Design of a moisture independent microwave mass flow detector for particulate solids

Simulations on a novel moisture independent mass flow detector based on a mass flow sensor with open an cylindrical resonator where carried out. The massflow sensor consists of two MircroStrip Patch couplers integrated in a Composite Right-/Lefthanded Transmission line resonator. The design of a particulate mass flow detector based on this sensor is given and the algorithm to detect the average solids concentration is shown. The simultaneous detection of the velocity and the moisture independent solids/air concentration from a single measurement, ensures a true mass flow detector. Since it was already shown formerly, both sensor principles are able to measure the moisture dependent massflow rate with high precision, we expect for the combination of both principles a detection accuracy in the range of both single sensor principles. Measurements of natural substance granulate with different amounts of moisture up to 18% (vol.) were done in order to proof the concept. The novel detector design is promising for industrial applications with various scenarios of gas/solids, gas/liquid and liquid/solids flows.