Method for selecting a sensor and computer program product

Abstract

The invention discloses a method for selecting a sensor, wherein the sensor is designed to detect at least one physical or chemical measured variable, wherein the sensor is designed to measure several different media, wherein the properties of all media, various standards, process data and master data are taken into account when calculating the optimal sensor. The invention also discloses a computer program product.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for selecting a sensor and a computer program product.

[0002] In the process industry, sensors are used in what is known as "batch processing," meaning different media are measured using the same sensors, resulting in the same or different process data. Since only one (single) measuring point should be available for all of these applications, data must be calculated across multiple process data sets and media and compared manually. Calculating the single, most effective, and best measuring device for all media used in a given setting is difficult or almost impossible. The selection is based primarily on the experience of the staff. An individual test is carried out in each case, and the relevant documents are generated.

[0003] The generated individual documents are then not relevant to the measurement points, as these only apply to the specific device. Therefore, they cannot be taken into account for any service or calibration work.

[0004] This means that an engineer only has the opportunity to design a device randomly or based on experience and then test the media. However, this does not guarantee that the optimal device will be determined for the various applications, as the calculations are independent of each other, and only the selected device is tested to determine whether it is generally suitable, not which device is best suited to the various process conditions.

[0005] Therefore, there is no way to perform calculations for a single measurement point. The calculations are all based on a single medium for a single measurement point.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of finding the optimal sensor for an application in which several media are measured by this sensor.

[0007] The object is achieved by a method, wherein the sensor is designed to detect at least one physical or chemical measured variable, wherein the sensor is designed to measure several different media, wherein the properties of all media, different standards, process data and master data are taken into account when calculating the optimal sensor.

[0008] One embodiment provides that the sensor is a flow sensor.

[0009] One design provides that the media are at least two measuring media.

[0010] One embodiment provides that the media are at least a measuring medium and a calibration / cleaning medium.

[0011] One design provides that the standards are certificates and approvals.

[0012] One design provides that the master data includes information on communication, power supply, the presence of a display, SIL requirement, explosion protection, housing material, price, flange, connection, material requirements, pipe size, accuracy requirements, etc.

[0013] One embodiment provides that the process data includes temperature values, pressure, pressure loss, flow rate, viscosity, density, speed of sound in the medium, Reynolds number, etc.

[0014] One design provides that if the sensor is replaced, the calculation is carried out again.

[0015] The object is further achieved by a computer program product comprising program instructions which, when executed on a computer device, cause the computer device to carry out a method as described above.

[0016] This is explained in more detail using the following figures. Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a prior art method. Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the claimed method.

[0017] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a prior art process. If a system is to be created, updated, or modified, a separate calculation is performed for each medium to be measured (for example, ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise). The manufacturer of these products / media only wants to use a single sensor. The respective products flow sequentially through the corresponding lines. Typically, a cleaning / calibration medium is used in between. The media are at least two measuring media (i.e., media whose properties are to be measured) or at least one measuring medium and one calibration / cleaning medium.

[0018] The example shows a flow sensor. A separate calculation is performed for each medium, i.e., the corresponding pipe size (often referred to as "sizing" in German, in English this is called "Auslegung"), with the DN10, DN20, and DN15 shown. In the example, three different sensors are considered for the three media: from left to right, a magnetic-inductive flow sensor, a Coriolis flow sensor, and an ultrasonic flow sensor.

[0019] A manual comparison of the individual calculations is carried out, a time-consuming, manual determination of a device that may be suitable for all process requirements / media.

[0020] In this example, there are three different devices and three different nominal diameters. The best-fitting device is determined manually through trial and error. Only then does the device configuration follow—and only then does one learn whether the device even has a specific approval (e.g., hygiene certificates).

[0021] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the claimed method.

[0022] The claimed method involves calculating a single document for the size design and other documents for all media simultaneously, as well as comparing them across multiple measurement principles.

[0023] All media, standards and process data are included as variables in a design calculation in order to determine the optimal device.

[0024] When calculating the optimal sensor, the properties of all media, various standards, process data and master data are taken into account.

[0025] In one embodiment, these steps are two-part: When calculating the optimal flow sensor, process data such as flow, medium, temperature, pressure, and other parameters are used. These are used to select the sensor, and in the second step, the search is refined using master data.

[0026] The standards include certificates and approvals such as EHEDG, 3-A, PMMI B155 TR3.

[0027] The master data includes information on communication, power supply, the presence of a display, SIL requirement, explosion protection, housing material, price, flange, connection, material requirements, pipe size, accuracy requirements, etc.

[0028] The process data includes temperature values, pressure, pressure loss, flow rate, viscosity, density, speed of sound in the medium, Reynolds number, etc.

[0029] Using the claimed method, the best device is determined for all three media. Furthermore, a single sizing document exists that was generated for all three media.

[0030] A recommendation can be made as to which device is the best, e.g. the device with the lowest pressure loss, with high accuracy in all application areas for the media used.

[0031] Another recommendation might be even better accuracy, but at a higher price.

[0032] Ultimately, the user can decide which device is best suited to his or her needs under the given conditions.

[0033] This makes it possible to calculate the optimal device instead of a "best-guess" process. A single document is obtained for the overall design instead of many individual, independent documents (which may not be compatible). Standards are incorporated directly into the design process (e.g., hygiene certificates, corrosive media, etc.). This process allows error-prone, manual steps to be systematized and automated. This results in traceability of the decision, even in the event of later calibration or replacement. A recalculation of better-suited devices is performed in the event of a replacement.

Claims

[1] Method for selecting a sensor, wherein the sensor is designed to detect at least one physical or chemical measured variable, wherein the sensor is designed to measure several different media, When calculating the optimal sensor, the properties of all media, different standards, process data and master data are taken into account. [2] The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a flow sensor. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the media are at least two measuring media. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the media are at least one measuring medium and one calibration / cleaning medium. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the standards are certificates and approvals. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the master data is information on communication, power supply, the presence of a display, SIL requirement, explosion protection, housing material, price, flange, connection, material requirements, pipe size, accuracy requirements, among others. [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the process data are temperature values, pressure, pressure loss, flow rate, viscosity, density, speed of sound in the medium, Reynolds number, etc. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the calculation is carried out again when the sensor is replaced. [9] A computer program product comprising program instructions which, when executed on a computer device, cause the computer device to carry out a method according to any one of the preceding claims.

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