No abstract

No abstract

The in-line measurement of solids mass flow rate in a prototype industrial scale pneumatic conveying pipeline by a thermal method has been investigated over a range of dilute conveying conditions. A thermal method of determining solids mass flow rate should, in principle, be capable of achieving a reliable measurement regardless of; inhomogeneities in solids' distribution, irregularities in velocity profile and variations in particle size or shape. The instrument described in this article operates by the injection of heat energy into the pipeline by way of a heated section and measuring the resultant change in solids' temperature using infrared sensors. Initial results from the thermal instrument are compared with measurements from a gain in weight system showing good correlation. The importance of sensor window condition and temperature on measurement is discussed.