Validation of electrical-impedance tomography for measurements of materialdistribution in two-phase flows

A series of studies is presented in which an electrical-impedance tomograph y (EIT) system is validated for two-phase flow measurements. The EIT system , developed at Sandia National Laboratories, is described along with the co mputer algorithm used for reconstructing phase volume fraction profiles. Th e algorithm is first tested using numerical data and experimental phantom m easurements, with good results. The EIT system is then applied to solid-liq uid and gas-liquid flows, and radial phase volume fraction profiles within a circular cross-section are determined. These profiles are compared to res ults from an established gamma-densitometry tomography (GDT) system. In the solid-liquid flows, the average solid volume fractions measured by EIT are in good agreement with nominal values. In the gas-liquid flows, average ga s volume fractions and radial gas volume fraction profiles from GDT and EIT are also in good agreement. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.