Compressed-Gas Tank Sampling Connection for Fast Dry Gas Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analysis devices for compressed gases in storage, such as breathing air cylinders, are costly and unreliable for quickly and accurately measuring gas components and humidity due to high maintenance requirements and moisture accumulation, especially when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A cost-effective analysis device with a connecting element under pressure, equipped with a desiccant and moisture-repellent materials, allows for rapid pre-drying and connection to a gas processing and evaluation system, enabling quick and reliable measurement of gas components and humidity using a dew point sensor, with optional RFID identification and remote data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate gas measuring device with dew point sensor is used to measure gas components and humidity in compressed gas storage, then measurement accuracy is improved, but acquisition and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gas measuring device is designed to serve multiple functions: it measures gas components during compressor operation and also measures gas components and humidity in stored compressed gas. The device is universally applicable to both operating and stored states, eliminating the need for separate measurement systems and reducing overall costs while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Reliability
If the gas measuring device is used during compressor operation with continuous gas flow, then measurement reliability is improved, but moisture accumulation in the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
A purge mechanism is implemented that actively removes moisture from the supply lines before measurements are taken during stored gas analysis. The system performs preliminary purging action to clear accumulated moisture, ensuring that subsequent measurements are not contaminated by moisture while maintaining the ability to perform reliable measurements during operation.
3Ease of operation
If the connecting element is exposed to atmospheric humidity during standstill, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to moisture influence
Solution Approach 1:
A moisture barrier element is introduced as an intermediary between the atmospheric environment and the sensor system. This barrier allows the connecting element to remain accessible and easy to connect while preventing atmospheric humidity from reaching the sensor, thus maintaining both ease of operation and measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements preliminary protective action by maintaining the sensor system in a dry state through the moisture barrier even before measurements are taken. This preliminary protection against moisture ingress ensures that when measurements are performed, the sensor is already in the correct dry state, eliminating the need for lengthy drying periods while maintaining accuracy.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor system is exposed to atmospheric humidity, then adaptability is improved, but measurement wait time increases due to required drying period
Solution Approach 1:
The moisture barrier serves as a permanent intermediary that allows the sensor system to adapt to atmospheric conditions without actually exposing the sensor to moisture. The barrier enables environmental adaptability while preventing the moisture ingress that would require drying time, thus eliminating the wait time penalty.
Solution Approach 2:
The moisture barrier provides continuous preliminary protection, keeping the sensor system in a dry state before measurements are required. This preliminary action eliminates the need for post-exposure drying periods, allowing measurements to be taken immediately without time loss while maintaining environmental adaptability.
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 reduces acquisition and maintenance costs, shortens measurement wait times, and provides accurate, moisture-influenced-free readings by maintaining the sensor system in a dry state and integrating it with the compressor system for continuous monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
the connecting element comprises a desiccant, preferably in the atmospheric range
Implementation Method 2
The desiccant can be used to keep the pre-drying of atmospherically exposed components dry during standstill
Implementation Method 3
Gas measuring devices, especially those that also measure humidity, for example, using a dew point sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to an analysis device for compressed gases in a compressed-gas tank, such as a breathing-air cylinder or the like, for determining gas components, more particularly CO, CO2, O2, VOC, SO2, NO, NO2, helium and moisture, having a removal appliance which can be connected to the compressed-gas tank, characterised in that the removal appliance comprises a connection element which is under the pressure of the compressed gas to be analysed in the compressed-gas tank and can be connected to a gas treatment appliance having a gas measuring and evaluating appliance for determining the desired gas components, the connection element is also pressurised when not connected to the compressed-gas tank, preferably by means of a shut-off valve, and the gas treatment appliance and the gas measuring and evaluating appliance are further also configured to monitor and analyse the compressed gases dispensed by a compressor to fill a compressed-gas tank.