Ultrasonic measurement of suspended sediment concentrations: an experimental validation of the approach using kaolin suspensions and reservoir sediments under variable thermal conditions

Abstract

Abstract:Multiphase suspension systems are used extensively in hydrology, biochemistry, and the food industry. Ultrasonic spectroscopy is a rapid, on-line, non-invasive measurement technique for suspension characterization over different particle sizes and a wide range of concentration. Although the properties of kaolin suspensions have been investigated extensively, kaolin ultrasonic attenuation properties at different temperatures and concentrations have not yet been reported. Through experimental validation in the laboratory, this study provides results from a series of measurements of kaolin ultrasonic attenuation over a wide range of concentrations (0-300 000 ppm) and practical temperatures (5-25°C). The ultrasonic measurement of attenuation of sediment sampled from the Shihmen reservoir in Taiwan is also investigated. Results show that variations in ultrasonic attenuation are driven by concentration and temperature. Two regression functions are established to quantitatively relate attenuation to kaolin concentration and the Shihmen reservoir sample at a given temperature. An ultrasonic system is designed and manufactured for real-time sediment concentration monitoring in the Shihmen reservoir based on these experimental ultrasonic attenuation measurements.

Acoustic Backscatter and Attenuation Due to River Fine Sediments: Experimental Evaluation of Models and Inversion Methods

“…Figure 5a shows the relations between SSC and in the tank at various frequencies. As predicted by the theory when multiple scattering can be neglected and as observed in numerous other studies (e.g., Hay, 1991; Hunter et al., 2012; Moore et al., 2012; Sung et al., 2008; Rice et al., 2014; Urick, 1948, among others), there is a good linear relation between sound attenuation and sediment concentration (cf. Table 2).…”

Acoustic backscatter and attenuation due to river fine sediments: experimental evaluation of models and inversion methods

“…Figure 5a shows the relations between SSC and s  in the tank at various frequencies. As predicted by the theory when multiple scattering can be neglected and as observed in numerous other studies (e.g., Hay, 1991;Hunter et al, 2012;Moore et al, 2012;Sung et al, 2008;Rice et al, 2014;Urick, 1948, among others), there is a good linear relation between sound attenuation and sediment concentration (cf. Linear relations between v s and SSC are not as good however (Figure 5b, Table 2).…”

Measuring particle concentration in multiphase pipe flow using acoustic backscatter: Generalization of the dual-frequency inversion method

“…Attenuation due to particles has generally been found to vary linearly with concentration at relatively low concentrations with a variety of particle types and fluids (Hay, 1983(Hay, , 1991Hunter et al, 2012a;Richards et al, 1996;Stakutis et al, 1955). In early experiments, Urick (1948) observed a similar linear dependence, as did Greenwood et al (1993) and Sung et al (2008) using kaolin-water suspensions. Greenwood et al concluded that scattering was insignificant in their experiments, since k ) a, and found that attenuation was directly proportional to volume fraction if "there is no interaction between particles."…”