DEVICE FOR DETERMINING SUBSTANCE PARAMETERS BY MEANS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES

Abstract

A device for determining at least one substance parameter of a substance flowing in a pipeline, wherein the device includes electromagnetic wave transmitting means and receiving means for transmitting and receiving, respectively, electromagnetic waves through the substance. The device includes an outer metal chamber, which is lined at least partly with an interior layer of electromagnetic wave absorber material, and an inner transfer pipeline element configured with at least two opposed wall segments that are essentially parallel with each other. The electromagnetic wave transmitting means and receiving means includes two antennas, preferably linear polarized antennas, each positioned at a respective one of the at least two opposed wall segments, such that electromagnetic waves pass through the substance flowing via the inner transfer pipeline element in a planar way. A method of determining at least one substance parameter of a substance flowing in a pipeline is disclosed.

Claims

1. A device for determining at least one substance parameter of a substance, said substance flowing in a pipeline, wherein said device comprises electromagnetic wave transmitting means and receiving means for transmitting and receiving, respectively, electromagnetic waves through said substance, characterized in that said device comprises an outer metal chamber, which is lined at least partly with an interior layer of electromagnetic wave absorber material, and an inner transfer pipeline element configured with at least two opposed wall segments that are essentially parallel with each other, wherein said electromagnetic wave transmitting means and receiving means comprises two antennas, each positioned at a respective one of said at least two opposed wall segments, such that electromagnetic waves pass through said substance flowing via said inner transfer pipeline element in a planar way.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said antennas are linear polarized antennas.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said two antennas, each positioned at a respective one of said at least two opposed wall segments, are positioned behind each one of said at least two opposed wall segments.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein a distance is arranged between each of said two opposed wall segments and the respective antennas, said distance representing a matching parameter.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said inner transfer pipeline element is configured as an essentially rectangular pipeline element.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein said inner transfer pipeline element is configured with connection means, e.g. connection flanges, at the ends for establishing connection to the pipeline.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said inner transfer pipeline element is configured with an inner cross sectional area that essentially is the same as the inner cross sectional area of the pipeline.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said antennas, e.g. linear polarized antennas, are patch antennas.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device comprises high frequency transmitting circuitry and high frequency receiving circuitry connected to said antennas, e.g. said linear polarized antennas.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device comprises a processing system for providing determination of a specific material in the substance, based on change in amplitude and/or phase for the electromagnetic wave propagated through the substance from one of said two antennas (14) to the other.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is configured for transmitting and receiving by said electromagnetic wave transmitting means and receiving means, respectively, electromagnetic waves at frequencies above 100 MHz.

12. A method of determining at least one substance parameter of a substance, said substance flowing in a pipeline, wherein said method comprises providing electromagnetic wave transmitting means and receiving means for transmitting and receiving, respectively, electromagnetic waves through said substance, characterized in that said method comprises providing a measurement device comprising an outer metal chamber, which is lined at least partly with an interior layer of electromagnetic wave absorber material, and an inner transfer pipeline element configured with at least two opposed wall segments that are essentially parallel with each other, wherein said electromagnetic wave transmitting means and receiving means comprises two antennas, each positioned at a respective one of said at least two opposed wall segments, propagating electromagnetic waves from said electromagnetic wave transmitting means to said electromagnetic wave receiving means passing through said substance in a planar way, and determining said at least one substance parameter based on change in amplitude and/or phase for the electromagnetic wave propagated through the substance.

13. The method according to claim 12, whereby said method comprises performing at least one initial calibration measurement.

14. The method according to claim 12, utilizing a device according to claim 1.

15. The method according to claim 12, whereby measurement data are provided through e.g. a data interface for remote use, for example for an automation or monitoring process.

16. The device according to claim 11, wherein said electromagnetic waves are in a frequency interval from 100 MHz to 50 GHz.

17. The device according to claim 11, wherein said electromagnetic waves are in a frequency interval from 300 MHz to 10 GHz.

18. The device according to claim 11, wherein said electromagnetic waves are in a frequency interval from 300 MHz to 1 GHz.

