Application: Separation
Applications:
- Filtration/Hydrocyclones/Packed Beds
- Research/Process Monitoring
- Separation Process
- Research/Process Monitoring and Development
Benefits include:
- Shorten Cycle times by measuring process and points
- Increase yield by measuring phase concentration and boundaries
- Develop new techniques
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This shows the conductivity distribution through the filter cake of an industrial pressure filter as it dries over time. It can be seen that the cake dries preferentially in the centre as the image becomes blue indicating low conductivity.
How Tomography can help
Tomography has been used in a variety of separation processes to identify the changing concentration of two phases as a function of space and time.
Hydrocyclones
In the case of hydrocyclones, the air core of the cyclone has been identified and its diameter measured within a few millimeters. This correlates closely with the performance of the unit and the wear of the spigot.
Air core size measurement - accuracy to below 1%
Pressure Filtration
In the case of pressure filtration, a tomographic sensor has been used to observe the drying cycle with the objective of reducing time and improving the quality of the process.
Pressure filter schematic
Pressure filter drying curve
Packed column
The flow profile of a brine pulse through packed columns such as those used in chromatography can be measured as a mean of evaluating packing and the effectiveness of distributors.
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The example above shows the tomographic images when a high conductivity tracer was added to the inlet feed of a radial flow reactor. This and similar experiments were used to determine the flow and velocity distribution within the reactor.
ITS has developed a probe for detecting interfaces, in particular liquid / foam and slurry / liquid interfaces. The probe is able to detect the rate at which solids settle and position of the boundary.
Interface detection from settling sludge simulate preparation
