Qualitative and Quantitative Characterization of Liquids from TDR Measurements

Time-domain Reflectometry (TDR) is a wel l-establ ished technique for the development of microwave sensors devoted to the die lectr ic character izat ion of mater ials . This renders TDR an appeal ing method for a var iety of monitor ing appl icat ions. Ti l l now, TDR has been successful ly appl ied to solve hydrological or soi l prospect ing problems, though i ts adopt ion in many other cases is worth an invest igat ion. In th is paper , i t is demonstrated that TDR is a v iable approach for quant i ta t ive and qual i ta ive realt ime character izat ion of l iquids ins ide tanks. In fact , in one shot the sui table handl ing of t ime-domain ref lectometry data al lows the determinat ion of the l iquid level , as wel l as the evaluat ion of die lectr ic propert ies , such as d ielectr ic permit t iv i ty and electr ical conduct iv i ty. Some appl icat ions to real cases are proposed, referred to petrol-chemical mixtures or water-based l iquids, thus val idat ing the approach on a wide range of mater ials .