Liner wear detection

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for detecting wear in a liner. In one embodiment of the present invention, an electrically conductive wire is placed on or near the outside surface of the liner and the electrical resistance in the electrically conductive wire is measured to determine whether the wire has worn through. In another embodiment of the present invention, the temperature measured by a temperature measuring device, such as a thermocouple, is monitored over time to estimate wear in the liner.

1 . A method for detecting wear in a liner containing or bounding a flow of an abrasive fluid, comprising the steps of: 
 placing a temperature measuring device on or near the outside surface of the liner; and    monitoring the temperature measured by the thermocouple over time to estimate wear in the liner.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the liner is ceramic.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the temperature measuring device is a wire thermocouple.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the wire thermocouple is placed in a zigzag pattern.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the wire thermocouple is placed in a spiral pattern.  
   
   
       6 . A method for detecting wear in a liner containing or bounding a flow of an abrasive fluid, comprising the steps of: 
 creating a groove in the outside surface of the liner;    placing a wire thermocouple in the groove; and    monitoring the temperature measured by the wire thermocouple over time to estimate wear in the liner.    
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the created groove comprises a zigzag pattern.  
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the created groove comprises a spiral pattern.  
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the liner is ceramic.  
   
   
       10 . A liner, comprising; 
 a substantially cylindrical body of a material which is susceptible of wear over a period of use; and    an electrically conductive wire thermocouple placed on or near the outside surface of the body.    
   
   
       11 . A liner according to  claim 10 , wherein the wire thermocouple is placed in a zigzag pattern.  
   
   
       12 . A liner according to  claim 10 , wherein the wire thermocouple is placed in a spiral pattern.  
   
   
       13 . A liner according to  claim 10 , wherein the body is ceramic.  
   
   
       14 . A liner, comprising; 
 a substantially cylindrical body of a material which is susceptible of wear over a period of use and which defines a groove in the outside surface of the body; and    an electrically conductive wire thermocouple placed inside the groove.    
   
   
       15 . A liner according to  claim 14  wherein the body is ceramic.  
   
   
       16 . A liner according to  claim 14 , wherein the groove comprises a zigzag pattern.  
   
   
       17 . A liner according to  claim 14 , wherein the groove comprises a spiral pattern.