Stepped test cell ultrasonic reflectometer

A new ultrasonic measuring system was developed utilizing a piezoelectric transducer and a stepped test cell. Reflected signals of two different path lengths of specimen or test sample, i.e. shorter and longer path lengths are acquired in a single measurement. Hence, ultrasonic absorption and phase velocity can be obtained simultaneously in either dynamic or static systems. To demonstrate the versatility of the stepped test cell ultrasonic reflectometer, several experiments in different applications were conducted and the results are presented. These include volume fraction and mass fraction determination of liquid component in mixtures, cloud point determination of vegetable oils, adulterant (kerosene) detection in petrol and in-situ sedimentation monitoring of suspended particles in suspensions. Experimental results show excellent agreement with results obtained using currently available methods. (Author)