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Objective
NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is offering opportunities for its new fiber optic mass flow sensor system.
Description
The new fiber optic mass flow sensor system is capable of measuring multi-phase flows in a pipe. The technology is minimally invasive, cost effective, retrofittable, and compact. MSFCs new technology combines high accuracy, intrinsically safe operation, and low-cost flow sensing for virtually any optically transparent medium, providing a superior product for measuring multi-phase flows.
Benefits
Provides "void fraction" and "quality" values through real-time flow rate measurement Has no moving parts Keeps all sensor components external to flow path and insensitive to pipe material Is safe from electromagnetic interference and poses no radiation hazard Retrofits to existing piping systems from 0.5" to 12" in diameter Accommodates various flow schemes found within pipes including bubbles Is a potentially inexpensive sensor design
Current Capabilities
The technology was originally developed to accurately determine the flow rates and tank levels of multi-phase cryogenic fuels used on various NASA vehiclesincluding the Space Shuttleand in ground-based propulsion testing. It can also be used for a wide range of gas/liquid ratios, flows with complex cross sectional profiles, flows containing bubbles or quasi-solids, and essentially any liquid, gas, or multi-phase flow that can be optically characterized. Because it is insensitive to position, the new technology also has potential for use in zero-gravity tank level sensors.
Technical Basics
Unlike commercial turbine and Venturi-type sensors, which are flow intrusive and prone to high error rates, NASAs new flow sensor technology uses an optical technique to precisely measure the physical characteristics of a liquid flowing within a pipe. It generates a reading of the flows density, which provides a highly accurate mass flow measurement when combined with flow velocity data from a second optical sensor. NASAs sensor technology provides both a "void fraction" measurement which is a measurement of the instantaneous gas/liquid percentage of a static volumeand a "quality" measurementwhich is the fraction of flow that is vapor as part of a total mass flow. It also provides a direct measurement of the gas/liquid concentration within the flow, making it suited for real-timemeasurement of multi-phase flows.
Potential Application(s)
Cryogenic liquid and fuel flow, handling, and storage measurements Oil and gas industry multi-phase flows Industrial, automotive, and aerospace multi-phase flows Powder spray coatings Food processing Chemical processing, handling, and storage Zero-gravity liquid tank level sensors
Technology Commercialization Status
This technology is part of NASAs technology transfer program, which seeks to stimulate commercial use of NASA-developed technologies. NASA is seeking companies to license this technology, as well as partners for joint development for specific industry applications.
Contact
If your company is interested in this technology please contact:
John Wiley
NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center
Phone: (256) 544-1179
FAX: (256) 544-8994
E-mail: john.wiley@nasa.gov
Sammy Nabors
NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center
Phone: (256) 544-5226
FAX: (256) 544-3151
E-mail: sammy.a.nabors@nasa.gov
Public Release Date: 10/29/2007
Reference Number: TOP8-91
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