radiant energy region to define thereby the sensing region. This sensor is particularly useful in monitoring the flow characteristics of catalytic particles in a catalytic reactor for cracking of gasoline constituents.