Energy autonomous gas flow meter
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial flow meters in hazardous environments face power limitations due to safety constraints, and battery-powered meters require frequent replacement, leading to inefficiencies and increased labor costs.
Innovation Solution
A gas flow meter system that incorporates an energy harvesting device, such as a turbine or thermoelectric generator, to convert gas flow energy into electrical energy, powering the meter and storing it for later use, eliminating the need for frequent battery replacements and enhancing transmission rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If powerlines are used to power flow meters, then power supply is available, but power transmission is limited in hazardous environments for safety purposes
Solution Approach 1:
The flow meter system harvests energy from the gas flow itself to power its own operation. The turbine converts kinetic energy from the flowing gas into electrical energy, which is then stored in an energy storage device and used to power the flow meter components, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for external power transmission lines that pose safety hazards in hazardous environments.
2Ease of operation
If battery-powered flow meters are used, then portability is improved, but batteries require periodic checking and replacement when depleted
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using disposable batteries that need replacement, the system continuously recovers energy from the gas flow through the turbine. The generated electrical energy is stored in an energy storage device and reused to power the flow meter, creating a sustainable energy cycle that eliminates the need for periodic battery replacement and reduces maintenance time.
3Reliability
If energy harvesting device is added to flow meter, then power autonomy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine serves multiple functions: it acts as both the energy harvesting device to generate electrical energy from gas flow and as the sensing mechanism to measure flow rate. By detecting the rotational speed of the turbine, the system determines flow characteristics. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving power autonomy.
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 enables continuous and efficient monitoring of gas flow by harnessing energy from the flow itself, reducing labor costs and increasing functionality by providing a reliable power source, even during periods of low flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
The turbine can include a rotor with a magnet, and a stator with an electrical (or conductive) coil. The rotor is configured to rotate due to gas flow thereby generating current, on the electrical coil
Implementation Method 2
a thermoelectric generator to convert heat generated from the gas flow passing through the differential pressure conduit to electrical energy
Implementation Method 3
an energy storage device for storing electrical energy generated by the energy harvesting device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A flow meter system and method are provided for monitoring gas flow in a conduit. The flow meter system includes a plurality of components including: a sensor for sensing a flow rate of the gas flow; a communication device for transmitting information corresponding to the sensed flow rate to a remote device; an energy harvesting device for producing electrical energy from the gas flow to power operation of the communication device or other component of the flow meter system; and an energy storage device for storing electrical energy generated by the energy harvesting device.