Coriolis Flowmeter Diagnostic System for Wear Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Coriolis flowmeters face measurement inaccuracies and potential catastrophic failure due to physical changes in the flowtube caused by corrosive, abrasive, or caustic fluids, leading to wear and damage, which are not detected by existing meter verification systems.

Innovation Solution

A diagnostic system is integrated into the Coriolis flowmeter to perform tests for detecting physical changes in the flowtube, such as changes in resonant frequencies or vibrational modes, and evaluates the reliability of these tests using process condition information, outputting results and reliability indications to prevent measurement inaccuracies and failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional Coriolis flowmeters are used to measure mass flow rate and density, then measurement capability is provided, but measurement accuracy deteriorates over time due to physical changes in the flowtube from wear and damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidflowtube integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The diagnostic system performs preliminary testing to detect physical changes in the flowtube before they cause measurement inaccuracies or catastrophic failure. By continuously monitoring vibrational characteristics and comparing them against baseline values, the system identifies degradation trends early, allowing for preventive maintenance before measurement accuracy deteriorates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback about the health status of the flowtube through diagnostic tests that continuously monitor physical changes. The diagnostic system compares current vibrational characteristics with baseline values and provides indications of reliability, enabling operators to take corrective action before measurement accuracy is compromised.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If meter verification systems are implemented to monitor calibration accuracy, then measurement reliability is improved, but the systems cannot detect physical changes in the flowtube that lead to catastrophic failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidflowtube damage from corrosive fluids

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The diagnostic system acts as an intermediary between the flowtube and the measurement system. It performs specialized tests to detect physical changes in the flowtube structure before these changes affect measurement accuracy or cause catastrophic failure, providing early warning of harmful factors like corrosion and wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces reliance on mechanical verification of calibration accuracy with a diagnostic approach that uses vibrational analysis and physical property monitoring to detect flowtube degradation. This substitution allows detection of physical changes before they impact measurement reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If the flowtube is exposed to corrosive, abrasive, or caustic fluids for continuous operation, then productivity is maintained, but the flowtube suffers wear and damage that compromises measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidflowtube strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The diagnostic system performs preliminary detection of physical changes in the flowtube while the meter operates continuously. By monitoring vibrational characteristics and comparing them to baseline values, the system identifies wear and damage before they compromise flowtube strength or measurement accuracy, allowing continuous operation to be maintained safely.

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 diagnostic system effectively detects physical changes in the flowtube, ensuring measurement accuracy and preventing catastrophic failures by providing timely indications for maintenance, thus enhancing the reliability and longevity of the flowmeter.

Implementation Method 1

In a conventional Coriolis flowmeter, fluid flows through one or more conduits (broadly, a flowtube) as one or more drivers oscillates the conduits

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOscillation:

Implementation Method 2

Two or more sensors detect the motion of the flowtube at different locations along the flowtube. Forces associated with acceleration of fluid flowing through the oscillating flowtube produce a phase difference in the signals from the sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase difference detection:

Implementation Method 3

The resonant frequency of the flowtube varies with density of the fluid in the flowtube. Thus, a Coriolis meter can also provide a measure of density by tracking the resonant frequency of the flowtube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS9989400B2Method to provide a quality measure for meter verification results

Publication Date: 2018.06.05 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC SYSTEMS USA INC

AI summary

A system for evaluating a flow rate measurement includes a flowmeter and a diagnostic system. The diagnostic system is configured to perform a diagnostic test for detecting a physical change in the flowmeter that could impair operation of the flowmeter, output a result of the diagnostic test, evaluate a reliability of the diagnostic test using information about a process condition, and output an indication of the reliability of the diagnostic test.