Auto Switching Reference Matrices for Process Material Concentration

Solution Overview

Problem

Current concentration measurement technologies in multi-material processes require multiple measurement technologies, leading to increased opportunities for leakage of toxic cleaning materials, high maintenance costs, and labor complexities, especially in industries like food and beverage, oil & gas, and chemical manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

A single measurement device that automatically switches matrices to determine the type and concentration of process materials, reducing the need for multiple measurement technologies and minimizing leak points by using a meter connected to an electronic data storage medium with pre-stored matrices for different materials, based on density and temperature measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple measurement technologies are used to determine concentration of different process materials, then measurement accuracy for each material is improved, but the number of leak points increases and system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcentration measurement accuracyVSAvoidleak prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal measurement device that can measure concentration of multiple different process materials (application material and cleaning material) using a single instrument. The device stores multiple concentration matrices in its memory, each corresponding to different materials, and automatically selects the appropriate matrix based on the detected material type. This eliminates the need for multiple separate measurement technologies and their associated process line breaks, thereby reducing leak points while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If multiple measurement technologies are used to determine concentration of different process materials, then measurement accuracy for each material is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcentration measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple measurement technologies into a single integrated device. The measurement instrument includes a processor and memory that store multiple concentration matrices for different process materials. The device automatically identifies the material type and selects the appropriate matrix, consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate instruments into one unified system, thereby reducing device complexity and maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If secondary measurement technologies such as pH and conductivity meters are used, then concentration of cleaning material can be determined, but additional process line breaks are required increasing leak opportunities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning material concentration determinationVSAvoidleak reduction

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal measurement device that can measure concentration of multiple different process materials (application material and cleaning material) using a single instrument. The device stores multiple concentration matrices in its memory, each corresponding to different materials, and automatically selects the appropriate matrix based on the detected material type. This eliminates the need for multiple separate measurement technologies and their associated process line breaks, thereby reducing leak points while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enhances safety and efficiency by reducing leak points, minimizing the need for additional process line breaks, lowering maintenance costs, and enabling real-time concentration monitoring without laboratory testing, thus improving application safety and compliance with emission standards.

Implementation Method 1

measuring a process material line density of the process material using the meter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDensity measurement:

Implementation Method 2

measuring a process material line temperature of the process material using the meter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature measurement:

Data Source

PatentEP3022553B1Auto switching reference matrices in determining process material concentration

Publication Date: 2022.03.02 MICRO MOTION INC

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AI summary

A device and method to automatically switch referral matrices in a meter (120) to identify an unknown material circulating in a process application (900) and determine the material concentration, whether it may be a cleaning material or a process material. The present invention utilizes a measured line density and line temperature of the material along with a reference temperature to calculate a reference density. Using the reference temperature and reference density, a concentration percentage of the material may be determined.