Machines (Dec 2021)

Water Content Monitoring in Water-in-Oil Emulsions Using a Piezoceramic Sensor

  • Carlos A. B. Reyna,
  • Ediguer E. Franco,
  • Alberto L. Durán,
  • Luiz O. V. Pereira,
  • Marcos S. G. Tsuzuki,
  • Flávio Buiochi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/machines9120335
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 12
p. 335

Abstract

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This work deals with a transmission-reception ultrasonic technique for the real-time estimation of the water content in water-in-crude oil emulsions. The working principle is the measurement of the propagation velocity, using two in-house manufactured transducers designed for water coupling, with a central frequency of about 3 MHz. Water-in-crude oil emulsions with a water volume concentration from 0% to 40% were generated by mechanical emulsification. Tests were carried out at three temperatures. The results showed that the propagation velocity is a sensitive parameter that is able to determine the water content, allowing for differentiating the concentrations of up to 40% of water. The main motivation is the development of techniques for non-invasive and real-time monitoring of the water content of emulsions in petrochemical processes.

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