Methods for the characterization of liquids using ultrasound
| Grant number: | 14/09034-8 |
| Support type: | Regular Research Grants |
| Duration: | December 01, 2014 - May 31, 2017 |
| Field of knowledge: | Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Electrical, Magnetic and Electronic Measurements, Instrumentation |
| Principal Investigator: | Ricardo Tokio Higuti |
| Grantee: | Ricardo Tokio Higuti |
| Home Institution: | Faculdade de Engenharia (FEIS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Ilha Solteira. Ilha Solteira , SP, Brazil |
| Assoc. researchers: | Edvaldo Assuncao ; Luis Elvira Segura ; Samuel Leite de Oliveira |
Abstract
The main objecive of this research project is the development of a high-frequency ultrasonic cell for measurement of properties of liquids with the following characteristics: high-frequency pulsed operation (20 to 100 MHz), high thermal stability (0.01oC), small volumes (0.5 to 3.0 ml), employing disposable/sterilizable cuvettes. The use of wideband and high-frequency transducers will allow the analysis of different types of liquid samples: pure liquids, mixtures, suspensions and emulsions. In particular, there is interest in measuring some biofuels properties, such as ethanol and biodiesel, which have particular economic importance in Brazil. The main challenges are related to the mastering of high frequency techniques with accuracy, which involve the design and manufacturing of the measurement cell, the thermal control, the use of small volumes for easy sample handling, the signal analysis and processing to correlate the data obtained with ultrasound with the characteristics of interest (concentration, adulteration, etc). The thermal control will be very important to attain the small errors and variations in the measured acoustical properties, especially the propagation velocity, and a temperature control system will be implemented by using identification and advanced robust control techniques, with the collaboration of prof. Edvaldo Assunção.The results obtained with ultasound will be compared with some optical techniques like fluorimetry and UV-Vis absorption, with the collaboration of prof. Samuel Leite de Oliveira, who also has experience in the fabrication of biodiesel.There will be the important participation of Dr. Luis Elvira Segura, who has a wide experience in the characterization of liquids using ultrasound, and a foreign research fellow grant is already approved by FAPESP, for a period of one year, for his participation in this project. (AU)