Dynamic Superficial Dielectric Constant Models and Void Fraction Prediction by Microwave Resonant Cavity for Gas Liquid Flow

Yang, Yihuang; Liu, Minghui; Liu, Jiajun; Xu, Ying; Ma, Huiming; Liu, Yuhao; Yuan, Chao; Hewakandamby, Buddhika; Dimitrakis, Georgios

Abstract

In the investigation of non-uniform flow measurement utilizing microwave technologies, both the dielectric properties and phase fraction of the flow are crucial factors. This study introduces a new concept of dynamic superficial dielectric constant (DSDC) to characterize the variations in dielectric constant of the fluids, thereby facilitating the development of a method to measure void fraction in air-water flows. A detection technique employing a microwave resonant cavity (MRC) was implemented, and experiments were conducted for various air-water flow void fractions using an MRC sensor under pressures ranging from 0.3 to 0.9 MPa and superficial gas velocities from 5 to 12 m/s. The experimental results demonstrated that the void fraction of the air-water flow significantly affects the resonant frequency, while the pressure and superficial gas velocity have no direct impact. Furthermore, DSDC models were constructed and assessed based on the MRC sensor data. The proposed methodology, when applied to void fraction measurement in stratified and annular flows, yielded an accuracy within ±5% for approximately 91% and 95% of tested samples, respectively. The introduced concept, method, and DSDC model offer a novel, feasible and precise measurement system capable of characterizing the dielectric properties and estimating phase fractions in non-uniform flow fields.

Citation

Yang, Y., Liu, M., Liu, J., Xu, Y., Ma, H., Liu, Y., Yuan, C., Hewakandamby, B., & Dimitrakis, G. (in press). Dynamic Superficial Dielectric Constant Models and Void Fraction Prediction by Microwave Resonant Cavity for Gas Liquid Flow. IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement,

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 8, 2025
• Deposit Date: Feb 17, 2025
• Journal: IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement
• Print ISSN: 0018-9456
• Electronic ISSN: 1557-9662
• Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/45589819