System and technique for ultrasonic characterization of settling suspensions

Patent · Tue Nov 28 00:00:00 EST 2006

OSTI ID:908038

Greenwood, Margaret S ^[1]; Panetta, Paul D ^[1]; Bamberger, Judith A ^[1]; Pappas, Richard A ^[1]

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1. Richland, WA

A system for determining properties of settling suspensions includes a settling container, a mixer, and devices for ultrasonic interrogation transverse to the settling direction. A computer system controls operation of the mixer and the interrogation devices and records the response to the interrogating as a function of settling time, which is then used to determine suspension properties. Attenuation versus settling time for dilute suspensions, such as dilute wood pulp suspension, exhibits a peak at different settling times for suspensions having different properties, and the location of this peak is used as one mechanism for characterizing suspensions. Alternatively or in addition, a plurality of ultrasound receivers are arranged at different angles to a common transmitter to receive scattering responses at a variety of angles during particle settling. Angular differences in scattering as a function of settling time are also used to characterize the suspension.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute (Richland, WA)
• Patent Number(s): 7,140,239
• Application Number: 10/391,070
• OSTI ID: 908038
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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