Compact Gas Quality Measurement Device with Integrated Sampling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas quality measurement devices in gas networks require significant space, high investment costs, and result in gas emissions due to large dead volumes and complex setups, especially when measuring biogas and hydrogen in natural gas networks.

Innovation Solution

A compact device where the sampling, pressure-reducing, and measuring components are stored together in a single storage device, allowing for simplified installation and reduced space requirements, with internal lines to minimize external influences and emissions, and a pre-installable design for easier testing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional gas quality measurement devices are used with separate sampling, pressure reduction, and measuring components, then the measurement function is achieved, but the space requirement and device complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas quality measurementVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the sampling device, pressure reducing device, and measuring device into a single integrated measuring device. The sampling device includes a sampling probe connected via a line to a pressure reducing device, which is in turn connected to a measuring device, all within one unit. This integration eliminates the need for separate peripheral equipment and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining measurement reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated measuring device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it samples gas from the gas line, reduces the pressure of the sampled gas, and measures the gas quality. This multi-functionality is achieved within a single device structure, eliminating the need for multiple separate components and reducing installation space requirements.

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

2Reliability

If conventional installations with separate components are used, then the measurement capability is provided, but the investment costs and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas quality measurement capabilityVSAvoidspace requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the sampling device, pressure reducing device, and measuring device into a single compact unit. The sampling probe, connection line, pressure reducing device, and measuring device are all housed within one integrated structure, significantly reducing the space required for installation compared to conventional separate-component installations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a nested structure where the line connecting the sampling probe to the pressure reducing device is arranged internally within the integrated measuring device. This nesting minimizes external connections and reduces the overall footprint of the installation, allowing for compact mounting in limited spaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If conventional setups with large dead volumes are used, then the measurement function is achieved, but gas emissions increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement functionVSAvoidgas emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated design minimizes dead volume by combining all necessary components (sampling probe, line, pressure reducing device, measuring device) into a compact unit with short internal connections. This reduces the amount of gas that needs to be handled and minimizes emissions compared to conventional setups with extensive external piping and larger component volumes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure reducing device is integrated directly into the sampling line before the gas enters the measuring device. This preliminary pressure reduction within the integrated structure minimizes the volume of gas that needs to be transported and measured, thereby reducing emissions associated with gas handling in the measurement system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If conventional installations with extensive peripheral equipment are used, then the measurement capability is provided, but the assembly effort and installation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement capabilityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the sampling device, pressure reducing device, and measuring device into a single pre-assembled unit. This integration eliminates the need for complex on-site assembly of multiple separate components, significantly reducing installation time and effort while maintaining full measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated measuring device is designed to be pre-assembled and pre-tested as a complete unit before installation. The sampling probe, connection line, pressure reducing device, and measuring device are all configured and connected in advance, allowing for rapid installation by simply mounting the complete integrated unit at the desired location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary 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

The solution reduces installation time, minimizes emissions, and decreases the need for heated sampling lines, achieving a more reliable and efficient gas quality measurement with reduced space and operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

the measuring device has a gas chromatograph

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChromatography: Chromatography

Data Source

PatentEP3757565B1Device for measuring the quality of a gas flowing in a gas line
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 METER Q SOLUTIONS GMBH
  • EP3757565B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3757565B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device (1) for measuring the quality of a gas flowing in a gas line (2). The invention further relates to an arrangement comprising such a device (1) and a gas line (2). The device (1) comprises: - a sampling device (3) for extracting and conveying the gas flowing in the gas line (2), wherein the sampling device (3) has a sampling probe (4) that can be arranged in the gas line (2) for extracting the gas flowing in the gas line (2), wherein the sampling probe (4) has an inlet opening for introducing the gas flowing in the gas line (2) and a line (5) for conveying the gas extracted by means of the sampling probe (4); - a pressure reducing device (6) for reducing the pressure of the gas conveyed by means of the line (5) of the sampling device (3) from the sampling device (3) to the pressure reducing device (6).wherein the pressure reducing device (6) has a line (7) for conveying the pressure-reduced gas, - a measuring device (8) for measuring the quality of the gas conveyed from the pressure reducing device (6) to the measuring device (8) by means of the line (7) of the pressure reducing device (6), wherein the measuring device (8) has a gas chromatograph (9) and an inlet (10) for a carrier gas, - a storage device (11), wherein the storage device (11) is connectable to the gas line (2), wherein the extraction device (3), the pressure reducing device (6) and the measuring device (8) can be stored together in the gas line (2) by means of the storage device (11).