Vibratory Flow Meter Fluid Temperature Derivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vibratory flow meters, such as Coriolis mass flow meters, face challenges in accurately measuring fluid temperature due to poor mounting of temperature sensors, which leads to heat transfer issues and measurement errors, and the meter temperature may not accurately reflect the fluid temperature, especially in fluids with high heat capacity, resulting in inaccurate vibration mode measurements.
Innovation Solution
A vibratory flow meter system that includes a meter temperature sensor, an ambient temperature sensor, and electronics to determine a derived fluid temperature using the meter and ambient temperatures, employing a temperature error coefficient to correct for measurement inaccuracies and detect coating levels within the flow conduits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is mounted on the flow meter to measure meter temperature, then the meter temperature can be measured, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to poor mounting and heat transfer issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by measuring both the meter temperature (Tm) and ambient temperature (Ta) separately, then using these as inputs to a thermal model to derive the fluid temperature. This avoids the need for direct sensor mounting in the fluid stream, eliminating the heat transfer issues associated with poor mounting while still achieving accurate fluid temperature measurement through the intermediary thermal model.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct mechanical contact temperature measurement system with a thermal modeling approach. Instead of relying on physical sensor mounting in the fluid path, the system uses a thermal model that calculates fluid temperature based on meter temperature and ambient temperature measurements, substituting the mechanical measurement system with a computational one.
2Ease of operation
If the meter temperature is used directly as fluid temperature, then the measurement is simple, but the accuracy deteriorates when the meter temperature does not accurately reflect the fluid temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thermal model as an intermediary between the simple meter temperature measurement and the required fluid temperature accuracy. The model takes Tm and Ta as inputs and computes Tf-deriv, maintaining the simplicity of the measurement system while achieving accurate fluid temperature determination through the intermediary calculation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from directly using a single temperature parameter (Tm) to using multiple temperature parameters (Tm and Ta) in a thermal model. This parameter transformation allows the system to maintain measurement simplicity while improving accuracy by considering the thermal relationship between the meter, ambient environment, and fluid.
3Measurement precision
If temperature compensation is applied to correct for temperature-related changes in flow conduit stiffness, then measurement accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical temperature compensation systems with a computational approach. Instead of using additional mechanical components or complex hardware to compensate for temperature effects on conduit stiffness, the system uses a thermal model to calculate the derived fluid temperature, which is then used to compensate for temperature-related changes in the flow measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the derived fluid temperature (Tf-deriv) as an intermediary parameter that mediates between the raw temperature measurements and the final compensated flow measurements. This intermediary allows temperature compensation to be applied in a systematic way that improves accuracy without requiring complex additional hardware.
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
This solution provides accurate determination of fluid temperature, improves measurement accuracy by compensating for temperature-related changes in flow conduit stiffness, and enables detection of coating levels, ensuring precise mass flow and density measurements while minimizing errors.
Implementation Method 1
a meter temperature sensor configured to measure a meter temperature
Implementation Method 2
an ambient temperature sensor configured to measure an ambient temperature
Implementation Method 3
Poor temperature sensor mounting lowers the heat transfer through the meter and results in temperature measurement errors
Data Source
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AI summary
A vibratory flow meter (5) for determining a derived fluid temperature Tf-derive of a flow material is provided according to the invention. The vibratory flow meter (5) includes a flow meter assembly (10) including one or more flow conduits (103), a meter temperature sensor (204) configured to measure a meter temperature Tm, an ambient temperature sensor (208) for measuring an ambient temperature Ta, and meter electronics (20) coupled to the meter temperature sensor (204) and to the ambient temperature sensor (208). The meter electronics (20) is configured to receive the meter temperature Tm and the ambient temperature Ta and determine the derived fluid temperature Tf-deriv of the flow material in the vibratory flow meter (5) using the meter temperature Tm and the ambient temperature Ta.