Helix-shaped CRLH-TL sensor for inhomogeneties detection for pneumatic conveyed pulverized solids

This paper presents an application of a Composite Right/Left-Handed (CRLH) Transmission Line resonator for a compact mass flow detector that is able to detect inhomogeneous flows. In this concept, series capacitors and shunt inductors are used to synthesize a medium with simultaneously negative permeability and permittivity - the so called metamaterial. The helix shape of the cylindrical CRLH-TL sensor offers the possibility to detect flow inhomogeneities within the pipeline which can be used to correct the detected massflow rate. A prototype was realized and tested in a dedicated measurement setup to prove the concept.