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Velocity measurement of pneumatically conveyed particles using intrusive electrostatic sensors

Electrostatic sensors can be used to measure the flow velocity of particles in pneumatic pipelines, using the signal induced by the particles onto sensor electrodes. This paper compares electrostatic sensors using both intrusive and non-intrusive electrodes, including the effect of electrode shape on the induced signal. It is shown, both theoretically and through practical tests on a 4MW combustion test rig, that both intrusive and non-intrusive sensors give consistent velocity measurement, but that the measurement is affected by electrode intrusion depth and the velocity profile within the pipeline. The optimum intrusion depth for a particle flow following a power law velocity profile is derived.