CryoSense: Redesign using advanced technology

Abstract

This Technical Note contains a study of advanced sensor technologies for a cryogenic benchmark experiment. The benchmark experiment is a redesign of baseline experiment 2 presented in Technical Note 4 of the activity, with state-of-the-art ‘conventional’ sensor technologies now replaced by alternative measurement methods. In a comprehensive study different technologies are first described, then evaluated in terms of application potential and specifically adapted TRL scale. This includes: Particle Velocimetry, Ultrasound Tomography, specialised ultrasound methods (Lamb-Waves, Quasi-Scholten-Waves), Electrical Capacitance Tomography, Optical Tomography, Time of Flight Cameras, Wire-Mesh Sensors and Microwave/RF-methods. The intended application in this Note is the detection of free surface topologies of cryogenic liquids (fill level, dynamics due to external acceleration, boiling at the free surface). Recommendations regarding required experimental test to increase technology readiness level conclude the sensor study and lead to the presentation of possible sensor layouts of the redesigned experiment. The need for basic (breadboard) cryogenic tests in the domain of ultrasound transducers and electrical capacitance tomography is demonstrated, since feasibility/performance data are required for furnishing dependable sensor and measurement chain setups.