Measurement up to 600 degrees

This ultrasonic sensor has been developed and designed with the collaboration of one of the most well-known research team, HZDR (Dresden Germany), who patented this new design and concept of wave guide. Manufactured under license, it is intended to be used with our DOP ultrasonic velocimeter for the measurement of velocity profiles in high temperature liquid metal. It combines a special ultrasonic wave guide attached to a specific ultrasonic transducer. This sensor allows coupling ultrasonic energy inside a melt up to 600 degrees Celsius.

The extremity of this US-sensor can be immersed into any fluid without limit as long as a chemical intolerance to stainless steel can be excluded. In melts where the stainless steel shows a finite solubility (for instance liquid aluminum) a gradual degradation of the wave guide has to be taken into account which may result in a serious limitation of the sensor operating time.

It can be used within the defined temperature range and in most applications it is not necessary to add any cooling system. The whole sensor is surrounded by a robust stainless steel housing which enables an easy way to fix it and maintain its position during the measurements.

Successful measurements of the velocity field need sufficient acoustic coupling between the US-sensor and the fluid to be measured. For this purpose, the wave guide has to be directly immersed into the fluid or placed into direct contact with the wall of the fluid vessel. In all cases, the user has to ensure good wetting conditions at all interfaces, i.e.

• between the front surface of the wave guide and the melt
• between the front surface of the wave guide and the outer vessel wall and between the inner vessel wall and the melt