Compact Gamma-ray Flow Meter with Conical Pipe Recess
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gamma-ray flow measuring instruments for fluid density in pipes require high activity gamma sources and large, cumbersome units that weaken the pipe wall, posing handling challenges and inefficiencies in measurement sensitivity, especially in multiphase and wet gas flows.
Innovation Solution
A compact gamma-ray flow measuring instrument design where the gamma source is inserted into a recess in the pipe wall with a conical protrusion, minimizing pipe material attenuation and using lower activity sources, and a detector is positioned with a reduced wall thickness and angled configuration for improved sensitivity in wet gas flows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high activity gamma sources are used for density measurements, then measurement sensitivity is improved, but device size and handling complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a conical recess in the pipe wall that concentrates the gamma radiation path through a specific localized region of the fluid flow. The conical geometry focuses the beam through the fluid column, improving measurement sensitivity without requiring higher source activity. This localized concentration of the radiation path allows effective measurements with lower activity sources.
2Measurement precision
If source penetrates pipe wall completely, then measurement path is improved, but pipe wall strength is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the source penetration into two parts: the source housing remains in the outer pipe wall while the conical protrusion extends into the fluid flow. This segmentation allows the radiation path to pass through the fluid without requiring complete penetration of the pipe wall, thereby maintaining pipe wall strength while achieving the necessary measurement geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a conical dimension to the source housing, creating a three-dimensional geometry that extends into the fluid flow. This conical protrusion provides an optimized radiation path through the fluid column while the base remains anchored in the pipe wall, achieving measurement path improvement without complete penetration.
3Measurement precision
If conical source holder extends into fluid, then beam concentration is improved, but pipe wall attenuation increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending the conical protrusion further into the fluid to improve beam concentration, the patent inverts the approach by limiting the protrusion depth and accepting the resulting pipe wall attenuation. The conical geometry is optimized to provide sufficient beam concentration with minimal intrusion into the fluid flow, thereby reducing the attenuation path through pipe material.
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention relates to a compact density measuring instrument for measuring density of fluids in a volume in a container, especially in a fluid flow in a pipe, the instrument comprising a radiation source in the gamma range positioned on one side of the fluid and a detector positioned on the opposite side of the fluids for receiving said radiation, and the fluid being contained in the container, wherein the source is positioned in a source housing, said source housing being at least partially fitted into a corresponding recess in the container wall, said source housing comprises a source holder containing the gamma source positioned in the holder axis and comprising a coaxial opening from the source through one end of the holder, said one end adapted to be aimed toward the fluid.