A method for multilayer liquids density and viscosity integrated control in tanks based on ultrasonic sounding

DOI: 10.34759/trd-2019-108-12

Аuthors

Borminsky S. A.

Samara National Research University named after Academician S.P. Korolev, 34, Moskovskoye shosse, Samara, 443086, Russia

e-mail: b80@mail.ru

Abstract

The article proposes an acoustic method for integrated control of multilayer liquids parameters, based on analysis of ultrasonic signal, propagating from the acoustic emitter upward the tank. The method is based on ultrasonic signal propagation upward the tank from the emitter through a multilayer medium. A line of acoustic receivers herewith is located above the emitter at a predetermined distance. In general, each acoustic receiver contains two channels. The first channel measures acoustic pressure using a piezoelectric transducer. In addition to the transducer, the second channel contains a buffer rod with fixed acoustic parameters, which allows determining the medium density. The fixed distance between the receivers allows determine the sound speed in the given layer. Thus, the media boundary height in the tank is determined by the propagation time. The liquid viscosity is determined by the attenuation. This method improves the accuracy and reliability of parameters measuring, as well as allows eliminate the need for an additional sound-collecting waveguide and reference reflectors, usually employed for high-precision measurements. The absence of the waveguide ensures a number of advantages. Firstly, with the line of receivers application the signal amplitude is much higher, than while employing reference reflectors, which significantly improves noise immunity and accuracy of the incoming acoustic signal front determining. Secondly, multiple signal re-reflections, hampering with the media boundaries positions determining, occur in waveguide measurements in the presence of additional reflectors. Acoustic receivers employed in the proposed method are small-sized and practically do not reflect signals, which allows determining even weakly stratified media. Thirdly, the waveguide presence impedes ensuring the same liquid stratification as in the tank itself especially while fuel drain/fill operation. While liquid adding to the tank, only the lower fraction enters the waveguide, which makes the layered media measurements inaccurate. Fourth, the waveguide absence allows employing practically any frequencies for measuring. The additional effects herewith peculiar to the waveguide sound proliferation do not arise. Structurally, the whole sensor consists of long studs, on which receivers and emitter are located. This design allows quick extraction of the sensor for precipitation removal and other maintenance operations.

The article considered various options of media location relative to acoustic receivers for measurements implementation, on which ground a signal-processing algorithm was developed. The following cases were considered: homogeneous medium with a medium level above the second receiver from the bottom; homogeneous medium with a level between the first and second receivers; several fractions, when each has more than two receivers; two fractions with media boundaries between the first / second and second / third receivers. This combination of the considered options allows obtain all the necessary cases while operation.

A prototype device was developed. With inexpensive components application it demonstrated the errors of combined measurements of level, density and viscosity of 0.1%, 5% and 12% correspondingly.

Keywords:

control, level, density, density, ultrasound, increased accuracy

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