A device for measuring solids flowrate in a circulating fluidized bed

The on-line measurement of solids flowrate is important to numerous industrial processes. This paper considers a variation of impact-type solids flow meters suitable for use in numerous applications, including circulating fluidized beds (CFBs). The solids flowrate meter introduced herein is on-line, capable of operation in high temperature environments, and useful for a broad range of flowrates with good linearity, accuracy and fast response time. The flow meter works by measuring the torque that results on a hinged plate when falling solids impact the plate. A theoretical model of the device is developed and its results are compared to experimental data for the operation with various solids. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.