Uncertainty Estimation in Simultaneous Measurements of Levels and Permittivities of Liquids Using TDR Technique

Abstract

Time-domain reflectometry (TDR) based on instruments are commonly used for several monitoring methods, particularly in soil moisture and volumetric water-content evaluation. Furthermore, significant advantages of TDR methodology, mostly related to the possible determination in real-time and to a nondestructive approach of the spatial location and nature of various objects, make this technique an appealing candidate for a variety of environmental and industrial applications. In this paper, we show that the suitable combination of TDR-detecting functionalities can lead to a joint quantitative and qualitative monitoring method for liquid-control purposes, so that, in one shot, the analysis of TDR data allow the measurement of liquid levels, the determination of multiple interfaces in layered media, as well as the evaluation of dielectric properties, thus opening challenging perspectives for several monitoring applications, particularly in fluid-processing-related industry. For such purposes, a detailed analysis of the uncertainty of the proposed measurement method is mandatory; hence, a metrological characterization of the method is carried out, demonstrating that the presented technique is definitely valid for simultaneously measuring levels and dielectric constants of liquids, with uncertainties under 2%. Results obtained for different liquid samples validate the approach on a wide range of dielectric materials and demonstrate the robustness and reliability of the proposed TDR technique.