DROPLET SENSORS FOR FUEL SYSTEMS

A droplet detection system includes a sensing channel, such as a microfluidic channel, configured to receive a flow of fluid that may contain one or more liquid droplets dispersed in the fluid. The cross-sectional area of the sensing channel maybe configured to allow droplets of a predetermined size to flow through the channel one at a time. A light source, a light aperture, and a light detector are positioned outside the sensing channel, which use light in a selected frequency band that has a substantially different absorbance for the liquid compared to the fluid. Liquid droplets may be detected and characterized using a signal from the light detector.