X-ray tomographic imaging in industrial process control

Optimisation is essential in modern industrial and chemical process industr ies to increase efficiency and decrease downtime and maintenance costs. X-r ay tomography is being developed to address these issues both on the micros copic level to characterise and quantify unit cell parameters and the macro scopic level for real time measurement of multiphase flow. The behaviour of macroscopic flow can be predicted using finite element simulations. Three- dimensional X-ray micro-tomography with 100 micron resolution has been deve loped and could be used to determine, for example volume fractions, contact surface area and particle size distribution and used as basic data for mod elling of macroscopic systems. Additionally, a high speed X-ray tomography instrument is being developed to measure on-line multiphase flow in fast mo ving systems. This system does not require moving parts and is expected to operate at up to 50 frames per second. In addition to a practical implement ation of this system in an industrial environment it can also be used as a cross-validation of the macroscopic models. Details of each system will be described and the suitability of the applications discussed. (C) 2001 Elsev ier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.