Coriolis Mass Flow Metering for Gas Cylinder Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual process of filling gas cylinders is time-consuming and inefficient, requiring continuous monitoring of weight, temperature, and pressure, leading to increased operating costs and lost time.
Innovation Solution
An automated system that uses a gas source, target cylinders, conduits, mass flow meters, and transmitters to control valve positions, ensuring precise filling of gas based on pre-determined mass flow rates and cumulative mass measurements, with features like Automatic Overshoot Compensation to enhance accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual weighing and monitoring methods are used to fill gas cylinders, then measurement accuracy can be maintained at 1/100 gram level, but the filling process becomes time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical weighing operations with an automated mass flow metering system that uses electronic sensors and control mechanisms to measure and control gas flow, eliminating the need for manual weighing and monitoring while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-regulating automated control where the mass flow meter continuously monitors gas flow and the control system automatically adjusts valve positions to maintain precise dosing without operator intervention, allowing the system to service itself during the filling process
2Measurement precision
If manual monitoring of weight, temperature, and pressure is performed continuously, then filling accuracy can be maintained, but operating costs increase due to operator time and equipment idle time
Solution Approach 1:
The mass flow meter serves multiple functions simultaneously - it measures mass flow rate, monitors cumulative mass, provides feedback to the control system, and enables automated valve control, replacing multiple separate monitoring functions that would otherwise require separate devices and operator attention
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback control where the mass flow meter provides real-time data to the control system, which automatically adjusts valve positions to maintain the desired mass flow rate and achieve precise dosing, eliminating the need for manual monitoring while maintaining high accuracy
3Ease of operation
If conventional weight-based filling methods are used, then operator control over filling process is maintained, but the process is slow and results in lost time for both operator and equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The automated control system takes over the filling operation, using the mass flow meter data to self-regulate valve positions and maintain precise dosing without operator intervention, freeing the operator from manual tasks while maintaining or improving accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual operator control mechanisms with automated electronic control systems that use mass flow meter feedback to precisely control valve positions and gas flow, transferring control from human operators to automated systems
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 system significantly reduces filling time and increases accuracy, achieving precision within 500 ppb to 5,000 ppm, compared to the 1/100 gram accuracy of conventional weight-based methods, while minimizing operator intervention and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
Coriolis dosing system for filling gas cylinders
Data Source
AI summary
In a system including a gas source, a target cylinder for receiving gas, a conduit for carrying gas, and a valve for controlling the flow of gas, a method of dosing the target cylinder with gas is disclosed. The method comprises the step of calculating a mass flow rate for dosing the conduit and the target cylinder. The valve is biased to an open position to permit gas to flow through the conduit and into the target cylinder. The mass flow rate and the cumulative mass of gas flowing through the conduit are measured using a mass flow meter. The valve is biased to maintain the measured mass flow rate of gas flowing through the conduit substantially equivalent to the calculated mass flow rate. The valve is biased to a closed position once the measured cumulative mass of gas is substantially equivalent to the pre-determined mass of gas.