In development of coal-based energy systems, there is an acute need for instrumentation capable of measuring flow rates of solids and gas in gas-solid suspensions under high temperature (up to 1700 F) and high pressure (up to 100 atm) conditions. Several instrumentation concepts have been or are currently under study (i.e., sonic Doppler meters, correlation meters, capacitive transducers, Coriolis-effect meters, and laser-based devices). Many show some promise, although they are quite complex, and others require considerably more development or will be restricted to use only in limited flow conditions. This proposal represents a plan for investigation and development of an innovative gas-solids flow meter currently under development at Energy International, Inc. in cooperation with Washington State University. Preliminary technical and system studies conducted have shown that extending the throat of a typical venturimeter will improve the sensitivity of the device. Further experiments and analysis have shown that the extended throat venturimeter will be capable of measuring flow rates for both the solids and gas phases without requiring particle size information.The potential commercial application as described by the awardee: The research should result in development of a practical, simple, rugged, and reliable multiphase flow meter capable of measuring flow rates for gas and solid phases in a high temperature/high pressure gas stream in the absence of particle size information. Such a flow meter is urgently needed to proceed with coal conversion systems and the process control loop of such facilities.
