Cooling for industrial process variable transmitters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressure transmitters face errors and failure at high temperatures, especially during cleaning processes like CIP and SIP, due to overheating of electronic components, leading to substantial measurement errors and slow recovery.
Innovation Solution
The use of a phase change material and thermal electric cooling elements in the pressure transmitter assembly to reduce heat transfer from the process fluid to the sensor, allowing the device to operate reliably at higher temperatures without the need for remote seals, and ensuring minimal error and quick recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the transmitter is located remotely from the process fluid using a long capillary tube, then the transmitter can operate in high temperature environments, but the device complexity and measurement precision deteriorate due to errors and slow response
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase change material that transitions between solid and liquid states to absorb and dissipate heat from the process fluid, protecting the transmitter components from high temperatures without requiring remote installation. This phase transition mechanism enables the transmitter to withstand temperatures exceeding traditional limits while maintaining a compact, integrated design.
2Temperature
If the transmitter is located remotely from the process fluid using a long capillary tube, then the transmitter can operate in high temperature environments, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material absorbs excess heat through phase transition, maintaining stable temperatures for sensing elements and electronic components. This thermal regulation prevents measurement drift and errors that would otherwise occur in high-temperature environments, ensuring accurate pressure measurements during cleaning processes and normal operation.
3Temperature
If the transmitter is located remotely from the process fluid using a long capillary tube, then the transmitter can operate in high temperature environments, but the response time deteriorates due to slow recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material provides rapid thermal response by transitioning between phases to quickly absorb or release heat as needed. During cleaning processes, the material rapidly absorbs heat spikes, and during normal operation, it quickly dissipates heat, enabling the transmitter to recover rapidly from temperature excursions and maintain accurate measurements without the time delays associated with long capillary tubes.
4Temperature
If conventional cooling methods are used, then the transmitter can operate at higher temperatures, but the device complexity and reliability worsen due to overheating of electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material provides passive thermal protection that reliably prevents overheating of electronic components and sensing elements. The material's phase transition occurs at a predetermined temperature, automatically activating cooling without requiring complex control systems or additional power, thereby maintaining high reliability in high-temperature cleaning processes and operation.
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 enhances the high-temperature capability and reliability of pressure transmitters, reducing measurement errors and improving speed of return to baseline operation, while maintaining accurate pressure measurement during cleaning processes.
Implementation Method 1
A phase change material carried in the process coupling is configured to reduce heat transfer from the industrial process to the process variable sensor by changing phase in response to heat from the industrial process
Implementation Method 2
a phase change material and thermal electric cooling elements in the pressure transmitter assembly to reduce heat transfer from the process fluid to the sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A pressure transmitter assembly (100) for measuring a process pressure of an industrial process includes a pressure sensor (500) configured to sense the process pressure. A process coupling couples (106) the pressure sensor (500) to the industrial process. In one example configuration, a phase change material (312) carried in the process coupling (106) is configured to reduce heat transfer from the industrial process to the process variable sensor by changing phase in response to heat from the industrial process. In another example configuration, a thermocouple electric cooling element (122) is coupled to the process coupling (106) and configured to conduct heat away from the coupling (106) in response to an applied electric current.