Comparison of 3D Image Reconstruction Techniques using Real Electrical Impedance Measurement Data

The present status of electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is such that many successful laboratory based studies and pilot plant demonstrators are generating interest in developing the technology. However, while the EIT problem is inherently 3D, many studies make 2D assumptions in order to simplify the problem. Proportionately less work has been carried out on the true 3D EIT problem, outside of the mathematical development of the problem. This paper aims to provide a comparison of the performance of 3D EIT image reconstruction algorithms applied to real data, and assess whether the extra effort and complexity involved in 3D EIT is worthwhile. Measurement data are taken from a pilot-scale mixing vessel. The performance of five common EIT reconstruction algorithms is compared and the best performing algorithm for this arrangement is identified. This work is part of the ongoing efforts at Manchester to pursue the true 3D EIT problem under the EIDORS-3D framework