ERT Linear Sensors

Electrical Resistance Tomography Linear Sensors

ERT sensors comprise of multiple electrodes which must make electrical contact with the fluid within the process volume. The most common geometry is a circular sensor with the electrodes arranged uniformly around the circumference. This approach is suitable for pipeline based sensors for both R&D and industrial applications. Circular sensors can also be fitted to the circumference of process vessels although this tends to be limited to R&D applications. These sensors can be designed to minimise or eliminate any disturbance of the flow through the pipe by making the electrodes non-intrusive.

Linear ERT sensors were developed as a more industrial deployable configuration. The electrode array is mounted on a probe which is typically inserted into a process vessel through a nozzle or port.

Linear Sensors:

Suitable for vessels

Materials:

PVDF
PTFE
Glass lined stainless steel

Electrodes:

Stainless steel
Hastelloy
Platinum

Expertise:

Diameter:                                        20 mm to 100 mm
Temperature:                                  150° Max
Pressure:                                         20 barg Max

Laboratory-scale sensors

These are typically manufactured from 18 mm diameter PTFE rod and the sensing length can be designed to make them suitable for insertion into vessels ranging in volume from approximately 1 to 10 litre. They are compatible with standard glass fittings.

Pilot-scale sensors

There are made from large diameter PTFE rod which can be re-enforced with a metal internal if required. These are deigned specifically for customers’ vessels with appropriate flange arrangement to fir the available nozzle and main pressure integrity of the vessel.

Glass-lined Stainless Steel Sensors

In collaboration with, Pfaudler-Balfour, we have developed a linear ERT sensor integrated onto a glass lined finger baffle for use in glass lined stainless steel vessels which are commonly used in the pharmaceutical sector.