Optical fiber probes for particle size/velocity measurements: a simulation model. Part 1

Area of Science:

• Fluid dynamics
• Optical engineering
• Sensor technology

Background:

• Two-phase flows are common in industrial processes.
• Accurate measurement of particle size and velocity is crucial for process control.
• Optical fiber-based sensors offer non-intrusive measurement capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a ray tracing model for optical fiber-based sensor systems.
• To simulate sensor performance in measuring particle size and velocity in two-phase flows.
• To investigate the impact of optical component size and proximity on measurement accuracy.

Main Methods:

• Development of a comprehensive ray tracing model.
• Simulation of light propagation through optical fibers and interaction with particles.
• Analysis of visibility and phase lag techniques for particle characterization.

Main Results:

• The model accurately predicts sensor performance under various conditions.
• Measurement accuracy is significantly influenced by the relative sizes of optics and particles.
• Proximity of optics to the measurement volume affects signal quality and measurement resolution.

Conclusions:

• The developed ray tracing model is a valuable tool for designing and optimizing optical fiber-based sensors.
• Understanding the interplay between optical geometry and particle size is key to reliable two-phase flow measurements.
• This work provides insights for improving sensor design for challenging flow regimes.