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Optical Mass Sensor for Multi-Phase Flows

NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center has developed a noninvasive optical mass flow sensor capable of measuring multi-phase flows in pipes. This technology offers high accuracy, real-time void fraction and quality measurements, and is suitable for various applications including cryogenic fuels and the oil and gas industry. The sensor is retrofittable, cost-effective, and safe from electromagnetic interference, making it a versatile solution for measuring complex flow scenarios.

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16 views

Optical Mass Sensor for Multi-Phase Flows

NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center has developed a noninvasive optical mass flow sensor capable of measuring multi-phase flows in pipes. This technology offers high accuracy, real-time void fraction and quality measurements, and is suitable for various applications including cryogenic fuels and the oil and gas industry. The sensor is retrofittable, cost-effective, and safe from electromagnetic interference, making it a versatile solution for measuring complex flow scenarios.

Uploaded by

dtugberk2015
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Sensors

Optical Mass Sensor for Multi- BENEFITS


Provides void fraction and quality values

Phase Flows
through real-time flow rate measurement
Has no moving parts
Keeps all sensor components external to flow
Noninvasive device provides both static and dynamic measures of path and insensitive to pipe material
void fraction in gas-vapor mixes
Is safe from electromagnetic interference and
poses no radiation hazard
NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center is offering opportunities for its new Retrofits to existing piping systems from 0.5
fiber optic mass flow sensor system. Capable of measuring multi-phase to 12 in diameter
flows in a pipe, the technology is minimally invasive, cost effective, Accommodates various flow schemes found
retrofittable, and compact. MSFCs new technology combines high within pipes including bubbles
accuracy, intrinsically safe operation, and low-cost flow sensing for Is a potentially inexpensive sensor design
virtually any optically transparent medium, providing a superior product
for measuring multi-phase flows.
THE TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS
Unlike commercial turbine and Venturi-type sensors, which are flow The technology has several potential applications:
intrusive and prone to high error rates, NASA's new flow sensor Cryogenic liquid and fuel flow, handling, and
technology uses an optical technique to precisely measure the physical storage measurements
characteristics of a liquid flowing within a pipe. It generates a reading of Oil and gas industry multi-phase flows
the flows density, which provides a highly accurate mass flow
measurement when combined with flow velocity data from a second Industrial, automotive, and aerospace multi-
phase flows
optical sensor.
Powder spray coatings
NASA's sensor technology provides both a void fraction measurement,
Food processing
which is a measurement of the instantaneous gas/liquid percentage of a
static volume and a quality measurement, which is the fraction of flow that Chemical processing, handling, and storage
is vapor as part of a total mass flow. It also provides a direct Zero-gravity liquid tank level sensors
measurement of the gas/liquid concentration within the flow, making it
suited for real-time measurement of multi-phase flows.
PUBLICATIONS
The technology was originally developed to accurately determine the flow Patent No: 7,738,084
rates and tank levels of multi-phase cryogenic fuels used on various NASA
vehicles including the Space Shuttle and in ground-based propulsion -V. Korman. "Density and Cavitating Flow Results
testing. It can also be used for a wide range of gas/liquid ratios, flows with from a Full-Scale Optical Multiphase Cryogenic
complex cross sectional profiles, flows containing bubbles or quasi-solids, Flowmeter", (2007)
and essentially any liquid, gas, or multi-phase flow that can be optically
characterized. Because it is insensitive to position, the new technology
also has potential for use in zero-gravity tank level sensors.

The NASA optical mass flow sensor as designed for in-line cryogenic fuel
measurements.

technology.nasa.gov
National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA's Technology Transfer Program pursues the
More Information

Agency Licensing Concierge widest possible applications of agency technology


Marshall Space Flight Center to benefit US citizens. Through partnerships and
Huntsville, AL 35812
licensing agreements with industry, the program
202-358-7432 ensures that NASA's investments in pioneering
[email protected] research find secondary uses that benefit the
www.nasa.gov
economy, create jobs, and improve quality of life.
MFS-32031-1, TOP8-91
NP-2015-05-1778-HQ

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