Gas Ultrasonic Flow Metering

This project will consider all aspects of the measurement system design and implementation: from ultrasonic transducer design; placement of the transducers within the measurement system; ultrasonic signal fidelity; signal processing; and integration of additional environmental sensor data.

At the outset, the key project work packages are expected to be as follows. Although, it is important to note that there will be opportunities for the research to explore other areas of interest, for example using AI/ML to enhance the measurement accuracy with a maximum error of 1%. The project will have three major research themes:

1. Transducer design

The transducer specification has been extended to operate at temperatures between -50C and +250C, with an initial goal to improve on the current 85C specification and reach 120C, and over a pressure range of ambient to 500bar.

The use of finite element modelling will enable the researcher to understand the limitations of the current system configuration and explore new transduction designs. This will be achieved within certain design specification limitations in terms of operating frequency and transducer dimensions. 2. System implementation

Transducer fabrication and characterisation will be critical and provide feedback into the Transducer Design process. Identification of additional sensor modalities to enhance system performance Sensor integration into prototype holder Test within laboratory environment 3. Data Management Explore signal excitation options

Optimise signal fidelity Explore signal processing opportunities, including data fusion from all sensor outputs Full system testing regime

Overall, this project will provide the researcher with a broad systems engineering experience in sensor design, materials science, mechanical and electrical design considerations and signal processing, for a practical industrial application. Importantly, there will be opportunities for the researcher to bring fresh ideas, while remaining within the design specification.