Differential Pressure Pulsation Diagnostics for Accurate Flow Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial fluid processing systems face inefficiencies due to pressure pulsations in fluid flows, which affect flow rate measurements and are economically significant in applications like custody transfer, where existing diagnostics fail to effectively monitor pulsations across a wide frequency band.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a primary element for generating differential pressure and a processor that calculates the standard deviation of this pressure to provide a pulsation diagnostic, indicating the degree of process pulsations, including changes in amplitude and frequency, enabling monitoring and potential alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressure-based flow sensors are used to measure fluid flow, then flow measurement capability is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates due to pressure pulsations affecting the differential pressure readings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by continuously monitoring differential pressure readings and comparing them against expected values based on flow rate. When deviations indicating pulsations are detected, the system generates diagnostic alerts and can trigger compensatory actions to maintain measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary diagnostic system that acts as a mediator between the pressure sensor and the measurement output. This intermediary layer analyzes the differential pressure signal, identifies pulsation patterns, and separates them from genuine flow changes, allowing accurate flow measurement even in the presence of pulsations.
2Measurement precision
If existing diagnostic methods are used to monitor process pulsations, then some pulsation detection is possible, but diagnostic sensitivity is insufficient across a wide frequency band
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal diagnostic system that can detect and analyze pulsations across a broad frequency spectrum. The differential pressure sensor and analysis algorithm are designed to be frequency-agnostic, automatically adapting to detect pulsations whether they occur at low frequencies (e.g., pump cycles) or high frequencies (e.g., valve chatter), making the system versatile for various process conditions.
3Productivity
If pressure pulsations are present in fluid flow, then fluid processing operations continue, but operating efficiency decreases and economic losses occur due to measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing pulsation diagnostics and alerts before measurement errors can significantly impact operations. The system continuously monitors for pulsation conditions and provides early warning, allowing operators to take corrective actions (such as adjusting pump speeds or valve positions) before measurement accuracy deteriorates to the point of causing economic losses.
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
This solution effectively diagnoses and monitors fluid flow pulsations, improving measurement accuracy and operational efficiency by providing real-time feedback on pulsation changes, thus optimizing process control and reducing economic losses associated with pulsation-induced errors.
Implementation Method 1
a primary element for generating a differential pressure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A process pulsation diagnostic system (10) comprises a primary element (13), a sensor (12, 21) and a processor (12, 23). The primary element (13) generates a differential pressure along a fluid flow. The sensor (12, 21) samples the differential pressure. The processor (12, 23) generates a pulsation diagnostic based on a standard deviation of the differential pressure, such that the pulsation diagnostic is indicative of a degree of process pulsation in the fluid flow.