Description

THE FIGURES

[0046] The invention will be explained in further detail below with reference to the figures of which

[0047] FIG. 1 shows an example of a device according to an embodiment of the invention in a perspective view,

[0048] FIG. 2 shows the device of FIG. 1, but cut in half to show the inner structure,

[0049] FIGS. 3a,b show the device of FIG. 1 in an exploded view to show fundamental components,

[0050] FIG. 4 shows the device of FIG. 1 seen from above,

[0051] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the device according to the exemplary embodiment along the line A-A as indicated in FIG. 4,

[0052] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the device according to the exemplary embodiment along the line B-B as indicated in FIG. 4,

[0053] FIG. 7 is a typical measurement result showing the relation between the change of phase of the electromagnetic wave and the dry matter content of the substance,

[0054] FIGS. 8a,b is a further typical example, wherein measurements of change of phase as well as change of amplitude are shown and where the change of amplitude of the electromagnetic wave is relevant for determining the ratio between two types of dry matter and the total dry matter content of the mixture,

[0055] FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a device according to the invention, wherein electronic measuring and processing components are indicated, and

[0056] FIGS. 10a,b show sectional views of the device as shown in FIG. 5, but with further modifications indicated of the walls of the measuring chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] In FIG. 1 an example of a device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in a perspective view, wherein it is seen that the device comprises an outer metal chamber 4, which at both ends is designed with means for connecting the device 1 in a pipeline system, e.g. with the device 1 being designed with connection flanges 2 or the like. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the device is designed with a measuring circuitry box 6 having e.g. a lid 20 in connection with an intermediate part comprising a measuring chamber, etc. as it will be explained in the following.

[0058] FIG. 2 shows the device 1 of FIG. 1, but cut in half to show the inner structure, wherein it is shown that two opposed wall segments 12 are arranged in the interior of the device, arranged in planes that are parallel with each other. Behind each of these two opposed wall segments 12 an antenna 14 is disposed. The antennas 14 may be selected from various types and variations of antennas, e.g. including linear and circular polarized antennas, patch antennas, etc. According to certain embodiments, the antennas 14 are preferably linear polarized antennas, which preferably linear polarized antennas 14 preferably may be patch antennas. Furthermore, a distance 15 is arranged between each opposed wall segment 12 and each antenna 14. An interior layer of electromagnetic wave absorber material 8 is positioned inside the outer metal chamber 4 and substantially or at least partly surrounding the two preferably linear polarized antennas 14 and the opposed wall segments 12. Further, an electric circuit board 19 or the like is shown arranged in the measuring circuitry box 6 for e.g. supporting electric and electronic measuring equipment, including high frequency transmitting and receiving circuitry connected to the preferably linear polarized antennas and circuitry for computing and data communication with power supply and interfacing ports.

[0059] The structure of the device 1 will be further exemplified with reference to FIGS. 3a and 3b, which both show the device of FIG. 1 in an exploded view to show main components of the device 1. Here, it is shown that the device comprises an inner transfer pipeline element 10, which at both ends via transition parts 16 terminates in the connection flanges 2. The inner transfer pipeline element 10 comprises the two opposed wall segments 12 and may be designed as a rectangular or square pipe, made of e.g. a ceramic material, for example Aluminum Oxide (Al.sub.2O.sub.3) or e.g. glass or e.g. a thermoplastic material, for example PVDF. On the outer side of each of the opposed wall segments 12 the preferably linear polarized antennas 14 are arranged, each with an electrical connection 18 that leads into the measuring circuitry box 6.

[0060] In the example shown in FIG. 3a, the inner transfer pipeline element 10 is enclosed by the interior layer of electromagnetic wave absorber material 8, which is arranged as two shell-like halves that when assembled encloses the inner transfer pipeline element 10. On the outer side of the interior layer of electromagnetic wave absorber material 8 the outer metal chamber 4 is arranged, also arranged as two shell-like half parts. Finally, the measuring circuitry box 6 with its lid 20 is shown to be assembled with one of the outer metal chamber 4 half parts.

