Researchers at Fraunhofer IPM have developed a groundbreaking contactless flow measurement method based on magnetic fields. This innovative approach has unveiled the profound impact of flow profiles on magnetic signals, paving the way for enhanced flow measurement techniques across various industries.
Transforming Flow Measurements
One area in the manufacturing world that is pivotal is to represent and control processes that involve flowing liquids. On the other hand, efficient and reliable performance of these operations requires correct estimates of flow rates.
With a magnetic field-based flow measurement technique developed at Fraunhofer IPM, this significant obstacle may seem minimal. Because of this touchless solution, we do not come into contact with the liquid, and the flow data is taken very diligently.
The first part of the process is to magnetically polarize the liquid medium using a permanent magnet. A high-frequency impulse is used to then reverse this polarity, creating local magnetic marks in the fluid. Single markers are detected by ultra-sensitive quantum sensors through the pipe wall once the fluid has passed a specific section. This method is used to find the flow rate of a fluid by magnetizable fluid.
How Important Flow Profiles Are
Scientists at Fraunhofer IPM have found that the strength of the magnetic markers in this metrological principle is highly dependent on a flow profile.
A simulated model of the flow dynamics allows the simulation of the effective flip angle distribution and magnetization in time using only measured external parameters. They concluded that higher inhomogeneity in the flow velocity across the diameter of the pipework would steepen the flip angle distribution, thus reducing the strength of the magnetic signal.
This increased appreciation of the link between flow profiles and magnetic signals has allowed new directions for optimizing measurements. With this data of flow profiles influencing the technique, researchers now can re-adjust the use of the technique to acquire flow information even more accurately and reliably.
Conclusion
Scientists from Fraunhofer IPM have now succeeded in developing a contactless method for measuring flow lines down to 100 nanometers, sounding like magic that finally brings the field of fluid dynamics to the quantum level. Through their work on identifying how flow profiles affect magnetic signals, they have created a path for the development of improved, less time-consuming methods.
This has profound implications in several industries, where accurate flow measurement and control are critical to improve manufacturing processes, deliver better product quality, and ensure a more efficient operation. The approach is versatile and noninvasive, which will make it useful in many applications and open up a new frontier for flow measurements.
