Microwave Doppler - Effect Particle Flow Measurement

An investigation of the effects of particle moisture content and flow-rate on the readings of a microwave Doppler-effect flow-meter is described. It is shown that the effects of moisture content may be comparable with those of flow-rate. The flow-meter readings will, in general, be ambiguous since they exhibit maxima and minima as functions of flow-rate, and when moisture content is a parameter the different signal versus flow-rate curves cross. Simultaneous measurement of flow-rate and moisture content based upon stastical parameters of the voltage and phase of the back-scattered signal may be possible over limited ranges. The main applications of the flow-meter are expected to be in situations of constant moisture content and particle size.