Design, Modelling, and Experimental Validation of a Glass U-Tube Mass Sensing Cantilever for Particulate Direct-on-Line Emissions Measurement

The requirement to monitor and control industrial processes has increased over recent years, therefore innovative techniques are required to meet the demand for alternative methods of particulate measurement. Resonant mass sensors are now strong candidates for accurate mass measurement and are frequ...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Daniel Nicklin, Hamidreza Gohari Darabkhani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-05-01
Series:Atmosphere
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/14/6/915
_version_ 1797596201843949568
author Daniel Nicklin
Hamidreza Gohari Darabkhani
author_facet Daniel Nicklin
Hamidreza Gohari Darabkhani
author_sort Daniel Nicklin
collection DOAJ
description The requirement to monitor and control industrial processes has increased over recent years, therefore innovative techniques are required to meet the demand for alternative methods of particulate measurement. Resonant mass sensors are now strong candidates for accurate mass measurement and are frequently used in many diverse fields of science and engineering. This paper presents the design, modelling, and optimal geometry selection for sensitivity improvement of a U-shaped glass tube as a resonant mass sensing cantilever with a view to becoming a component of particulate measurement equipment. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was used to develop the system which was validated experimentally using a physical model. This paper focuses on both the proof of concept and the geometry selection of the sensor using analysis of the system sensitivity for best selection. Modal and harmonic analysis were undertaken across a range of commercially available glass tube sizes from 6 mm to 10 mm diameter, to determine the optimal geometry selection, validated with practical experimental data. Results show a consistent difference of 3–5% between the simulation and experimental results, showing strong correlation. This research provides a methodology on the development of using a U-shaped glass tube for accurate mass measurement with a view to exploring the design as a component of particulate emissions equipment. The experimental and simulation results confirm that the highest sensitivity is achieved when the geometry dimensions, and therefore the vacant mass of the tube, is reduced. The 6 mm diameter tube with the smallest bend radius was the most suitable design to meet the design criteria. The calibration curve was plotted to allow an unknown mass to be calculated, which gave an R<sup>2</sup> value of 0.9984. All experimental work was repeated three times with results giving an average of 0.44% between the minimum and maximum showing strong linearity and suggesting the potential for implementation of the methodology in its intended application. The design provides possible solutions to some of the issues currently seen with particulate measurement from stationary sources.
first_indexed 2024-03-11T02:48:14Z
format Article
id doaj.art-eba98a74e3f34cfaa041b05fc3accd7d
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2073-4433
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-11T02:48:14Z
publishDate 2023-05-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Atmosphere
spelling doaj.art-eba98a74e3f34cfaa041b05fc3accd7d2023-11-18T09:13:41ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332023-05-0114691510.3390/atmos14060915Design, Modelling, and Experimental Validation of a Glass U-Tube Mass Sensing Cantilever for Particulate Direct-on-Line Emissions MeasurementDaniel Nicklin0Hamidreza Gohari Darabkhani1Department of Engineering, School of Digital, Technologies and Arts (DTA), Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2DE, UKDepartment of Engineering, School of Digital, Technologies and Arts (DTA), Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2DE, UKThe requirement to monitor and control industrial processes has increased over recent years, therefore innovative techniques are required to meet the demand for alternative methods of particulate measurement. Resonant mass sensors are now strong candidates for accurate mass measurement and are frequently used in many diverse fields of science and engineering. This paper presents the design, modelling, and optimal geometry selection for sensitivity improvement of a U-shaped glass tube as a resonant mass sensing cantilever with a view to becoming a component of particulate measurement equipment. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was used to develop the system which was validated experimentally using a physical model. This paper focuses on both the proof of concept and the geometry selection of the sensor using analysis of the system sensitivity for best selection. Modal and harmonic analysis were undertaken across a range of commercially available glass tube sizes from 6 mm to 10 mm diameter, to determine the optimal geometry selection, validated with practical experimental data. Results show a consistent difference of 3–5% between the simulation and experimental results, showing strong correlation. This research provides a methodology on the development of using a U-shaped glass tube for accurate mass measurement with a view to exploring the design as a component of particulate emissions equipment. The experimental and simulation results confirm that the highest sensitivity is achieved when the geometry dimensions, and therefore the vacant mass of the tube, is reduced. The 6 mm diameter tube with the smallest bend radius was the most suitable design to meet the design criteria. The calibration curve was plotted to allow an unknown mass to be calculated, which gave an R<sup>2</sup> value of 0.9984. All experimental work was repeated three times with results giving an average of 0.44% between the minimum and maximum showing strong linearity and suggesting the potential for implementation of the methodology in its intended application. The design provides possible solutions to some of the issues currently seen with particulate measurement from stationary sources.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/14/6/915particulate sensormass sensing cantileverparticulate mass concentrationparticulate measurementemissions measurementparticulate emissions
spellingShingle Daniel Nicklin
Hamidreza Gohari Darabkhani
Design, Modelling, and Experimental Validation of a Glass U-Tube Mass Sensing Cantilever for Particulate Direct-on-Line Emissions Measurement
Atmosphere
particulate sensor
mass sensing cantilever
particulate mass concentration
particulate measurement
emissions measurement
particulate emissions
title Design, Modelling, and Experimental Validation of a Glass U-Tube Mass Sensing Cantilever for Particulate Direct-on-Line Emissions Measurement
title_full Design, Modelling, and Experimental Validation of a Glass U-Tube Mass Sensing Cantilever for Particulate Direct-on-Line Emissions Measurement
title_fullStr Design, Modelling, and Experimental Validation of a Glass U-Tube Mass Sensing Cantilever for Particulate Direct-on-Line Emissions Measurement
title_full_unstemmed Design, Modelling, and Experimental Validation of a Glass U-Tube Mass Sensing Cantilever for Particulate Direct-on-Line Emissions Measurement
title_short Design, Modelling, and Experimental Validation of a Glass U-Tube Mass Sensing Cantilever for Particulate Direct-on-Line Emissions Measurement
title_sort design modelling and experimental validation of a glass u tube mass sensing cantilever for particulate direct on line emissions measurement
topic particulate sensor
mass sensing cantilever
particulate mass concentration
particulate measurement
emissions measurement
particulate emissions
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/14/6/915
work_keys_str_mv AT danielnicklin designmodellingandexperimentalvalidationofaglassutubemasssensingcantileverforparticulatedirectonlineemissionsmeasurement
AT hamidrezagoharidarabkhani designmodellingandexperimentalvalidationofaglassutubemasssensingcantileverforparticulatedirectonlineemissionsmeasurement