Optimizing Invasive ECT Sensor Dimensions for Conducting Pipe: A Simulation Study

Authors

  • Ain Eazriena Che Man Faculty of Electrical & Electronics Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, 26600 Pekan, Pahang, Malaysia
  • Yasmin Abdul Wahab Faculty of Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technology (FTKEE) Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, 26600 Pekan, Pahang http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2652-8623
  • Nurhafizah Abu Talip Yusof Faculty of Electrical & Electronics Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, 26600 Pekan, Pahang, Malaysia
  • Suzanna Ridzuan Aw Faculty of Engineering Technology (Electrical & Automation) University College TATI, 24000, Jalan Panchor, Telok Kalong, 24000 Kemaman, Terengganu, Malaysia
  • Mohd Mawardi Saari Faculty of Electrical & Electronics Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, 26600 Pekan, Pahang, Malaysia
  • Ruzairi Abdul Rahim Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat,Johor, Malaysia
  • Sia Yee Yu LOGO Solution Sdn. Bhd., suite 0525, Level 5, Wisma SP Setia, Jalan Indah 15, Bukit Indah, 79100 Iskandar Puteri Johor Malaysia

Keywords:

Conducting pipe, Dielectric, ECT, Invasive, Tomography

Abstract

This simulation study aims to optimize the dimensions of an invasive Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT) sensor for conducting pipe applications. Conventional non-invasive ECT techniques are ineffective for conducting pipes, as they cannot penetrate the pipe wall. This study explores the use of an invasive ECT system to identify homogeneous and non-homogeneous dielectric media within conducting pipes. A simulation model is developed using the finite element method (FEM) and the Linear Back Projection (LBP) algorithm for image reconstruction, further enhanced by a global threshold method. Various sensor dimensions are tested in a 150 mm length steel pipe, with a sinusoidal waveform source of 25 Vpp and a frequency of 400 kHz applied to the model in both homogeneous and non-homogeneous dielectric media conditions. The simulation results reveal that the sensitivity and resolution of the invasive ECT system are significantly influenced by the sensor dimensions. Optimal sensor dimensions indicate that longer and wider sensors, covering approximately 80% of the sensor coverage area and 60% of the pipe length, provide higher electrical voltage and better resolution. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into optimizing invasive ECT sensor dimensions for observing dielectric media inside conducting pipes, significantly improving the accuracy and reliability of industrial process monitoring in both homogeneous and non-homogeneous media.

Author Biography

Yasmin Abdul Wahab, Faculty of Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technology (FTKEE) Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, 26600 Pekan, Pahang

Yasmin Abdul Wahab received a B. Eng. (Hons) degree in Electrical Engineering (Control and Instrumentation), M. Eng. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Johor, Malaysia, in 2008, 2010, and 2017, respectively. In 2010, she joined Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah previously known as Univeristi Malaysia Pahang, Pahang, Malaysia, as a teaching staff member and, at present becomes as seniour lecturer. Her research interests include process tomography, electrical tomography, sensor technology and instrumentation, and applied electronics and computer engineering.

References

[1] W. Deabes and K. E. Bouazza, Efficient image reconstruction algorithm for ECT system using local ensemble transform kalman filter, IEEE Access, 9, 2021, 12779–12790.

[2] H. Wang and W. Yang, Application of electrical capacitance tomography in pharmaceutical fluidised beds – A review, Chemical Engineering Science, 231, 2020, 116236.

[3] Z. Ji, J. Liu, H. Tian and W. Zhang, ECT sensor simulation and fuzzy optimization design based on multi index orthogonal experiment, IEEE Access, 8, 2020, 190039–190048.

[4] B. Liu, C. Tang, K. Tang and H. Hu, A Water fraction measurement method using heuristic-Algorithm-based electrical capacitance tomography images post-processing technology, IEEE Access, 8(1), 2020, 206418–206426.

[5] H. Guo, S. Liu, H. Cheng, S. Sun, J. Ding and H. Guo, Iterative computational imaging method for flow pattern reconstruction based on electrical capacitance tomography, Chemical Engineering Science, 214, 2020, 115432.

[6] Z. Xu, F. Wu, L. Zhu and Y. Li, LSTM model based on multi-feature extractor to detect flow pattern change characteristics and parameter measurement, IEEE Sensors Journal, 21(3), 2021, 3713–3721.

[7] N. A. Zulkiflli, J. Pusppanathan, P. L. Leow, S. M. Din, M. F. Rahmat, Y. K. Wong, F. A. Phang and N. F. A. B. Rahman, Finite element analysis for yeast cells using electrical capacitance tomography, Proceedings of the 2019 IEEE International Conference on Signal and Image Processing Applications, Malaysia, 2019, 346–350.

