Contact

Eckhard Schleicher

Head Experimental technology
Senior Scientist, Building VEFK
e.schleicherAthzdr.de
Phone: +49 351 260 3230

Dr. Philipp Wiedemann

p.wiedemannAthzdr.de
Phone: +49 351 260 2467

More Information

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Wire-mesh sensors for industrial application

The industrial type of wire-mesh sensor aims at combining the well-established wire-mesh sensor measuring technique with improved hardware components and an optimized design in order to meet the requirements of harsh operating conditions that occur in industrial applications. Furthermore, measured data is processed online, so that information on flow properties can be provided in real time for the purpose of process control. In order to achieve this, the electronics assembly was extended by means of a FPGA unit for internal data processing. The FPGA controls the modules for transmission and receiving, calculates the spatio-temporal phase fractions based on previously stored calibration data and applies algorithms for data reduction. In contrast to the scientific environment, in which a high spatio-temporal resolution of phase fraction is usually required, the industrial wire-mesh sensor provides information on the mean phase fractions and the flow pattern exclusively. These parameters are of utmost importance for industrial purposes. However, the identification of flow regimes is far from trivial. Therefore, complex algorithms that base on fuzzy cluster analysis of phase fraction data were developed and implemented into the device. They were successfully validated for both vertically and horizontally aligned two-phase flows and are able to identify transitional flow patterns as well. The transfer of information to e.g. a process control system is accomplished by 4-20 mA signals. Moreover, the industrial wire-mesh sensor applies internal temperature compensation. In doing so, calibration data is automatically adjusted in dynamic operation modes in order to provide reliable measurements all the time.


Beside the adjustments of the electronics assembly a new sensor design was realized. Main emphases was put to the resistance against extreme conditions that occur in various processes as well as simple assembly and removal. Hence, a robust metallic body is equipped with flanges enabling easy mounting in existing plants. The sensor itself is constructed as slide-in module allowing rapid and easy assembly and removal in case of maintenance or if another sensor with a different spatial resolution should be substituted.


Acknowledgment

The project "IndWMS - Entwicklung eines industriellen Gittersensormesssystems" was funded within the framework of a ZIM-cooperation project by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. Funding number: ZF4292502WM6, duration: 01.03.2017 - 31.05.2020

Parts of the presented work have been realized within the frame of the EXIST-program funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and the European Social Fund. Project name: "FlowSens - Industrielle Messtechnik zur Erfassung von Prozessgrößen in Mehrphasen-Strömungen", funding number: 03EFT9SN41, duration: 01.08.2012 - 31.01.2014.


Cooperation partner

The development of the industrial type of wire-mesh sensors is conducted in cooperation with our industrial parter Teletronic Rossendorf GmbH.


Selected publications

  • Wiedemann, P.; de Assis Dias, F.; Trepte, M.; Schleicher, E.; Hampel, U.
    Towards Real-Time Analysis of Gas-Liquid Pipe Flow: A Wire-Mesh Sensor for Industrial Applications
    Sensors 23 (2023) 4067, doi: 10.3390/s23084067
  • Wiedemann, P.; de Assis Dias, F.; Schleicher, E.; Hampel, U.
    Temperature Compensation for Conductivity-Based Phase Fraction Measurements with Wire-Mesh Sensors in Gas-Liquid Flows of Dilute Aqueous Solutions
    Sensors 20 (2020) 7114, doi: 10.3390/s20247114
  • Wiedemann, P.; Döß, A.; Schleicher, E.; Hampel, U.
    Fuzzy flow pattern identification in horizontal air-water two-phase flow based on wire-mesh sensor data
    International Journal of Multiphase Flow 117 (2019) 153-162, doi: 10.1016/j.ijmultiphaseflow.2019.05.004
  • Kipping, R.; Brito, R.; Schleicher, E.; Hampel, U.
    Developments for the application of the Wire-Mesh Sensor in industries
    International Journal of Multiphase Flow 85 (2016) 86-95, doi: 10.1016/j.ijmultiphaseflow.2016.05.017
  • Schleicher, E., Tschofen, M., Kipping, R., Hampel, U.
    Wire-mesh Sensors: Recent Developments and Applications
    SWINTH-2016, Specialists Workshop on Advanced Instrumentation and Measurement Techniques for Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulics, 15.-17.06.2016, Livorno, Italia

Patents

  • Schleicher, E.; Tschofen, M.; Pietruske, H.
    Gittersensor-System zum Charakterisieren einer Fluidströmung
    DE 102015117084, PCT/DE2016/100397
  • Schleicher, E.; Löschau, M.; Van Campen, L.
    Anordnung zur Bestimmung der Phasenverteilung in mehr-phasigen Medien mit mindestens einer hochleitfähigen Phase
    DE102013203437; BR112015020248-9; CA 2,899,997; EP 14708229.1; RU 2015 132 223; US 14/771,070