Electrical and mechanical sensor-based mass flow rate measurement system: A comparative approach

Gas-Solid flow finds its application in various industries such as chemical and food processes, pharmaceuticals, automobile and power generation. The precise measurement and real-time monitoring of the flow process have garnered a lot of attraction in the modern industrial era. The effective utilization, with high efficiency, of the resources have compelled the researchers to investigate Gas-Solid flow monitoring and measurement process for the last two decades. Efforts are extended to design instruments for flow pattern visualization and quantification of mass flow rate. Generally, volumetric flow concentration and velocity profile of the solid particles are required to find the mass flow rate (MRF) in the case of non-invasive measurement techniques. This paper proposes a novel non-invasive mass flow rate measurement system for solid particles where electrical and mechanical sensors are simultaneously used to compensate each other's associated drawbacks. The solid particles are allowed to slide along an insulated inclined channel under the effect of gravity. The velocity profile and volumetric flow concentration are calculated using electrical sensors. Furthermore, load cell serves as a second sensor to calculate the mass flow rate. The experimental results from both the sensors are compared to investigate the accuracy and relative errors of both the sensors under different conditions.