A new multifunctional sensor for measuring oil/water two-phase state in pipelines

This paper presents a non-contact U form multi-functional sensor for the oil pipeline flow measurement. Totally four thin and narrow copper plates are twined on both sides of the sensor, from which two variables (capacitance, self inductance) are to be examined as the two functional outputs of the sensor. Thus, the liquid concentration (oil and water), temperature are finally evaluated. The flow velocity inside the pipeline could also be estimated by computing the cross correlation of the response of the a proper capacitance-pair. To restrain the effects of parasitic parameters and improve the dynamic response of the sensor, a proper shielding strategy is considered. A suitable algorithm for data reconstruction is also presented in the system design.