Gas Chromatography Sensor for Odorant Gas Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for maintaining odorant gas concentration in natural gas networks are inefficient, requiring frequent manual sampling and analysis with expensive, delicate equipment, and lack real-time measurement and control capabilities, leading to increased operating costs and potential false positives or undetected leaks.
Innovation Solution
A device using a gas chromatography sensor to measure odorant gas concentrations and a physical-mathematical model to optimize injector placement and control, incorporating data acquisition, simulation, and feedback control strategies to maintain precise odorant levels within the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If portable gas chromatographs are used for measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-measurement and self-control through automated gas chromatography sensors that continuously monitor odorant concentration and trigger injections automatically without technician intervention, making the system serve itself
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements closed-loop feedback control where gas chromatography sensors continuously measure odorant concentration, compare it against target ranges, and automatically control injectors to maintain concentration within specified intervals
2Measurement precision
If manual sampling and analysis are performed, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas chromatography sensors operate continuously to monitor odorant concentration in real-time, eliminating the discontinuous nature of manual sampling and enabling immediate detection and response to concentration deviations
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically performs measurement, analysis, and control without requiring technician presence, enabling real-time operation while maintaining high measurement precision through automated gas chromatography
3Ease of operation
If electrochemical cells are used for remote measurement, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces electrochemical sensing with gas chromatography-based measurement, substituting a less precise but more accurate measurement principle while maintaining remote operation through automated control
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves remote operation through full automation where gas chromatography sensors and injectors work autonomously without requiring technician presence, combining remote capability with high measurement precision
4Ease of operation
If optical techniques are used for in-line measurement, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces optical measurement techniques with gas chromatography-based measurement, substituting a less precise but more accurate measurement principle while maintaining in-line operation through automated sensor and injector integration
5Measurement precision
If technicians perform periodic checks, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous automated monitoring and control of odorant concentration, eliminating the periodic interruption caused by manual technician checks and maintaining high measurement precision through uninterrupted gas chromatography sensing
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-verification and self-adjustment through automated gas chromatography measurement and injector control, eliminating the need for technician intervention while maintaining measurement precision
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
Enables real-time, precise measurement and control of odorant gas concentrations, reducing operating costs and ensuring accurate detection of leaks by optimizing sensor placement and injector management, thereby maintaining odorant gas within predetermined intervals across the network.
Implementation Method 1
A device using a gas chromatography sensor to measure odorant gas concentrations
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention concerns a calculation method (1000) for the positioning of sensors for measuring an odorant gas in a natural gas network (2000), comprising the steps of: acquisition (1010) of data representing the physical state of the natural gas network (2000), simulation (1020) of the natural gas network (2000), calculation (1030) of the position of odorant gas sensors.