Image reconstruction algorithm for electrical capacitance tomography based on data correlation analysis

In order to acquire improved ECT reconstruction method that can increase spatial resolution and reduce the image errors, this study proposes an ECT imaging method based on data correlation analysis, instead of using conventional sensitivity maps. This method first collected the capacitance values when each micro element in the sensor is assigned in turn by a high dielectric constant, and then compared the simulated capacitance values with the true capacitance. Then a correlation coefficient can be obtained between them. Images can be reconstructed according to the correlation coefficient and the re-calculated capacitances. The simulation results show that the quality of the image reconstruction is improved, and the algorithm does not need to be iterative, but when combined with iterative method the image quality can be further improved. Also this new algorithm can be adapted to the situations when there are already materials in the sensor, and the materials, such as water, with high dielectric constant can also be imaged.