Monitoring separation process in separator tanks by ultrasound technique

The focus of this project is to monitor the level of interfaces inside the separation tank during the refining of crude oil by using ultrasound technology. The primary objective is to develop a robust method to measure liquid separation levels in both horizontal and vertical tanks by analyzing the amplitude of ultrasound pulses. The remarkable innovation of this method is the exclusion of the time-of-flight data in the monitoring process. To estimate the liquid level, the traditional method has been to measure the time of flight of ultrasound pulses. However, this project presents a novel approach that solely relies on the analysis of the amplitude of the ultrasound pulses. By studying the maximum amplitude matrix taken from the measurements, one can accurately distinguish the liquids inside the tank and the material type in it. This creative method has some great advantages when the flight time is excluded. By eliminating time measurements and focusing on amplitude, the process of monitoring is made simpler. In addition, it minimizes potential errors that might be caused by changes in the liquid properties or outside influences that can influence the time-of-flight readings. An amplitude-based approach provides a real-time, non-invasive solution to monitor liquid levels in the separation tank during refining. By focusing on the amplitude of the ultrasound pulses, this research contributes to developing a more efficient monitoring system. This project introduces a novel and inventive method for tracking the level of interfaces in the separation tank through ultrasound technology. By exclusively analyzing the amplitude of the ultrasound pulses, this method eliminates the reliance on time-of-flight data, simplifies the monitoring process, and improves accuracy in liquid level measurements. This method is registered as a patent in Brazil.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor

University of Ontario Institute of Technology / University of São Paulo

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Tanabi, Naser

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Barari, Ahmad

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10155/1945

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ontariotechu.scholaris.ca:10155/1945