Application of optical tomography in industrial process control system

The overall aim of the project is to investigate the application of an optical tomographic system in an industrial process control system. Measurements were made with lensed optical fibre sensors using a hydraulic flow rig. A custom heating fixture was used to construct the lenses. The system employs a combination of two orthogonal projections consisting of sixteen sensors and two rectilinear projections consisting of twenty two sensors. Optical energy is projected into the measurement volume using a well collimated beam from four projectors. Gas bubbles, with an approximate diameter of 1 cm are injected at the bottom of the gas column. Gas volume flow rates of 0-71/min are being investigated. Optical sensors are intended for use where the conveyed component ratio is less than 10% vol./vol. The purpose of the system is for online monitoring of concentration and velocity profiles in two-phase flows.