Characterisation of the effects of sensor geometry on the performance of magnetic induction tomography systems

Magnetic Induction Tomography promises significant opportunities for multiphase flow measurement of low-conductive industrial fluids. This technology relies on the induction of eddy currents on electrically conductive fluids located within an alternating primary magnetic field. The present paper considers the effects that the variations of the geometries of the sensors have on the intensity of the induced field and on the measured electromotive signal. A set of scenarios encompassing various shapes and sizes of the air-core coils is reported. The presented outcomes address the performance of sensors in regard to changes in geometric shape, number of turns, wire gauge, and conductivity of the imaging region. Marked differences appear in the signals received by the coils for different geometric layouts. The results of this work, that account for an extensive evaluation of sensors geometry parameters, provide general guidelines on the mechanical design of magnetic induction tomography systems for pipe flow monitoring.