Classification of two-phase flow patterns by ultrasonic sensing

This paper presents a methodology for classification of two-phase flow patterns in fluid systems, which takes the measurements of an in situ ultrasonic sensor as inputs. In contrast to the common practice of having an array of ultrasonic detectors, the underlying algorithm requires only a single sensor hardware in combination with an integrated software of signal conditioning, feature extraction, and pattern classification. The proposed method is noninvasive and can be implemented in a variety of industrial applications (e.g., petrochemical processes and nuclear power plants). This concept of flow pattern classification is experimentally validated on a laboratory test apparatus.