Gas Ultrasonic Flow Metering

This project will consider all aspects of the measurement system design and implementation: from ultrasonic transducer design; placement of the transducers within the measurement system; ultrasonic signal fidelity; signal processing; and integration of additional environmental sensor data.
At the outset, the key project work packages are expected to be as follows. Although, it is important to note that there will be opportunities for the research to explore other areas of interest, for example using AI/ML to enhance the measurement accuracy with a maximum error of 1%.
The project will have three major research themes:
1. Transducer design
The transducer specification has been extended to operate at temperatures between -50C and +250C, with an initial goal to improve on the current 85C specification and reach 120C, and over a pressure range of ambient to 500bar.
The use of finite element modelling will enable the researcher to understand the limitations of the current system configuration and explore new transduction designs. This will be achieved within certain design specification limitations in terms of operating frequency and transducer dimensions.
2. System implementation
Transducer fabrication and characterisation will be critical and provide feedback into the Transducer Design process.
Identification of additional sensor modalities to enhance system performance
Sensor integration into prototype holder
Test within laboratory environment
3. Data Management
Explore signal excitation options
Optimise signal fidelity
Explore signal processing opportunities, including data fusion from all sensor outputs
Full system testing regime
Overall, this project will provide the researcher with a broad systems engineering experience in sensor design, materials science, mechanical and electrical design considerations and signal processing, for a practical industrial application. Importantly, there will be opportunities for the researcher to bring fresh ideas, while remaining within the design specification.

FUSE has been designed to maximise impact in partnership with industry, international academics, and other organisations such as NPL and the NHS. It includes funded mechanisms to deal with opportunities in equality, diversity and integration (EDI) and in realisation of impactful outcomes.

EDI is aimed at realising the full potential of the talented individuals that join FUSE. Funding mechanisms include support for ten undergraduate internships to prime the pipeline into FUSE research studentships; part-time studentships reserved for people with specific needs to access this route; and talent scholarships for people from Widening Participation backgrounds. Additionally, cultural issues will be addressed through funded support for work life-balance activities and for workshops exploring the enhancement of research creativity and inventiveness through diversity.

People: As a community, FUSE will contribute to impact principally through its excellent training of outstanding people. At least 54 EngD and PhD graduates will emerge with very high value skills from the experience FUSE will provide in ultrasonics and through highly relevant professional skills. This will position them perfectly as future leaders in ultrasonics in the types of organisation represented by the partners.

Knowledge: FUSE will also create significant knowledge which will be captured in many different forms including industrial know-how, patents and processes, designs, and academic papers. Management of this knowledge will be integrated into the students' training, including data management and archival, and will be communicated effectively to those in positions to exploit it.

Economic Gain: In turn, the people and knowledge will lead to the economic impact that FUSE is ultimately designed to generate. The close interaction between the FUSE academics, its research students and industry partners will make it particularly efficient and, since FUSE includes both suppliers and customers, the transition from knowledge creation to exploitation will be accelerated.

Societal Benefit: FUSE is well placed to deliver a number of societal benefits which will reinforce our researcher training and external partner impacts. This activity encompasses new consumer products; improved public safety through advanced inspection across many industrial sectors; and new modalities for medical surgery and therapy. In addition, FUSE will provide engaging demonstrators to promote education in science, technology, engineering and maths, helping replenish the FUSE pipeline and supporting growth of the FUSE community far beyond its immediate members.

Impactful outcomes will gain from several specific funding mechanisms: horizon scanning workshops will focus on specific ultrasonic engineering application areas with industrial and other external participation; all FUSE students will have external partners and both industrial and international academic secondments will be arranged, as well as EngD studentships primarily in industry; and industry case studies will be considered. There will also be STEM promotion activity, funding ultrasonic technology demonstrators to support school outreach and public science and engineering events.