Bidirectional Interferometric Flowmeter With Linear Sensitivity and Large Dynamic Range
- Resource Type
- Periodical
- Authors
- Arumuru, V.; Kodam, A.; Jha, R.
- Source
- IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement IEEE Trans. Instrum. Meas. Instrumentation and Measurement, IEEE Transactions on. 70:1-6 2021
- Subject
- Power, Energy and Industry Applications
Components, Circuits, Devices and Systems
Flowmeters
Optical fiber sensors
Optical interferometry
Fluid flow measurement
Bidirectional control
Thermal sensors
Bidirectional flowmeter
modal interferometer
optical fiber sensors
vortex flow meter
- Language
- ISSN
- 0018-9456
1557-9662
We propose a bidirectional flowmeter based on specialty fiber interferometry by controlled mode excitation for measuring the frequency of the vortices induced by a bluff body. The proposed arrangement of the cylindrical bluff body with a slit and the interferometric system based on modal excitation allows the bidirectional flowmeter to determine the flow velocities in either direction precisely and effectively. We have encapsulated the specialty fiber interferometer in a protective metal casing, which not only allows the interferometer to respond to the vortex frequency but also provides mechanical stability to the whole flowmeter so at to operate in a harsh environment. Experiments are conducted by introducing the modal interferometer in the slit of the cylindrical bluff body at various flow rates ranging from Reynolds number (Re) = 7200 to 56 600. A linear response is observed between the flow velocity and the vortex frequency from both directions. Thus, this work provides a reconfigurable bidirectional flowmeter, which is sensitive even at low flow rates and demonstrates a large operating range.