Interface Detectors
Mesa Laboratories, Nusonics Division has a long history in the design and marketing of ultrasonic-based measurement instruments for industrial applications. These instruments are all based on the principle that the velocity of sound through a liquid medium can be used to determine certain physical and chemical characteristics. All of the Nusonics instruments consist of a transducer assembly that is used to produce and detect the ultrasonic pulse and a transmitter that provides the associated electronics and communication capability. The primary applications of the Nusonics ultrasonic technology are:
- Flowmeters - Measurement of liquid flow for water, food and chemical processes
- Sonic Concentration Monitors - Measurement of the chemical composition of a liquid
- Pipeline Interface Detectors - Determination of the interface between two different products being transported through a petroleum pipeline
If you are in the petroleum transportation business, it is critical to determine the interface between two dissimilar products being pumped sequentially through a pipeline. Accurate determination of this "interface" can minimize cross-product contamination and maximize valve switching efficiency, saving your company large sums of money. Nusonics has been providing pipeline interface detectors (PID) based on ultrasound technology to the petroleum industry for over 30 years. All of the Nusonics products are highly accurate and extremely rugged, providing years of reliable service.
Model 86 PID
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The Mesa Laboratories, Inc. Nusonics Model 86 Pipeline Interface Detector (PID) is a third generation instrument that incorporates all the features and advantages made possible through years of experience in pipeline instrumentation. The Model 86 PID includes the proven reliability of Nusonics electro-acoustic transducer technology to give the ultimate in performance to meet exacting specifications for interface detection.
The Nusonics Model 86 PID determines liquid composition by measuring sound velocity, which is unique and repeatable for a liquid. The relation- ship between sound velocity, temperature and pressure is different for every liquid. Once this relationship is known for a liquid, sound velocity can be used to monitor changes in liquid composition and interfaces between liquids in a pipeline with greater precision than with other measuring instruments. The Model 86 PID can detect small changes in liquid composition and interfaces between liquids that could otherwise be missed.