Eccentric Venturi Flow Measurement Device for Landfill Gas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas flow measurement devices in landfill environments face challenges due to low pressures and the presence of wet, dirty gases with particulates, leading to inaccurate readings, clogging, and increased maintenance, particularly in well head applications where minimal pressure loss and unobstructed liquid passage are critical.
Innovation Solution
An eccentric Venturi flow measuring device designed using airfoil principles, which minimizes disruption of fluid flow and allows unobstructed passage of liquids and debris, maintaining accurate flow measurements with reduced maintenance and downtime by constriction of the flow pipe from 40% to 90% while minimizing differential pressure loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional flow measurement devices are used in landfill environments, then gas flow measurements can be obtained, but the devices experience clogging, inaccurate readings, and increased maintenance due to low pressures and wet, dirty gases with particulates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an eccentric Venturi design where the throat is offset from the center of the pipe, creating an asymmetric flow path. This asymmetry allows liquid to drain to the bottom of the pipe while gas flows through the upper portion, preventing liquid accumulation and clogging in the measurement device while maintaining accurate flow measurements for gas service
2Measurement precision
If conventional flow measurement devices constrict the flow pipe, then flow measurements can be obtained, but significant pressure loss occurs which is critical in low vacuum landfill environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a Venturi design with smooth, curved transitions in the converging and diverging sections of the flow path. These curved geometries minimize flow separation and turbulence, reducing energy losses and pressure drop while still providing sufficient constriction to generate measurable differential pressure for accurate flow measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the constriction ratio and throat dimensions of the Venturi device to achieve the necessary differential pressure for measurement while minimizing overall pressure loss. The eccentric configuration allows for parameter optimization that balances measurement sensitivity with pressure conservation in low vacuum environments
3Productivity
If conventional flow measurement devices are installed in landfill well heads, then gas flow monitoring is achieved, but the devices require frequent maintenance and cause facility downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the liquid drainage function from the traditional centralized liquid removal system by incorporating direct drainage capability into the Venturi device itself through the eccentric design. This allows liquid to be continuously removed at the point of potential accumulation, eliminating the need for frequent manual intervention and maintenance while ensuring continuous operational availability
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 device provides accurate and reliable gas flow measurements over a wide range, reducing maintenance costs and facility downtime, with minimal pressure loss and unobstructed liquid passage, enhancing confidence in flow measurement in low vacuum environments.
Implementation Method 1
An eccentric Venturi flow measuring device designed using airfoil principles, which minimizes disruption of fluid flow and allows unobstructed passage of liquids and debris, maintaining accurate flow measurements with reduced maintenance and downtime by constriction of the flow pipe from 40% to 90% while minimizing differential pressure loss
Implementation Method 2
The change in pressure created as fluid passes over the air foil-designed device is utilized to calculate an accurate flow measurement
Data Source
AI summary
An eccentric, smoothly tapered body for installation into cylindrical pipe to cause a constriction in the pipe to facilitate measuring the flow of fluid through the pipe. The body defines a flow constrictor having a smoothly tapered inner surface having a leading edge and a trailing edge and an apex therebetween. A bore extends through the flow constrictor at the apex. Pressure is measured at the bore at the apex and upstream of the flow constrictor and flow rate is calculated from the pressure differential therebetween.