Over the past three decades a wide range of electrostatic sensors have been developed and utilized for the continuous monitoring and measurement of various industrial processes. Electrostatic sensors enjoy simplicity in structure, cost-effectiveness and suitability for a variety of process conditions. They either provide unique solutions to some measurement challenges or offer more cost-effective or complementary options to established sensors such as those based on acoustic, capacitive, electromagnetic or optical principles. The established or potential applications of electrostatic sensors appear wide ranging, but the underlining sensing principle and system characteristics are very similar. This presentation will review the recent advances in electrostatic sensors and associated signal processing algorithms for industrial measurement and monitoring applications. The fundamental sensing principle and characteristics of electrostatic sensors will be introduced. A number of practical applications of electrostatic sensors will be presented. These include pulverized fuel flow metering, linear and rotational speed measurement, condition monitoring of mechanical systems, and advanced flame monitoring. Results from recent experimental and modelling studies as well as industrial trials of electrostatic sensors will be reported.
