International Society for Industrial Process Tomography

Comparison of ERT Reconstruction Algorithms
to Monitor the Bed in Settling Slurry Pipe Flow

Andy Adler^1*, Reinhardt Kotze², Andrew Sutherland³

¹Systems and Computer Engineering, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada
²RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Bioscience and Materials, Agrifood and Bioscience, Product Design and Perception, SE-412 76, Göteborg, Sweden
³Flow Process & Rheology Centre (FPRC), Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), PO Box 652, Cape Town 8001, South Africa.

^*Email: Andy.Adler@carleton.ca

ABSTRACT

Electrical Resistance Tomography (ERT) is used in process tomography to measure multi-phase fluid flow in pipes. Many different image reconstruction algorithms have been developed – largely in the medical imaging community – which offer promise to help improve ERT performance. It is important to be able to compare reconstruction algorithms, and select the best for a specific application. We propose a comparison methodology in this paper. We tested six ERT reconstruction algorithms for the identification in static and dynamic flow situations. Metrics were developed to evaluate the algorithms in terms of image quality and accuracy, different objects/shapes and coarse solids bed levels were tested statically in a spool piece, and bed levels dynamically in a pipe loop. An algorithm comparison methodology was developed and used to evaluate the different images based on the results obtained. Overall, results show significant variability between reconstruction algorithms, with some giving poor results at the pipe boundary and others poor results at the centre of the image. Two high performing algorithms are identified, as well as research directions to improve overall performance.

Keywords Electrical Resistance Tomography, Pipe flow, Image reconstruction

Industrial Application General