A Review on Fast Tomographic Imaging Techniques and Their Potential Application in Industrial Process Control

Abstract

With the ongoing digitalization of industry, imaging sensors are becoming increasingly important for industrial process control. In addition to direct imaging techniques such as those provided by video or infrared cameras, tomographic sensors are of interest in the process industry where harsh process conditions and opaque fluids require non-intrusive and non-optical sensing techniques. Because most tomographic sensors rely on complex and often time-multiplexed excitation and measurement schemes and require computationally intensive image reconstruction, their application in the control of highly dynamic processes is often hindered. This article provides an overview of the current state of the art in fast process tomography and its potential for use in industry.

Towards Tomography-Based Real-Time Control of Multiphase Flows: A Proof of Concept in Inline Fluid Separation

“…From the tomography side, the main challenge comes from the obtainment of tomographic data, which is performed in two steps: data acquisition and image reconstruction. The data acquisition can be performed at relatively high frequencies [33]; however, the image reconstruction is typically computational demanding and, therefore, slow [34].…”

Monitoring and Visualization of Crystallization Processes Using Electrical Resistance Tomography: CaCO3 and Sucrose Crystallization Case Studies

“…Among the PAT tools, tomographic sensors have the potential to provide information using reconstructed images [18]. In particular, Electrical Resistance Tomography (ERT) is an inexpensive, fast, and non-destructive modality for evaluating the crystallization processes.…”

Monitoring and Visualization of Crystallization Processes Using Electrical Resistance Tomography: CaCO3 and Sucrose Crystallization Case Studies

“…Crystallization measurement tools such as IS and FBRM can obtain useful one-dimensional (1-D) and point-based information from the process. Alternatively, tomographic sensors have the potential to provide multi-dimensional data using reconstructed images [19]. Fast tomographic imaging techniques have important applications in industrial process control [19].…”

“…Alternatively, tomographic sensors have the potential to provide multi-dimensional data using reconstructed images [19]. Fast tomographic imaging techniques have important applications in industrial process control [19]. Tomographic techniques using hard field imaging and soft field imaging have been studied for crystallization monitoring.…”

“…The software development and experimental work were performed within the framework of the European Union Horizon 2020 TOMOCON project (smart tomographic sensors for advanced industrial process control) [19,29]. The primary focus of the project was to study fast tomographic methods and create a multi-sensor network to monitor, visualize and implement control for batch crystallization processes [29].…”