Reference number : GC-2017-Q4-00114, amendment number : , agreement type : G, recipient legal name : Bao, Xiaoyi (University of Ottawa)|Bao, Xiaoyi (Université d’Ottawa), recipient country : CA, recipient province : nan, recipient city : Ontario, recipient postal code : nan, program name english : Engage Grants for universities, program name french : Subventions d'engagement partenarial pour les universités, program purpose english : In the pyrometallurgical industry, smelting vessels are subjected to extreme heat stress, as well as chemical and_x000D_
abrasive reactions. The lining of the vessels suffer from severe degradation over time. Early detection of_x000D_
degradation in the refractory lining is essential to avoid sudden vessel failures and to prevent unscheduled_x000D_
shutdowns. The acoustic ultrasonic-echo (AU-E) technique is widely used to detect the refractory degradation_x000D_
and remaining thickness of smelting vessels. This technique uses a piezoelectric transducer (PZT) for manual_x000D_
impact detection of the signal reflected from the shell of the vessels, in order to determine the remaining_x000D_
thickness of the refractory lining. These reflections are caused by local changes of material properties such as_x000D_
voids or interfaces between different materials. The reflected waves are analyzed in both the time and_x000D_
frequency domains to determine the condition of the vessels. However, the PZT detection system has low_x000D_
sensitivity with single frequency ability, thus requiring manual impact with multiple PZTs to cover various_x000D_
frequency ranges. This represents the company-specific problem._x000D_
The primary objective of this project is to design broadband acoustic sensors with a flat response over a broad_x000D_
frequency range, that operate at temperatures >300°C. Following the successful design of the flat-response_x000D_
broadband acoustic sensor, we will explore the option of high-temperature fiber coating for high acoustic_x000D_
response. In collaboration with Hatch Ltd., we will then develop a transmitter and receiver for ultrasonic_x000D_
signals, capable of generating and receiving a frequency sweep pulse (chirp) in the 1 kHz - 250 kHz range (a_x000D_
standard non-destructive testing (NDT) acoustic generator). The joint transmitter and receiver unit will detect_x000D_
the weak receiver signal at minimal loss. This innovative research will lead to promising applications in_x000D_
acoustic sensing instrumentation and NDT detection., program purpose french : In the pyrometallurgical industry, smelting vessels are subjected to extreme heat stress, as well as chemical and_x000D_
abrasive reactions. The lining of the vessels suffer from severe degradation over time. Early detection of_x000D_
degradation in the refractory lining is essential to avoid sudden vessel failures and to prevent unscheduled_x000D_
shutdowns. The acoustic ultrasonic-echo (AU-E) technique is widely used to detect the refractory degradation_x000D_
and remaining thickness of smelting vessels. This technique uses a piezoelectric transducer (PZT) for manual_x000D_
impact detection of the signal reflected from the shell of the vessels, in order to determine the remaining_x000D_
thickness of the refractory lining. These reflections are caused by local changes of material properties such as_x000D_
voids or interfaces between different materials. The reflected waves are analyzed in both the time and_x000D_
frequency domains to determine the condition of the vessels. However, the PZT detection system has low_x000D_
sensitivity with single frequency ability, thus requiring manual impact with multiple PZTs to cover various_x000D_
frequency ranges. This represents the company-specific problem._x000D_
The primary objective of this project is to design broadband acoustic sensors with a flat response over a broad_x000D_
frequency range, that operate at temperatures >300°C. Following the successful design of the flat-response_x000D_
broadband acoustic sensor, we will explore the option of high-temperature fiber coating for high acoustic_x000D_
response. In collaboration with Hatch Ltd., we will then develop a transmitter and receiver for ultrasonic_x000D_
signals, capable of generating and receiving a frequency sweep pulse (chirp) in the 1 kHz - 250 kHz range (a_x000D_
standard non-destructive testing (NDT) acoustic generator). The joint transmitter and receiver unit will detect_x000D_
the weak receiver signal at minimal loss. This innovative research will lead to promising applications in_x000D_
acoustic sensing instrumentation and NDT detection., agreement title english : Developing high temperature broadband fiber optic acoustic sensor with flat response, agreement title french : Developing high temperature broadband fiber optic acoustic sensor with flat response, agreement number : EGP, agreement value : 25000.0, agreement start date : 2018-03-07, agreement end date : nan, description english : nan, description french : nan, expected results english : nan, expected results french : nan, additional information english : Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019)., additional information french : Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier (2017-2018 à 2018-2019)., owner organization : nserc-crsng, owner organization title : Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada | Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada