A measurement method of ice layer thickness based on resistance-capacitance circuit for closed loop external melt ice storage tank

The measurement of the ice layer thickness in closed loop external melt ice storage tank not only affects the optimal operation of the ice storage system but also directly determines the safety of the system. The traditional methods could not satisfy the needs of rapidity and accuracy very well. A measurement method to quickly and accurately predict the thickness of ice layer is presented in this paper. Based on the differences of permittivity and resistivity between ice and water, the frequency response principle of resistance–capacitance circuit is applied to develop a measuring unit of ice layer thickness. The interpolation method is used in the transducer to increase the precision of this device. Experimental and analytic results show that the sensor is accurate enough for industrial application and has remarkable rapidity and stability in measuring the ice thickness on the plate or ice on the coil, which can be used to calculate the ice packing factor (IPF) of the ice storage system.