[0061] FIG. 3b corresponds to FIG. 3a, but as indicated with dotted lines, the interior layer of electromagnetic wave absorber material 8 may not necessarily enclose the complete inner transfer pipeline element 10, but may be only partially enclosing. For example, the layer may be restricted to a zone near the vital measuring parts, i.e. enclosing the preferably linear polarized antennas 14 and the parts of the inner transfer pipeline element 10 in the vicinity of the preferably linear polarized antennas. Other manners of arranging the interior layer of electromagnetic wave absorber material 8 may be possible, e.g. including arranging the layer with varying thickness, e.g. in accordance with specific and/or local needs for absorbing electromagnetic waves.

[0062] FIG. 4 shows the device of FIG. 1 seen from above, indicating sectional lines A-A and B-B for sectional view as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively. Furthermore, it is indicated with dotted lines that the device 1 is intended for being part of a pipeline system, e.g. connected to a pipeline 40 at each end for conducting a substance.

[0063] In FIG. 5 is shown a sectional view of the device 1 along the line A-A as indicated in FIG. 4. Thus, the two opposed wall segments 12 are shown arranged in the interior of the device in parallel planes. Further, behind each of these two opposed wall segments 12 are shown the preferably linear polarized antennas 14, separated by a distance 15 as previously mentioned. This distance 15 thus arranged corresponds to a space, which may serve as a matching parameter, e.g. in connection with an impedance matching of the antenna arrangement and/or the measuring arrangement in general. FIG. 5 further shows the interior layer of electromagnetic wave absorber material 8 positioned inside the outer metal chamber 4 and substantially or at least partly surrounding the two preferably linear polarized antennas 14, the opposed wall segments 12 and the upper and lower walls of the inner transfer pipeline element 10. Further, the electric circuit board 19 or the like is shown arranged in the measuring circuitry box 6 for e.g. supporting electric and electronic measuring equipment, and with connections 18 to the linear polarized antennas 14.

[0064] FIG. 6 shows correspondingly a sectional view of the device along the line B-B as indicated in FIG. 4. Here, it is further indicated that the inner transfer pipeline element 10 comprises the transition parts 16, which from the e.g. rectangular pipe part with the opposed wall segments 12 lead to the connection flanges 2. As indicated, the device 1 can here be connected to a pipeline 40 at each end for conducting a substance. The transition parts 16 serve for leading from the e.g. rectangular part of the inner transfer pipeline element 10 to the e.g. circular flange connection 2 (as can be seen in e.g. FIG. 5) and further on to the pipeline 40. For example, the transition part 16 can be designed to facilitate an efficient and/or suitable substance flow. Furthermore, in this connection it is noted that the e.g. rectangular part of the inner transfer pipeline element in a particular embodiment may be configured with the same inner cross section area as the pipeline 40 itself. Also the transition part 16 may be designed in such a manner that it at any transverse section will have the same inner cross section area as the pipeline 40 itself, but it will be apparent to the skilled person that other configurations and variations are possible.

[0065] The operation of the measuring device according to an embodiment of the invention will be explained in the following.

[0066] A substance with various temperature, pressure and flow velocity will be flowing in the pipeline 40 passing the inner transfer pipeline element of the device 1.

[0067] A high frequency signal from a transmitting circuitry placed e.g. in the measuring circuitry box 6 is applied to one of the two antennas 14, e.g. the preferably linear polarized antennas that serve as the transmitting antenna in the measuring chamber.

[0068] An electromagnetic wave is propagating from the transmitting antenna towards the planar surface of the opposite of the opposed two wall segments 12 in the e.g. rectangular inner transfer pipeline element 10. Emission from the transmitting antenna in all other directions is attenuated by the electromagnetic wave absorber material of the interior layer 8 in the measuring chamber in order to avoid interfering reflections.

[0069] The electromagnetic wave is passing through the pipe material as well as the substance without changing the wave front line orthogonal to the direction of propagation.

[0070] Due to the electromagnetic wave absorber material in the measuring chamber the out coming wave from the substance propagate directly to the one of the two antennas 14, e.g. preferably linear polarized antennas that serve as a receiving antenna without causing interfering reflections.

[0071] The signal from the receiving antenna is applied to receiver circuitry, e.g. positioned in the measuring circuitry box 6 that compares the incoming signal with a conducted reference signal from the transmitter circuitry in order to measure the change of amplitude and phase to be used for calculating the change of the specific material in the substance.

