Gas Filling Station Flow Meter Correction for Billing Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring the quantity of gas introduced into pressurized gas tanks, such as hydrogen tanks, face challenges in precision due to varying parameters like pressure, temperature, and the need to account for gas purged after filling, leading to inaccurate billing.
Innovation Solution
A method that adjusts the gas measurement signal by subtracting or adding pulses based on determined corrective quantities, calculated as a percentage of the measured gas, to account for gas purged during the filling process, using a controlled purge valve and electronic data processing to ensure accurate billing of the gas actually transferred to the tank.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the flow meter measures gas quantity upstream in the filling line, then the measurement is easier to implement, but the measured quantity includes gas that is not transferred to the tank leading to billing inaccuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the physical repositioning of the flow meter with an electronic/data-based solution. A corrective quantity calculation unit computes the difference between upstream measured gas quantity and actual tank transferred quantity based on pressure and temperature data, then applies this correction to the billed amount. This substitutes mechanical system redesign with computational correction.
2Ease of operation
If gas is purged from the filling line after filling, then the pressure is reduced for safe disconnection, but the purged gas is not accounted for in billing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurement and recording of the gas quantity in the filling line before purging occurs. The corrective quantity calculation unit calculates how much gas will be purged based on line volume, pressure, and temperature, and deducts this amount from the total measured quantity before billing. This preliminary accounting action ensures accurate billing despite subsequent purging.
3Device complexity
If the flow meter is positioned upstream for industrial reasons, then installation is simpler, but some measured gas is lost and incorrectly billed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where pressure sensors and temperature sensors continuously monitor the filling line conditions, and the corrective quantity calculation unit uses this feedback data to dynamically calculate the gas quantity remaining in the line. This calculated corrective quantity is then subtracted from the flow meter reading to determine the actual billed amount, creating a closed-loop system that compensates for line losses.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
Method for measuring the quantity of gas introduced into a gas reservoir (2) via a filling station (1) provided with a filling line (4) comprising an upstream end (3), connected to at least one source (5) of pressurised gas, and a downstream end (8) connected to a reservoir (2) to be filled, the filling line (4) comprising a flow meter (9) and at least one downstream isolation valve (6) disposed between the flow meter and the downstream end (8) of the filling line, the method comprising a step of transferring gas from the source (5) to the reservoir (2), during which step the downstream isolation valve (6) is open, a step of interrupting the transfer of gas, in which the downstream valve (6) is closed, the method also comprising a step of measuring, via the flow meter (5), the quantity of gas transferred during the transfer step, and being characterised in that it comprises a step of generating a corrected transferred gas quantity signal, which corrected transferred gas quantity is obtained by increasing or reducing, by a predetermined corrective amount, the quantity of gas transferred, as measured by the flow meter (5) during the transfer step.