A Review of Recent Electrical Resistance Tomography (ERT) Applications for Wet Particulate Processing

Abstract

Electrical Resistance Tomography (ERT) provides the capability to measure the conductivity distribution within a given process plant delivering time evolving multi‐dimensional information which often enhances fundamental process understanding whilst improving the design and operation of the process equipment. This paper reviews previous work undertaken using ERT for applications associated to wet particulate processing. The review is split into three sections including multi‐phase flow, solid‐liquid suspensions and reactive particulate processing. Typical results from a number of examples from both, research and industrial environments are presented.

Study of solid–liquid mixing in agitated tanks through electrical resistance tomography

“…Among these, ERT is the most attractive method owing to its inherent simplicity, high-speed capability, and rugged construction of the tomographer. ERT is sufficiently robust to cope with most industrial environment, hence it is widely used in various chemical engineering processes, including bubble columns (Wang et al, 2001), solid-liquid filtration (Vlaev et al, 2000), polymerization (Kaminoyama et al, 2005), cyclonic separation , photoreactors (Zhao et al, 2008), and in the mixing processes (Holden et al, 1998;Stanley et al, 2002;Ricard et al, 2005;Stanley, 2006;Stanley and Bolton, 2008;Pakzad et al, 2008aPakzad et al, , 2008b.…”

A novel method of modeling and simulation for electrical resistance tomography system

“…The visualization measurement of conductive two/multi-phase flow in the closed pipe and process vessel inside is achieved by Electrical Resistance Tomography (ERT) [1,2]. In view of the research and development in recent years, ERT was in the stage of combining the application basic with applied research.…”

Making use of process tomography data for multivariate statistical process control

“…[1][2][3][4] It samples a substantial proportion of the process volume rather than at a single point; therefore, it is particularly useful for investigating the dynamic performance of a manufacturing process. Among various process tomography techniques, electrical resistance tomography (ERT) is one of the most established and widely used.…”

“…It comprises a sensor array, a data acquisition system, and a personal computer with control and data processing software. 4 The sensor array consists of multiple electrodes arranged around or within the region of interest at fixed locations in such a way that they make electrical contact with the fluid inside the vessel without interfering the flow or movement of materials. The most common configuration is a circular pipe or vessel with 16 electrodes as shown in Figure 1.…”

“…Authors are referred to a recent review for more information about ERT application for wet particulate processing. 4 Through visual inspection on the reconstructed conductivity tomography images, process operating condition is monitored. Abnormalities in the vessels or pipelines, such as settlement of particles in some zones, can be detected.…”