[0072] The electronic circuitry further more contains processing functionalities for computing and data interface communication to external sensors and for remote monitoring and control as it will be exemplified further below.

Example 1

[0073] In FIG. 7 is shown a typical measurement result showing the relation between the change of phase of the electromagnetic wave and the dry matter content (DM) of the substance conducted in the pipeline 40.

[0074] The substance being conducted here is sugar dissolved in a liquid, in this example water, which substance is being conducted in a pipeline having an inner diameter of 60 mm. The substance has been measured with a dry matter content in varying concentrations from 0% to app. 24%.

Other particulars relevant for this example are:
Electromagnetic wave frequency: 2.457 GHz

Temperature: 22 C.

[0075] As it appears from FIG. 7, the dry matter (DM) content can by the invention be determined in a linear relation 50 to the phase change of the received electromagnetic wave as compared to the transmitted electromagnetic wave. It is noted that initial calibration and possibly regular recalibrations are required, e. g. by propagating an electromagnetic wave through a flowing substance having a known dry matter (DM) content, for example 0%.

Example 2

[0076] In FIG. 8a and FIG. 8b a further typical measurement example is shown, involving measurements of change of phase as well as change of amplitude (shown as change of amplitude in dB) and where the change of amplitude of the electromagnetic wave is relevant for determining the dry matter content of the substance.

[0077] Here, the substances involved are potato starch and PEO 350000 (PEO 350K), which are substances with different material properties.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 8a, the phase change as a function of the dry matter content in e.g. a liquid will be essentially the same for the two substances, cf. curve 52 showing the dry matter content in relation to phase change for potato starch and curve 54 showing the dry matter content in relation to phase change for PEO 350K. Thus, in case the two substances are mixed, measurements of the phase chance as a function of the (total) dry matter content will show the same slope and the rate of mixture cannot be determined.

[0079] However, the two different substances will effect very different results as regards the dampening of the amplitude as a function of the dry matter content, which is demonstrated in FIG. 8b. Here, the curve 56 shows the dry matter content in relation to dampening for potato starch and the curve 58 shows the dry matter content in relation to dampening for PEO 350K. As clearly shown, the linear characteristics for the two substances are clearly distinguished from each other and based on this, the e.g. ratio of the mixture of substances can be determined.

[0080] In practice, the (total) dry matter content may be determined by a phase change measurement and subsequently, the dampening of the amplitude may be measured, which serves as basis for calculating the ratio of the mixture.

[0081] Such a method of determining the ratio of a mixture, using an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention, may be utilized for example to control the ratio of mixture of different substances in a process, e.g. by providing feedback to feeding apparatus, etc., based on the measured and calculated results.

[0082] A schematic illustration of an embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 9, wherein electronic measuring and processing components are indicated.

[0083] Thus, a measuring chamber with a flowing substance 22 is sketched having the two opposed wall segments 12, each with an antenna 14, which preferably is a linear polarized antenna, and with a distance 15 between each opposed wall segment 12 and each preferably linear polarized antenna 14 as previously mentioned. Further, high frequency transmitting circuitry 24 is shown, which feeds the transmitting antenna. The signal received by the other antenna, i.e. the receiving antenna, is lead to a high frequency receiving circuitry 26. The high frequency receiving circuitry 26 may further receive a reference signal input 27 from the high frequency transmitting circuitry 24 in order to determine the change in phase and/or amplitude. Both the high frequency transmitting circuitry 24 and the high frequency receiving circuitry 26 are connected to e.g. a processing system 28 for e.g. calculating the change of the specific material in the substance. It is noted as a possibility that as indicated in FIG. 9 the high frequency transmitting circuitry 24 as well as the high frequency receiving circuitry 26 may receive signals from the processing system 28, e.g. in connection with calibration, adjustments, etc. and that thus the communication between the processing system 28 and each of the high frequency transmitting 24 and receiving circuitry 26 may be bidirectional.

[0084] The processing system 28 may further be connected to e.g. a data interface communication unit 32, a monitoring and/or control unit 36, or the like for remote monitoring and control and other suitable functionalities. Also, a display 30 may be arranged, if desired, for direct visualization of the measured and/or calculated result. It is a further possibility, as indicated in FIG. 9, that the processing system 28 may be connected to the e.g. data interface communication unit 32, the monitoring and/or control unit 36 and/or the display 30 by bidirectional communication means and may thus receive input signals from one or more of these units as well.

