Quantitative analysis of liquids and emulsions by means of high-frequency ultrasound (15–35 MHz)

The analysis of homogeneous liquids and immiscible mixtures of different liquids (emulsions) is of interest in many industrial processes. Ultrasound based methods allow to measure various acoustic parameters (speed of sound, acoustic impedance, frequency-dependent attenuation), which are suitable to quantitatively characterize liquids and emulsions. In this work, a high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) measurement cell working in the range from 15 to 35 MHz is presented. The design of the cell and approaches for quantitative ultrasound analysis are discussed based on an analytical one-dimensional model for the propagation of ultrasound waves. Appropriate echo signal processing strategies for parameter extraction and calibration techniques have been developed. Results of the evaluation of the implemented system are presented.