CO2 Purity Measurement with Range-Switched Impurity Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing CO2 purity measurement systems face inaccuracies due to the use of single measuring elements, which can lead to incorrect results when impurity content is either below or exceeds their measuring range, particularly in highly pure CO2 samples.

Innovation Solution

A system with multiple impurity ingredient measuring components, each group having two elements with different ranges, and a switching element to select the appropriate element based on the impurity content, along with pressure adjustment and a controller for precise measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single impurity ingredient measuring element is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates when impurity content is below or exceeds the measuring range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpurity content measurement precisionVSAvoidmeasuring component structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring system is segmented into multiple measuring elements (first impurity ingredient measuring element and second impurity ingredient measuring element), each with different measuring ranges. This segmentation allows the system to handle a broader spectrum of impurity concentrations by selecting the appropriate element for the specific measurement range required, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring a single complex universal sensor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between different measuring elements based on the detected impurity content level. The switching element changes the fluid communication path to connect the appropriate measuring element to the sample introduction pipeline, enabling the system to adapt its measurement capability to the actual impurity concentration, thus maintaining high precision across varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If multiple impurity ingredient measuring elements with different measuring ranges are used, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCO2 purity measurement accuracyVSAvoidswitching and control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection using an available measuring element to estimate the impurity content level. Based on this preliminary information, the controller determines which measuring element is appropriate for accurate measurement and switches to that element before performing the final precise measurement. This preliminary action avoids the need for complex real-time analysis and simplifies the switching control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The switching element acts as an intermediary between the sample introduction pipeline and the multiple measuring elements. It controls the fluid communication path, directing the sample gas to the appropriate measuring element based on controller instructions. This intermediary component simplifies the overall system architecture by providing a centralized control point for selecting among multiple measuring elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the measuring range is fixed for a single element, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to varying impurity concentrations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different impurity concentrationsVSAvoidmulti-element measuring system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring system achieves multi-functionality by incorporating multiple measuring elements with different measuring ranges within a single integrated system. The first measuring element handles low impurity concentrations while the second measuring element handles high impurity concentrations. This universal design allows the system to accurately measure a wide spectrum of CO2 purity levels, from 99.999% to lower purities, without requiring separate measurement systems for different concentration ranges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4692789A1Co2 purity measurement system
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 CHINA INSTITUTE OF ATOMIC ENERGY
  • EP4692789A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4692789A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4692789A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The embodiments of the present application relate to testing or analyzing a material by means of determining chemical or physical properties of the material, and particularly to a system for measuring a CO2 purity. The system comprises a sample introduction pipeline for receiving CO2 to be measured and at least one group of impurity ingredient measuring components. Each group of impurity ingredient measuring components comprise a switching element and two impurity ingredient measuring elements for measuring an impurity content. The two impurity ingredient measuring elements in the same group have different measuring ranges, and the switching element is configured to determine whether to switch the fluid communication with the sample introduction pipeline to the other impurity ingredient measuring element in the same group according to the measuring range of the impurity ingredient measuring element currently being in fluid communication with the sample introduction pipeline and an impurity content measured thereby. The system provided by the embodiments of the present application measures the impurity content by switching between the impurity ingredient measuring elements having different measuring ranges via the switching element to measure the impurity content, which is advantageous for increasing the accuracy and precision of the measurement result.