[0085] Even further, the processing system 28 may be connected to one or more external sensors 34, e.g. for measuring temperature, pressure, flow velocity of the substance 22, which measurements may be used when performing the calculations concerning the specific material in the substance, e.g. the changes of the specific material. The processing system 28 may as shown in FIG. 1 transmit signals to such external sensors 34, which may be of relevance in connection with e.g. calibration, etc. of the system.

[0086] FIGS. 10a and 10b show sectional views of the device 1 as shown in FIG. 5, wherein further modifications are indicated as regards the walls of the measuring chamber provided by the inner transfer pipeline element 10, in particular the opposed wall segments 12. As shown in FIG. 10a, the upper wall segment 42 need not be a linear element, but may as shown be curved, e.g. in the shape of a circular arc or a variation hereof. Further, it is noted that the upper wall segment 42 may curve upwards as shown in FIG. 10a or that it may curve downwards, if suitable. Thus, it will be understood that the inner transfer pipeline element 10 may not be a rectangular pipe or the like. As shown in FIG. 10a, it is indicated that the electromagnetic wave absorber material 8 above the upper wall segment 42 may be modified correspondingly, while still being able to perform the function of facilitating the desired planar wave front electromagnetic wave passage in the measuring chamber. It is further noted in this respect that layers of electromagnetic wave absorber material 8 may be modified elsewhere as compared to the example shown in e.g. FIG. 5 and FIG. 10a, for example in order to accommodate e.g. part of components, in order to minimize the required amount of electromagnetic wave absorber material, etc. without adversely affecting the functioning of the device according to the invention.

[0087] FIG. 10b show a similar example, where the upper wall segment 42 is curved upwards as shown in FIG. 10a, and where furthermore the lower wall segment 44 is designed in a non-linear fashion, e.g. with a form being constructed by connecting linear parts. It will be apparent that other forms may be used as well and that also here the layer of electromagnetic wave absorber material 8 has been modified correspondingly.

[0088] The electromagnetic wave transmitting means and receiving means, e.g. the high frequency transmitting circuitry 24 and the high frequency receiving circuitry 26 may be designed for operating at frequencies above 100 MHz. In a preferred form, the frequency range may be in the interval from 100 MHz to 50 GHz, in a more preferred form the frequency range may be in the interval from 300 MHz to 10 GHz, in another preferred form the frequency range may be in the interval from 300 MHz to 1 GHz.

[0089] In the above description, various embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to the drawings, but it is apparent for a person skilled within the art that the invention can be carried out in an infinite number of ways, using e.g. the examples and configurations as disclosed in the description in various combinations, and within a wide range of variations within the scope of the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0090] 1 Device [0091] 2 Connection flange [0092] 4 Outer metal chamber [0093] 6 Measuring circuitry box [0094] 8 Interior layer of electromagnetic wave absorber material [0095] 10 Inner transfer pipeline element [0096] 12 Opposed wall segment [0097] 14 Antenna [0098] 15 Distance between an opposed wall segment and a linear polarized antenna [0099] 16 Transition part [0100] 18 Electrical connections for antenna [0101] 19 Electric circuit board [0102] 20 Lid for measuring circuitry box [0103] 22 Substance [0104] 24 High frequency transmitting circuitry [0105] 26 High frequency receiving circuitry [0106] 27 Reference input [0107] 28 Processing system [0108] 30 Display [0109] 32 Data interface communication [0110] 34 External sensor(s) [0111] 36 Monitoring and/or control [0112] 40 Pipeline [0113] 42 Upper wall segment in measuring chamber [0114] 44 Lower wall segment in measuring chamber [0115] 50 Curve Dry matter in relation to phase change for sugar [0116] 52 CurveDry matter in relation to phase change for potato starch [0117] 54 CurveDry matter in relation to phase change for PEO 350K [0118] 56 CurveDry matter in relation to dampening for potato starch [0119] 58 CurveDry matter in relation to dampening for PEO 350K