Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flow-rate measuring method, for a flow medium (M), in which defects of a ultrasonic measuring method is removed, and to provide a flowmeter. SOLUTION: A photoacoustic effect is used to measure the flow rate of the flow medium (M), especially a natural gas. A light emitter (1) is used to generate sound waves (S) detected by a sound detector (2), inside the flow medium (M). The light emitter (1) is not exposed to the flow medium (M) so much, as compared with a diaphragm which is used in the ultrasonic measuring method.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a sensor (1) for measuring density profile using gamma rays (5), which is particularly suitable for measuring the level in oil separator tanks. The known measuring principle involves conducting locally resolved measurement of a density-dependent gamma ray transmission of a medium (6a, 6b, 6c) by a vertical linear array (13) of photomultipliers( 7) and using said measurement to determine the location of an oil/water (6c) boundary layer. According to the invention, the gamma ray density sensor (1) is equipped with PIN photodiodes (10) instead of photomultipliers (7). Means for passive cooling for said photodiodes (10) are also provided. This considerably simplifies the structure, operation and maintenance of the sensor and improves local resolution and service life of the sensor (1). Passive cooling can be easily realized by building a thermal bridge (12) between the warm photodiodes (10) and the cool ambient medium or the cool wall (14) of the separator tank. Usability of the sensor (1) under difficult operating conditions and in non-easily accessible locations is generally improved.