OPEN ACCESS
One of the industrial problems with pipe line system management is recognizing and measuring multiphase in the slug flow. The present study investigates a resonant cavity made of aluminum in a vertical flow direction. S-parameter measurements have been taken for dynamic mixtures in a microwave frequency range from 1-6 GHz. The volume fractions of water-oil-gas in slug flow can be determined by two horizontal shifts in the resonant frequencies based on the reflection and transmittion of electromagnetic waves. Results which have been carried out in resonance range between 3.5- 4.5 GHz. The shifts correspond to the water volume fraction in the mixture (water-air-oil) when in slug flow. The experimental results have confirmed that this non-intrusive and non-invasive sensor could provide an accurate phase fraction measurement for a multiphase mixture in slug flow.
microwave sensor, slug flow, non-invasive, resonant cavity
The author is grateful to Radio Frequency & Microwave Group at Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK, the Dean of the Faculty, Research Assistants and staff for their assistance and access to the laboratory facilities.
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