Investigation into an electromagnetic flowmeter for use with low conductivity liquids

Lincoln, David. 2006. Investigation into an electromagnetic flowmeter for use with low conductivity liquids. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.

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Abstract

Scientists have been researching the performance of electromagnetic flow meters with insulating liquids for almost 50 years. Although working prototypes have been developed, these devices have only operated under laboratory conditions and have not yet reached the performance standard required of a commercially manufactured flow meter. This study has investigated the performance of three different designs of flow meter with low conductivity liquids. Two of the flow meters were novel in design having long electrodes and magnetic fields. It was found that the long electrode flow meters performed better with low conductivity liquids than the conventional flow meter. Also as part of this project a model of a flow meter was developed that could predict the likely behaviour of different electrode and coil geometries. Using the model analysis the optimal flow meter design for use with insulating oil was investigated. The favoured design had a rectangular flow conduit with elongated large area electrodes covering the entire surfaces of two of the opposing faces. Based on the modelling work a flow meter was developed and its performance evaluated using digital signal processing software. When the flow system was tested on oil the results showed no discernable flow signal within the large noise voltage. A subsequent theoretical analysis of the set-up revealed that the developed flow meter suffered from stray capacitance, which was shunting the signal. The development of a replacement flow meter is described that was able to measure the flow of an insulating liquid.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Engineering
Subjects:	T Technology > TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering
ISBN:	9781303222481
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Last Modified:	22 Aug 2024 10:42
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/55090

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