In a groundbreaking study, a new approach to nonintrusive in-line rheometry has been developed, eliminating the need for pressure difference measurements along the pipe. This innovative method, which utilizes the UVP-DUO product from Met-Flow S.A., has the potential to revolutionize the field of viscometry.
Traditional in-line rheometry methods require the insertion of pressure probes in the pipe to quantify the frictional force acting on the pipe wall. These methods rely on assumptions about the type of fluid and can be subject to errors due to fluid flow slip on the wall. The new approach, however, uses unsteadiness of target pipe flows reflected by spatiotemporal velocity information to estimate quasi-instantaneous rheological properties.
The UVP-DUO, an ultrasonic velocity profiler, plays a crucial role in this new method. It measures the instantaneous velocity profile in the direction of ultrasound propagation in clear and opaque liquids. By combining this data with inverse analysis of the equation of motion in the frequency domain, the method can estimate rheological properties without the need for intrusive probes.
The effectiveness of this method was tested in a numerical experiment using solution of pulsatile pipe flows with different viscosities and frequencies. The results showed that the method can accurately estimate viscosity, opening up new possibilities for in-line "viscometry".
The method was further demonstrated in a laboratory pipe loop facility using viscous silicone oil as the test fluid. The time variation of the viscosity due to transient temperature variation of the fluid was successfully quantified, highlighting the potential of this method for real-time monitoring of rheological properties in industrial applications.
The UVP-DUO, with its ability to provide nonintrusive, real-time measurements of velocity profiles, is a key component of this new approach to in-line rheometry. By eliminating the need for pressure difference measurements, this method overcomes a significant limitation of traditional rheometry methods.
In conclusion, the new approach to nonintrusive in-line rheometry, enabled by the UVP-DUO, represents a significant advance in the field of viscometry. It has the potential to improve the quality and safety of food, chemical, and material products, optimize processes, and enable safe processing of products.
For more information about the UVP-DUO and its applications in in-line rheometry, please contact the Met-Flow team.
Revolutionizing In-line Rheometry: The UVP-DUO and the Future of Viscometry