Terahertz radar sensing for real-time monitoring of powder streams

• In pharmaceutical manufacturing processes, the flow properties of powder streams moving in the manufacturing pipes directly impact the properties of the final drug product, and there is a need for real-time non-invasive monitoring of the powder flow properties with process analytical tools. In this study, we propose a frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) Doppler radar system with a center frequency of 340 GHz to measure the flow properties of falling powder streams in a vertical transparent tube. We successfully measured the velocity profile and powder flow density variation along the height of the tube with a spatial resolution of about 5 mm. In conclusion, the terahertz FMCW Doppler radar system was shown to be highly promising for real-time sensing of flow properties of powder streams in the pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Elektroteknik och elektronik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering (hsv//eng)

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