Electromagnetic Flow Meter Pixel Array for Non-Uniform Fluid Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electromagnetic flow meters are limited in measuring non-uniform flow profiles of conducting fluids, particularly in multiphase flows, and require hazardous materials, leading to inaccurate measurements and high costs.
Innovation Solution
An electromagnetic flow meter with an array of voltage detection electrodes dividing the flow cross-section into pixel regions, capable of measuring induced voltages across these regions, and processing means to calculate the axial velocity profile and volumetric flow rate, using multiple magnetic field projections and impedance cross-correlation techniques to handle both uniform and non-uniform flows without hazardous materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional electromagnetic flow meters are used to measure average flow rate, then the measurement is simple and cost-effective, but the measurement precision deteriorates when the fluid has a non-uniform flow profile
Solution Approach 1:
The flow cross-section is divided into multiple discrete regions called pixels, with each pixel having dedicated detection electrodes. This segmentation allows the system to measure velocity in each pixel region independently, capturing the non-uniform velocity distribution across the flow cross-section, thereby improving measurement precision for non-uniform flows while maintaining the electromagnetic induction principle for cost-effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from measuring a single average flow rate value to measuring velocity distribution across the two-dimensional flow cross-section. By implementing an array of electrode pairs that divide the cross-section into multiple pixels, the system captures spatial variations in velocity, effectively adding dimensional information to the measurement process
2Device complexity
If conventional electromagnetic flow meters with uniform magnetic field are used, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision deteriorates for non-uniform flow profiles
Solution Approach 1:
The flow cross-section is divided into multiple discrete regions called pixels, with each pixel having dedicated detection electrodes. This segmentation allows the system to measure velocity in each pixel region independently, capturing the non-uniform velocity distribution across the flow cross-section, thereby improving measurement precision for non-uniform flows while maintaining the electromagnetic induction principle for cost-effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs multiple magnetic field projections by varying the orientation and configuration of magnetic fields applied to the flow. By changing magnetic field parameters (direction, intensity distribution) and corresponding electrode configurations, the system can reconstruct two-dimensional velocity profiles from multiple one-dimensional measurements, improving measurement accuracy without requiring complex single-field solutions
3Measurement precision
If Horner's profile-insensitive multi-electrode induction flow meter is used, then the measurement precision for non-uniform flows is improved, but the ability to determine axial velocity profile is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The flow cross-section is divided into multiple discrete regions called pixels, with each pixel having dedicated detection electrodes. This segmentation allows the system to measure velocity in each pixel region independently, capturing the non-uniform velocity distribution across the flow cross-section, thereby improving measurement precision for non-uniform flows while maintaining the electromagnetic induction principle for cost-effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces processing means that acts as an intermediary between the electrode measurements and the final velocity profile determination. This processing means reconstructs the two-dimensional velocity profile by combining measurements from multiple electrode pairs and magnetic field projections, thereby preserving velocity profile information that would otherwise be lost in simple average flow rate measurements
4Measurement precision
If other known types of flow meters suitable for multiphase fluids are used, then the measurement precision for conducting phase flow is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase due to hazardous radioactive sources
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces hazardous radioactive sources with electromagnetic induction-based measurement. By using magnetic fields and electrode arrays to detect induced voltages in the conducting fluid, the system achieves accurate multiphase flow measurement without requiring radioactive materials, thereby reducing device complexity and eliminating hazardous substance handling while maintaining measurement precision for the conducting phase
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 provides accurate measurement of axial velocity profiles and volumetric flow rates with an error margin of +/-0.5% for non-uniform flows, compared to +/-3.5% for conventional meters, and is cost-effective and non-invasive, suitable for various industrial applications.
Implementation Method 1
electromagnetic coils are located outside the flow pipe to create a magnetic field, two electrodes are mounted in the flow pipe wall to detect the induced voltage
Implementation Method 2
Electromagnetic flow meters utilise Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction to induce a voltage in the conducting fluid as it moves through a magnetic field
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b~2c
AI summary
The invention relates to an means and method for monitoring the flow of a fluid. The invention relates to an electromagnetic flow meter and method for measuring the axial velocity profile of a conducting fluid. The conducting fluid may be a conducting single phase fluid or a conducting continuous phase of a multiphase fluid. The conducting fluid may have a uniform flow profile or a non-uniform flow profile. The electromagnetic flow meter and method measure the axial velocity profile of a conducting fluid by dividing the flow cross section into multiple pixels and determining the axial velocity of the conducting fluid in each pixel. Having. derived the axial velocity profile, the electromagnetic flow meter and method may further derive the volumetric flow rate of the conducting fluid. The electromagnetic flow meter and method may be suitable for measuring the axial velocity profile and optionally the volumetric flow rates of each phase of a multiphase fluid.