Process Control Sensor Using Capacitance for Solution Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial process devices face ambiguity in determining solution concentration due to non-single-valued conductivity measurements, where a single conductivity value can correspond to multiple concentration values.
Innovation Solution
The solution concentration is determined by measuring capacitance, which is single-valued with respect to concentration, using a transmitter that applies an electric field and measures the capacitance of the solution, allowing for the elimination of ambiguity by correlating dielectric constant and capacitance values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conductivity measurement is used to determine solution concentration, then measurement capability is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates due to non-single-valued relationship causing ambiguity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from conductivity to capacitance. Capacitance provides a single-valued relationship with concentration, eliminating the ambiguity inherent in conductivity measurements. The transmitter measures capacitance of the solution directly, and this parameter changes fundamentally resolve the information loss problem.
2Measurement precision
If capacitance measurement is used to determine solution concentration, then measurement precision improves through single-valued relationship, but device complexity increases compared to simple conductivity measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter is designed to measure multiple electrical parameters (capacitance, conductance, impedance) using a unified measurement architecture. This multi-functionality allows the device to perform capacitance-based concentration determination while maintaining measurement flexibility and reducing overall system complexity through a single integrated instrument.
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 method provides unambiguous solution concentration determinations by leveraging the consistent relationship between dielectric constant and capacitance, enabling accurate concentration measurements in industrial processes.
Implementation Method 1
industrial process control transmitter... measures capacitance of solution
Implementation Method 2
measuring capacitance... correlating dielectric constant and capacitance values
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
Automated measurement of fluid solution capacitance in industrial processes to determine solution concentration. Industrial process control transmitter (100) determines solution concentration directly from measured solution capacitance and confirms concentration determinations based on solution conductivity. The industrial process control transmitters include terminals embodied in wire coils (drive coil (106), response coil (108)) and/or metallic plates integrated in pipe (112) or in direct contact with process solution, at least one processor (104), and at least one computer readable memory device.