Automated Gas Distribution Measurement for Electrostatic Precipitators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gas distribution measurement in electrostatic precipitators is time-consuming, inaccurate, and poses safety risks due to manual data collection in a dusty and confined environment, often requiring operators to climb high and navigate small spaces, leading to reduced data quality and increased health risks.

Innovation Solution

An automated gas distribution measurement system using a remotely controlled probe carrier with air velocity probes that can move along the surface of collecting electrodes, capturing multiple readings quickly and accurately, while avoiding obstacles and navigating complex ESP geometries, and a display controller for data storage, calculation, and reporting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual measurement method is used, then operators can access and measure gas distribution, but the measurement process is time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas distribution measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement operations with an automated robotic system equipped with sensors. The robot autonomously navigates the ESP cross-section, positions measurement probes, collects gas distribution data, and transfers information to a PC, eliminating the need for manual data collection and processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement system performs self-service through automated robot navigation and autonomous data collection. The robot independently moves to measurement positions, executes measurement sequences, and compiles results without continuous human intervention, significantly reducing measurement time and labor requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If manual measurement is conducted in confined ESP spaces, then gas distribution can be measured, but operator safety is compromised due to dust exposure and difficult access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas distribution data qualityVSAvoidoperator health risks from dust exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces human operators with an automated robotic system that enters the ESP to perform measurements. The robot is equipped with appropriate sensors and navigation capabilities to autonomously collect gas distribution data without exposing human operators to harmful dust environments and difficult access conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic system acts as an intermediary between the measurement objective and the external control system. It performs the hazardous measurement tasks inside the ESP while being controlled and monitored from outside, transferring data to a PC without requiring human presence in the contaminated environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If operators manually navigate ESP to collect data, then measurements can be taken, but human error increases and data accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas distribution measurement accuracyVSAvoiddata collection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual data collection operations with an automated robotic system that precisely executes measurement sequences. The robot follows programmed paths, positions probes accurately at predetermined locations, and systematically collects data, eliminating human errors such as missed points, incorrect positioning, and recording mistakes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the robot receives real-time information about its position and measurement conditions, adjusts its navigation and probe positioning accordingly, and validates data collection completeness. The PC receives and processes data with automated analysis, ensuring high reliability and accuracy of gas distribution measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Significantly reduces operator residence time and manual errors, improving data quality and safety by enabling faster, more accurate measurements across the entire ESP cross-section, optimizing particle collection efficiency and extending component lifetime, and allowing measurements in spaces inaccessible to humans.

Implementation Method 1

at least one probe carrier (9) comprising at least one air velocity probe adapted to collect and record air velocity readings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir velocity measurement:

Data Source

PatentUS8756988B2System and method for gas distribution measurement for electrostatic precipitator

Publication Date: 2014.06.24 ANDRITZ AB

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for carrying out measurement of gas distribution in an ESP and also relates to a gas distribution measurement system for measurement of gas velocities in an ESP. The gas distribution system (8) comprises probe carrier (9) that moves in the ESP 1, air velocity probe (10) that record the air velocity readings and a display controller (11).