Fluid Meter Infrared Spectroscopy Composition Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas metering systems are imprecise in billing gas consumption due to variations in gas composition and lack of real-time energy conversion, as they rely on static composition measurements that do not accurately reflect the gas supplied to installations.
Innovation Solution
A fluid meter with integrated infrared spectroscopy for precise composition measurement, using a chamber with infrared emitter and receiver, and a Venturi effect duct to ensure accurate and dynamic composition evaluation, which is compact and non-intrusive, allowing for precise energy conversion and billing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If static composition measurements are used from network entrance points, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of fluid composition deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the composition measurement function directly into the fluid meter by integrating an infrared chamber and spectroscopy device within the meter housing. This allows the meter to simultaneously measure both flow rate and composition at the exact point of consumption, eliminating the need for separate network-wide composition monitoring systems while providing precise, location-specific composition data for accurate billing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary sampling chamber that extracts a portion of the fluid through a duct opening upstream of the flow measuring device. This chamber serves as a mediator between the main flow and the infrared measurement path, allowing composition analysis without disrupting the main flow measurement and providing real-time composition data at the consumption point.
2Reliability
If infrared emitter and receiver are positioned in chamber away from inlet, then dust deposition on infrared components increases, but measurement stability improves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the inlet orifice specifically close to the infrared emitter or receiver rather than uniformly distributing inlets. This creates a localized sweep effect where the incoming fluid directly cleans the specific infrared component that needs protection, while the rest of the chamber maintains conditions optimal for measurement stability.
3Device complexity
If composition measurement is performed at network entrance points, then device complexity is reduced, but billing accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the fluid meter multi-functional by integrating both flow rate measurement and composition analysis capabilities within a single device. This universal meter simultaneously performs dynamic flow measurement and real-time composition sampling at the exact point of consumption, enabling accurate energy calculation that accounts for both volume and varying composition, thereby improving billing accuracy without requiring separate network-wide monitoring infrastructure.
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 precise and dynamic measurement of gas composition, ensuring accurate energy conversion and billing, while maintaining the precision of flow rate measurement and preventing dust deposition on the infrared components.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared emitter and an infrared receiver located in the chamber and arranged to measure the composition of the portion of fluid by infrared spectroscopy
Implementation Method 2
a duct placing the chamber and the main channel in communication, the duct being arranged so that the portion of fluid is sucked from the chamber by the Venturi effect to escape from the chamber and enter the main channel
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a fluid meter comprising a channel (5), a flow measurement device and a device for measuring a fluid consumption, comprising: - partitions (15a, 15b, 16a, 16b, 17, 18) defining a chamber (14); - at least one inlet opening (27a, 27b) produced in one of the partitions; - an infrared emitter (25) and an infrared receiver (26) situated in the chamber and arranged to measure the composition of a portion of the fluid by infrared spectroscopy; - a duct (32) connecting the chamber and the main channel, the duct being arranged so that the portion of fluid is sucked from the chamber by the Venturi effect in order to escape from the chamber and penetrate into the main channel, the duct opening into the main channel upstream of the inlet opening and upstream of the flow measurement device.