Ultrasonic Waveguide Sensors for Measurements in Process Industries

Ultrasonic waveguide-based sensing, that permit robust measurements and sensing, is discussed in this paper. The use of ultrasonic guided waves has several advantages including remote measurements, multi-modal nature allowing for measurement of different parameters, small footprint, low cost, multi-point measurements on the same waveguide and most importantly robustness. These inherent qualities of ultrasonic waveguide-based sensing are particularly useful in industrial applications. One of the key applications that will be described will be the measurement of E and G moduli of materials as a function of temperature over a wide range of materials will be demonstrated. Knowing the moduli as a function of temperature, the measurement of physical properties such as temperature, rheology, fluid level, etc. of the surrounding fluid material can be accomplished using several embodiments of the waveguides using the fundamental wave modes such as L(0,1), T(0,1) and F(1.1). In addition, it will be shown that under sodium imaging in large plant conditions can be performed using ultrasonic waveguides using the A0 modes.