Gas Density Sensor Control for Three-Component Mixture Blending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring gas mixture composition with more than two components are expensive, require extensive equipment and maintenance, and often involve long response times, limiting their applicability, especially when trying to determine the composition of gas mixtures with three or more components.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing gas density sensors, in conjunction with pressure and temperature measurements, to accurately calculate the molecular weight and composition of gas mixtures with three or more components, allowing for the determination of relative component proportions, even when the components' molecular weights are known.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If infrared or laser measurement techniques or gas chromatography are used to measure gas composition of multi-component mixtures, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions (density measurement, temperature measurement, pressure measurement) into a single integrated sensor system. This merging of functions allows the system to measure multi-component gas composition without requiring separate expensive instruments like gas chromatographs or laser measurement devices, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is designed to universally measure various gas mixtures (binary, tertiary, and beyond) by combining density, temperature, and pressure measurements. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for component-specific measurement devices, reducing overall system complexity while enabling precise composition analysis of different gas mixtures.
2Measurement precision
If pump and sampling systems are used to obtain gas samples for analysis, then measurement capability is improved, but response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from complex sampling systems by using a simplified sensor that can measure gas composition directly in the process stream. By removing the need for external pumps and sampling infrastructure, the system achieves fast response times while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system performs self-service measurement by directly sensing gas composition, temperature, and pressure at the measurement location without requiring external sampling infrastructure. This eliminates the time delay associated with pumping and transporting gas samples, enabling real-time composition monitoring.
3Measurement precision
If various measurement technologies are combined into one analysis unit to measure concentration of each component, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges density measurement, temperature measurement, and pressure measurement capabilities into a single integrated sensor unit. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components that require maintenance, while the combination of these measurements enables precise calculation of molecular weight and gas composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses parameter changes (measuring density, temperature, and pressure) to calculate molecular weight and determine gas composition. By relying on fundamental physical parameters rather than complex component-specific measurements, the system achieves accurate composition analysis with a simpler, more maintainable sensor design.
4Measurement precision
If expensive equipment like infrared or laser measurement techniques are used, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs relatively inexpensive density, temperature, and pressure sensors instead of costly infrared or laser measurement equipment. While individual sensor components are simpler and cheaper, their combined use enables accurate multi-component gas composition measurement, achieving cost-effectiveness without sacrificing measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves precise gas composition measurement by measuring fundamental physical parameters (density, temperature, pressure) that can be obtained with inexpensive sensors. By calculating molecular weight from these parameter changes rather than using expensive direct measurement techniques, the system reduces equipment cost while maintaining measurement accuracy.
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 approach provides a cost-effective and reliable method for measuring gas mixtures with multiple components, offering improved accuracy and response times compared to existing technologies, making it suitable for various industrial applications.
Implementation Method 1
Gas density sensors are used to measure composition of binary gas mixture
Implementation Method 2
A thermal conductivity based sensor can be used as a binary gas mixture analyzer. For example, because hydrogen has a larger thermal conductivity than nitrogen
Implementation Method 3
By measuring pressure, temperature, and gas density together, the molecular weight of gas can be accurately calculated
Implementation Method 4
By measuring pressure, temperature, and gas density together, the molecular weight of gas can be accurately calculated
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for controlling blending of a gas mixture containing known components, including first, second, and third control valves for controlling the flow of first, second, and third components, respectively, a first gas density sensor to measure the density of a first mixture of the first and second components, a second gas density sensor to measure the density of a second mixture of the first mixture and the third component, and a controller to determine based on data from the first and second gas density sensors the relative compositions of the first, second, and third components in the second mixture, and to control the first, second, and third control valves to obtain a desired relative composition of the first, second, and third components in the second mixture.