Capacitance Probe for Rapid Biomass Moisture Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for measuring moisture content in biomass bales are either time-consuming, expensive, or not portable, making them unsuitable for efficient field use in ethanol production and other applications.

Innovation Solution

A probe apparatus and system that can quickly and accurately measure moisture content by sensing capacitance or other methods, allowing for insertion into biomass during transportation, providing a rapid, cost-effective, and portable solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional oven drying method is used to measure moisture content, then measurement accuracy is improved, but time consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture content measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal oven drying system with an electromagnetic field-based capacitance sensing system. The probe uses electromagnetic fields to directly measure moisture content through dielectric constant changes, eliminating the need for time-consuming thermal drying while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates an electrical copy of the moisture measurement process by measuring the dielectric properties of the biomass material. Instead of physically removing water through heating, the system uses electrical field interactions to determine moisture content, providing a rapid non-destructive measurement method.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If NIR spectroscopy equipment is used for moisture measurement, then measurement speed is improved, but device cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement speedVSAvoidequipment cost and sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a simple, robust capacitance probe that is inexpensive to manufacture and does not require sensitive components. The probe uses basic electrical measurement principles with capacitive sensors that are durable, low-cost, and suitable for field deployment without the expensive optics and detectors required by NIR systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent measures a different physical parameter (electrical capacitance/dielectric constant) compared to NIR spectroscopy (optical absorption). This parameter change allows for simpler measurement electronics while achieving comparable measurement speed, as capacitance can be measured with basic electrical circuits rather than complex optical systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If portable field measurement is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveportability and field usabilityVSAvoidmoisture content measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the measurement system into a simple portable probe unit and a separate processing unit. The probe contains only the essential capacitance sensing elements and can be easily inserted into biomass bales in the field, while the data processing and calibration functions are handled by a separate device, enabling portable operation without compromising measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables rapid and accurate measurement of moisture content in biomass bales, improving efficiency in ethanol production and other applications by providing a portable and cost-effective solution.

Implementation Method 1

The measurement may be made by sensing capacitance of the biomass

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

conductance through biomass material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Conductivity: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

microwave absorption

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrowave absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS9523652B2Method and apparatus for measuring moisture content

Publication Date: 2016.12.20 POET RESEARCH INC

AI summary

An apparatus for measuring moisture content of biomass is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a probe apparatus and a mechanism that inserts the probe apparatus into the biomass. The probe apparatus measures a capacitance of the biomass. In accordance with an embodiment, the probe apparatus is mounted on the mechanism. In an embodiment, the mechanism positions the probe apparatus over the biomass. According to an embodiment, the mechanism inserts the probe apparatus into the biomass as the biomass is being transported in a trailer.