Electric Pump Gas Odorising System for Precise Dosage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas odorising systems in natural gas distribution networks face reliability issues due to variations in flow rates, inaccurate pressure adjustments, complex pneumatic management, limited dosage precision, and operational constraints, leading to imprecise odorant injection and system malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A gas odorising system utilizing an electric injector with a motor-driven pump to maintain constant injection pressure, allowing for precise dosage of liquid odorant based on demand, and featuring electronic management for remote control and monitoring, enabling the use of any commercially available odorant and ensuring optimal concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional lapping system is used for gas odorising, then the system structure is simple, but the reliability deteriorates due to continual variations in flow rate conditions making proper dosage impossible without continuous manual action
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical lapping system with an electric pump and electronic control system. The electric pump delivers liquid odorant based on electronic signals from a control unit that receives flow rate information, eliminating the need for mechanical lapping adjustments and continuous manual intervention while maintaining reliable dosage under varying flow conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring flow rate conditions and using this information to adjust the electric pump's odorant delivery. The control unit receives flow rate data and automatically adjusts the pump operation to maintain proper odorant concentration, resolving the reliability issue without requiring manual action.
2Measurement precision
If a pressurisable balance tank system is used, then the design is straightforward, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to inaccurate pressure adjustment leading to imprecise injection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic pressure adjustment system with an electrically controlled pump system. The electric pump provides precise control of odorant delivery through electronic regulation, eliminating the inaccuracies of pneumatic pressure adjustment while avoiding the complexity of pneumatic management systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing gas flow itself to drive the odorant delivery process. The electric pump is controlled based on flow rate measurements, allowing the system to self-regulate odorant injection precision without requiring separate pneumatic pressure management systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a pressurisable balance tank with pneumatic management is used, then the system can handle pressure variations, but the device complexity increases due to the need for complex pneumatic management systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex pneumatic management system with an electrically controlled pump and control unit. The system maintains adaptability to pressure and flow-rate variations by using electronic sensors and control logic, achieving the same versatility without pneumatic complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric pump and control unit serve multiple functions: they control odorant delivery, adapt to varying flow rates, and respond to different pressure conditions. This single integrated system replaces the multiple pneumatic components needed in traditional systems, reducing complexity while maintaining versatility.
4Productivity
If conventional lapping-type odorising devices are used, then the system is simple, but the productivity deteriorates due to minimum injection quantities being much greater than needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic dosing system where the electric pump adjusts odorant delivery in real-time based on actual flow rate conditions. This allows the system to deliver precisely the amount of odorant needed for each cubic meter of gas, eliminating the excessive minimum injection quantities required by static lapping systems and improving dosing efficiency.
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 provides reliable, precise, and versatile odorant injection, maintaining optimal concentration across varying flow rates, reducing maintenance needs, and ensuring safe and efficient operation with remote management capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
an electric pump for delivering the liquid odorant coming from a tank containing said liquid
Implementation Method 2
injecting a suitably vaporised liquid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A method and a system for odorising a gas fed into a main pipe (1) leading from a distributor station to a user by means of a device (14) for injecting a liquid odorant contained inside a lapping tank (6), pressurised at the same pressure value as the pipe (1). The system is characterised in that the delivery of the liquid odorant to said injection device (14) is unaffected by the pressure of the gas inside said main pipe (1) or by the pressure inside said pressurisable tank (6).