Towards Tomography-Based Real-Time Control of Multiphase Flows

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

Martinez Garcia, M. (TU Delft ChemE/Transport Phenomena)
Sattar, M.A. (Lodz University of Technology)
Atmani, Hanane (Université de Toulouse)
Legendre, Dominique (Université de Toulouse)
Babout, Laurent (Lodz University of Technology)
Schleicher, Eckhard (Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden Rossendorf)
Hampel, Uwe (Technische Universität Dresden; Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden Rossendorf)
Portela, L. (TU Delft ChemE/Transport Phenomena)

2022

The performance of multiphase flow processes is often determined by the distribution of phases inside the equipment. However, controllers in the field are typically implemented based on flow variables, which are simpler to measure, but indirectly connected to performance (e.g., pressure). Tomography has been used in the study of the distribution of phases of multiphase flows for decades, but only recently, the temporal resolution of the technique was sufficient for real-time reconstructions of the flow. Due to the strong connection between the performance and distribution of phases, it is expected that the introduction of tomography to the real-time control of multiphase flows will lead to substantial improvements in the system performance in relation to the current controllers in the field. This paper uses a gas–liquid inline swirl separator to analyze the possibilities and limitations of tomography-based real-time control of multiphase flow processes. Experiments were performed in the separator using a wire-mesh sensor (WMS) and a high-speed camera to show that multiphase flows have two components in their dynamics: one intrinsic to its nonlinear physics, occurring independent of external process disturbances, and one due to process disturbances (e.g., changes in the flow rates of the installation). Moreover, it is shown that the intrinsic dynamics propagate from upstream to inside the separator and can be used in predictive and feedforward control strategies. In addition to the WMS experiments, a proportional–integral feedback controller based on electrical resistance tomography (ERT) was implemented in the separator, with successful results in relation to the control of the distribution of phases and impact on the performance of the process: the capture of gas was increased from 76% to 93% of the total gas with the tomography-based controller. The results obtained with the inline swirl separator are extended in the perspective of the tomography-based control of quasi-1D multiphase flows.

electrical resistance tomography
gas– liquid swirl flow
hydrocyclone
inline fluid separator
multiphase flows
real-time control
swirl separator
tomography-based control

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:deb3e5a0-8d81-40aa-a72d-fce3a7c3988e

https://doi.org/10.3390/s22124443

1424-8220

Sensors, 22 (12)

Institutional Repository

journal article

© 2022 M. Martinez Garcia, M.A. Sattar, Hanane Atmani, Dominique Legendre, Laurent Babout, Eckhard Schleicher, Uwe Hampel, L. Portela