[8] W. Tian, Electrical Capacitance Tomography with Variable Diameter and Potential Application for Pole Inspection, Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Manchester, 2017.

[9] W. Yang, Design of electrical capacitance tomography sensors, Measurement Science and Technology, 21(4), 2010, 042001.

[10] R. Ramanathan, P. Arulmozhivarman, P. Tatavarti, Optimal design and fabrication steps of electrical capacitance tomography sensors, Instrumentation Science & Technology, 41(3), 2013, 301–310.

[11] L. Peng, C. Mou, D. Yao, B. Zhang and D. Xiao, Determination of the optimal axial length of the electrode in an electrical capacitance tomography sensor, Flow Measurement and Instrumentation, 16(2–3), 2005, 169–175.

[12] K. Huang, S. Meng, Q. Guo, W. Yang, T. Zhang, M. Ye and Z. Liu, Effect of electrode length of an electrical capacitance tomography sensor on gas-solid fluidized bed measurements, Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 58(47), 2019, 21827–21841.

[13] H. S. Hamzah, A. E. Che Man, Y. Abdul Wahab, N. Abu Talip and M. M. Saari, Development of image reconstruction for detecting static oil-gas regimes using invasive electrical capacitance tomography in steel pipe application – an initial study, Jurnal Teknologi, 86(3), 2024, 135–143.

[14] William H. Hayt and John A. Buck, Engineering Electromagnetics, 7th. ed., New York: McGraw Hill, 2006.

[15] R. Abdul Rahim, Electrical Capacitance Tomography; Principles, Techniques and Applications, Penerbit UTM Press, 2011.

[16] B. K. Singh, S. Roy and V. V. Buwa, Bubbling/slugging flow behavior in a cylindrical fluidized bed: ECT measurements and two-fluid simulations, Chemical Engineering Journal, 383, 2019, 123120.

[17] S. K. Mohammed, A. H. Hasan, A. Ibrahim, G. Dimitrakis and B. J. Azzopardi, Dynamics of flow transitions from bubbly to churn flow in high viscosity oils and large diameter columns, International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 120, 2019.

[18] N. Amizan, A. Rahman, R. Abdul, A. Mohd, L. Pei, J. Pusppanathan and E. Johana, A review on electrical capacitance tomography sensordevelopment, Jurnal Teknologi, 3(73), 2015, 35–41.

[19] Y. Abdul Wahab, R. Abdul Rahim, L. Pei Ling, M. H. Fazalul Rahiman, S. Ridzuan Aw, F. R. Mohd Yunus and H. Abdul Rahim, Optimisation of electrode dimensions of ERT for non-invasive measurement applied for static liquid–gas regime identification, Sensors and Actuators, A: Physical, 270, 2018, 50–64.

[20] A. E. Che Man, Y. Abdul Wahab, N. Abu Talip, S. Ridzuan Aw, M. M. Saari, R. Abdul Rahim and S. Y. Yu, Simulation of Frequency Selection for Invasive Approach of Electrical Capacitance Tomography for Conducting Pipe Application Using Oil-Gas Regimes, Proceedings of the 2022 Engineering Technology International Conference, Malaysia, 2022, 63–68.

[21] M. J. Pusppanathan, N. M. N. Ayob, F. R. Yunus, S. Sahlan, K. H. Abas, H. A. Rahim, R. A. Rahim and F. A. Phang, Study on single plane ultrasonic and electrical capacitance sensor for process tomography system, Sensors and Transducers, 150(3), 2013, 40–45.

[22] L. Peng, J. Ye, G. Lu and W. Yang, Evaluation of effect of number of electrodes in ECT sensors on image quality, IEEE Sensors Journal, 12(5), 2012, 1554–1565.

[23] R. Abdul Rahim, Z. C. Tee, M. H. Fazalul Rahiman and J. Pusppanathan, A low cost and high speed electrical capacitance tomography system design, Sensors & Transducers, 114(3), 2010, 83–101.

[24] Z. Wang, A. C. Bovik, H. R. Sheikh and E. P. Simmoncelli, Image Quality Assessment: From Error Visibility to Structural Similarity, IEEE Transactions on Image Processing, 13(4), 2004, 600–612.

Downloads

Published

05-01-2025

How to Cite

Che Man, A. E., Wahab, Y. A., Abu Talip Yusof, N., Ridzuan Aw, S., Saari, M. M., Abdul Rahim, R., & Yu, S. Y. (2025). Optimizing Invasive ECT Sensor Dimensions for Conducting Pipe: A Simulation Study. Applications of Modelling and Simulation, 9, 37–50. Retrieved from https://www.ojs.arqiipubl.com/index.php/AMS_Journal/article/view/753

Issue

Section

Articles

Most read articles by the same author(s)