Cryogenic Flow Meter Assembly for Two-Phase Flow Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cryogenic fluid dispensing systems face inaccuracies due to two-phase flow, which is often addressed by bulky phase separators or expensive optical sensors, causing complications and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A flow meter assembly with integrated differential pressure, temperature, and pressure transmitters, along with a controller, detects subcooling or two-phase flow by monitoring temperature and pressure, ensuring accurate dispensing by preventing vapor displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a phase separator is used upstream of the flow meter to detect two-phase flow, then two-phase flow detection capability is improved, but device complexity and system size increase due to the bulky phase separator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the two-phase flow detection function from the bulky mechanical phase separator and implements it through a compact sensor assembly containing temperature, pressure, and differential pressure transmitters. This extraction eliminates the need for large phase separation equipment while maintaining detection capability through electronic sensing of flow conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical phase separator system with an electronic sensing system comprising temperature transmitters, pressure transmitters, and differential pressure transmitters. This substitution transitions from mechanical separation to electronic detection, significantly reducing system size and complexity while maintaining two-phase flow detection accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If optical sensors are used to detect vapor content in the liquid, then two-phase flow detection accuracy is improved, but device cost increases due to the expensive and calibration-requiring optical sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive optical sensors with more economical transmitters including temperature transmitters, pressure transmitters, and differential pressure transmitters. These alternative sensors provide the necessary measurement capability at lower cost and without the calibration requirements associated with optical sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from optical properties (absorbed by expensive optical sensors) to physical parameters such as temperature, pressure, and differential pressure. This parameter change enables the use of more cost-effective transmitters while maintaining the ability to detect two-phase flow conditions through thermodynamic relationships.
3Productivity
If two-phase flow is not detected and prevented, then continuous dispensing operation is maintained, but metering accuracy deteriorates due to vapor displacement causing over registration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the controller continuously receives data from temperature transmitters, pressure transmitters, and differential pressure transmitters. The controller processes this data to detect two-phase flow conditions and provides feedback by preventing metering operation when two-phase flow is detected, thereby maintaining metering accuracy while allowing continuous operation under proper conditions.
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 accurately measures and prevents two-phase flow, maintaining liquid state during dispensing, thereby enhancing metering precision and reducing system complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
a differential pressure transmitter, a pressure transmitter, a temperature transmitter
Implementation Method 2
monitoring a temperature and a discharge pressure of the cryogenic fluid
Implementation Method 3
determining a saturation pressure of the cryogenic fluid flowing in the dispensing line using the monitored temperature, comparing the discharge pressure to the saturation pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A flow meter assembly for a dispensing line includes a differential pressure transmitter, a pressure transmitter, a temperature transmitter and a controller in communication with each transmitter. The controller is configured to use data collected from the transmitters to determine if there is subcooling or two-phase flow of a fluid flowing through the dispensing line and to meter fluid flowing through the dispensing line if there is subcooling or no two-phase flow.