Title
Mass Flow Monitoring by Distributed Fiber Optical Temperature Sensing.
Abstract
We developed a novel method to monitor mass flow based on distributed fiber optical temperature sensing. Examination of the temporal and spatial temperature distribution along the entire length of a locally heated fluidic conduit reveals heat flow under forced convection. Our experimental results are in good agreement with two-dimensional finite element analysis that couples fluid dynamic and heat transfer equations. Through analysis of the temperature distribution bidirectional flow rates can be measured over three orders of magnitude. The technique is not flow intrusive, works in harsh conditions, including high-temperatures, high pressures, corrosive media, and strong electromagnetic environments. We demonstrate a first experimental implementation on a short fluidic system with a length of one meter. This range covers many applications such as low volume drug delivery, diagnostics, as well as process and automation technology. Yet, the technique can, without restrictions, be applied to long range installations. Existing fiber optics infrastructures, for instance on oil pipelines or down hole installations, would only require the addition of a heat source to enable reliable flow monitoring capability.
Year
DOI
Venue
2019
10.3390/s19194151
SENSORS
Keywords
Field
DocType
fiber optic sensors,flow diagnostics,temperature
Fluidics,Forced convection,Optical fiber,Fiber optic sensor,Flow (psychology),Electronic engineering,Finite element method,Engineering,Acoustics,Mass flow,Volumetric flow rate
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
19
19
1424-8220
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
0
0.34
0
Authors
3
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Alin Jderu100.34
Marius Enachescu200.34
Dominik Ziegler300.34