APPARATUS FOR MEASURING VARYING DENSITY OF A SLURRY FLOWING IN A PIPELINE

摘要

An improved apparatus is disclosed which employs hydrostatic bearings for measuring varying density of a fluid, usually of a slurry of coal or minerals, flowing in a transport pipeline. A first pipe section is fixedly interposed in the fluid carrying pipeline. A second or center pipe section is horizontally mounted within the first pipe section substantially coaxially therewith and to be in fluid communication with the fluid or slurry transporting pipeline whereby the transported fluid flows through the second or center pipe section. Ends of the second or center pipe section and adjacent ends of the transport pipe, or of intermediate pipe pieces conventionally coupled to the transport pipe, are machined and configured to be capable of functioning as hydrostatic bearing surfaces in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the center pipe section. A substantially ring-shaped chamber is disposed between the first and second pipe sections into which hydrostatic fluid is pumped under pressure through an inlet port provided in the first pipe section. The hydrostatic fluid flows through suitable ducts inwardly to the hydrostatic bearing surfaces, whereby motion of the center pipe section is substantially frictionless in the vertical direction. Weight of the center pipe section and of the fluid contained therein is measured by load cells, or strain gauges or the like. Preferably, the weight is obtained by accurately measuring vertical displacement of the center pipe section against the force of preloaded tension rods which mount the center pipe section to the enveloping first pipe section.