A Novel Zigzag EIT Sensor for Multiphase Pipeline Flows

Khalid Ismail, Mi Wang and Brian S Hoyle

Institute of Particle Science and Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK

K. n. I smail08@leeds. ac.uk

ABSTRACT

A preliminary study is presented for a specific EIT sensor design for imaging multiphase pipeline flows. In conjunction with a specific image reconstruction algorithm, it seeks a simpler electrode construction to overcome three­dimensional effects that may cause imaging errors in both the near­sensor­region and the spatial coordination of a conventional two­dimensional sensor. The novel sensing system concept includes both longitudinal and transverse information, generates a more uniform electric field over a narrow sensing section of pipe and facilitates a homogeneous sensitivity distribution across the narrow sensing section of pipeline. The paper provides evidence of the improvements gained from the new sensor through a comparison of the performance between traditional 2D EIT sensors and the Zigzag sensor. The novel sensing methodology presented in this paper promises a significant enhancement to EIT applications on both pipeline and restrict volume processes.

Keywords Zigzag EIT sensor, pipeline flow image, 3D effects.