Abstract
Mass flow measurement of gas-solids mixtures using electrostatic sensors is of major importance in lean-phase solids conveying. Many sensing problems exist but the spatial sensitivity is the main concern in developing the sensing system. Although many different shapes and sizes of electrostatic sensors have been reported in the literature, fundamental work on the mechanism of signal generation has not been considered in detail and related to the sensor geometry. In this paper, the mechanism of signal generation of an electrostatic sensor is studied and mathematical modelling of circular electrostatic sensors has been carried out using a two-dimensional finite element method (FEM). The analysis shows that the sensing volume of the sensors is dependent upon the geometry of the sensors and the different forms of signal generating mechanisms depend more upon the sensing volume rather than the physical size of the sensors. As a result, an analysis of the sensor spatial sensitivity has been carried out which provides important design information of suitable electrostatic sensors.
| Original language | English |
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| Pages (from-to) | 107-115 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Instrumentation in the Aerospace Industry : Proceedings of the International Symposium |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 1996 |
| Event | 42nd International Instrumentation Symposium - San Diego, United States Duration: 5 May 1996 → 9 May 1996 Conference number: 42 |