Compact Combustion Value Measurement Device Using Coriolis Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the combustion value of fuels, particularly gaseous fuels, are costly and cumbersome, making it difficult to conduct on-site measurements at locations like natural gas or biogas fields with non-homogeneous fuels.

Innovation Solution

A compact device using a system chip with a Coriolis-type flow measurement unit and a silicon nitride combustion chamber, allowing continuous fuel supply and precise oxygen adjustment for complete combustion, enabling small sample analysis and efficient temperature measurement for determining combustion value.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a traditional bomb calorimeter is used to determine combustion value, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but device size and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion value measurement accuracyVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The traditional bomb calorimeter is segmented into essential functional components (combustion chamber, oxygen supply, temperature sensing) and non-essential components. Only the critical measurement functions are retained in the miniaturized version, while auxiliary systems are simplified or eliminated, enabling accurate combustion value measurement in a compact form factor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the core measurement function from the complex bomb calorimeter system. By isolating and optimizing only the essential elements needed for combustion value determination (fuel injection, controlled combustion, temperature measurement), the device achieves high accuracy without the bulk and cost of complete traditional calorimeter systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If a traditional bomb calorimeter is used to determine combustion value, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion value measurement accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and retains only the essential measurement functions from the complex bomb calorimeter system. By eliminating auxiliary systems and focusing on core functions (fuel injection, controlled combustion, temperature measurement), the device achieves high accuracy with significantly reduced complexity and lower cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs cost-effective, simplified components rather than expensive, complex traditional calorimeter parts. The use of straightforward temperature sensors, simple fuel injection mechanisms, and basic combustion chambers enables accurate measurement at much lower cost, accepting that these simpler components may have shorter operational lifetimes but providing excellent value for on-site measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If continuous fuel supply is implemented, then variations in combustion value can be detected, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel composition variation detectionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements continuous fuel supply and combustion, allowing real-time detection of combustion value variations in non-homogeneous fuels. This continuous operation provides adaptability to varying fuel compositions while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through straightforward flow control and continuous measurement protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 precise, on-site measurement of combustion value with a significantly reduced device size, allowing for smaller samples and lower costs, while maintaining high precision and adaptability to varying fuel compositions.

Implementation Method 1

a flow measurement unit, in particular of the Coriolis type

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoriolis force: Coriolis Force

Implementation Method 2

combust the fuel (whether or not continuously), and thus determine the combustion value of the fuel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 3

The heat that is released will heat the water in the outer container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy release: Exothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 4

determine the combustion value of the fuel by measuring the temperature increase of the water that results from the combustion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature measurement:

Data Source

PatentEP2939009B1Device and method for determining the combustion value of a fuel
Publication Date: 2020.02.05 BERKIN
  • EP2939009B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2939009B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2939009B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (1) for determining the combustion value of a fuel. The device (1) comprises a fuel inlet (40) for supplying the fuel to be measured to the device (1). A gas inlet (50) is provided for supplying an oxygen-containing gas to the device (1). The device (1) further comprises a combustion unit connected to the fuel inlet (40) and the gas inlet (50), which combustion unit is provided with a combustion chamber (7) for combusting the fuel to be measured therein. A gas outlet (8) connected to the combustion chamber (7) makes it possible to discharge the combusted gas. The device (1) according to the invention comprises a flow measurement unit (14), preferably of the Coriolis type, disposed between the fuel inlet (40) and the combustion chamber (7).