Gas Jet Emission Estimation Using Outlet Diameter and Core Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas leakage detection methods struggle to accurately distinguish between high gas concentration and large gas presence height, leading to inaccurate estimation of gas emission amounts.

Innovation Solution

An emission amount estimation device that includes a detection unit to identify gas jets, measures outlet diameter, calculates flow velocity and volume, estimates gas concentration based on brightness values, and determines emission amount using a gas concentration-brightness table.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If gas detection is performed using specific wavelength absorption, then gas leakage detection capability is improved, but the ability to distinguish between high gas concentration and large gas presence height deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas leakage detection capabilityVSAvoidgas concentration measurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional image brightness analysis to three-dimensional spatial analysis by measuring jet outlet diameter and calculating potential core region volume. This dimensional expansion allows differentiation between gas concentration effects and gas presence volume effects, resolving the ambiguity in concentration measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces new measurement parameters (jet outlet diameter, potential core region volume, flow velocity) beyond the traditional brightness value parameter. By measuring multiple parameters and analyzing their relationships, the system can distinguish between variations caused by concentration changes versus those caused by volume changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If only brightness value analysis is used, then detection simplicity is improved, but emission amount estimation accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection simplicityVSAvoidemission amount estimation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the gas jet into distinct regions (jet outlet, potential core region) and measures different parameters in each region. The jet outlet diameter is measured at the source, while the potential core region volume is calculated downstream, allowing separate analysis of concentration and volume components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the potential core region as an intermediary zone for measurement. By analyzing gas properties in this intermediate region rather than directly at the outlet or in the fully dispersed downstream area, the system maintains measurement simplicity while improving accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Accurately estimates gas emission amounts by distinguishing between gas concentration and thickness, enhancing measurement precision.

Implementation Method 1

there is a method of mounting a gas detection unit such as an infrared camera that can detect a gas absorption wavelength (hereinafter, also referred to as a 'specific wavelength') or a laser light absorption spectrometer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption Spectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Implementation Method 2

the specific wavelength is absorbed at the leakage location. Therefore, for example, in a case where the gas detection unit is a camera, a black shadow indicating the leaking gas appears in the captured image. Since the amount of absorption at the specific wavelength changes depending on the gas concentration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20260043706A1Emission amount estimation device, emission amount estimation method, and program

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD

AI summary

An emission amount estimation device that estimates an emission amount of gas leaking from an inspection target, includes: a detection unit that detects a jet of the gas leaking from the inspection target based on an inspection image in which the inspection target is imaged; an outlet diameter measurement unit that measures an outlet diameter indicating a size of a jet outlet of the inspection target based on the inspection image; a velocity calculation unit that calculates a flow velocity of the jet in a potential core region based on the inspection image; and a volume calculation unit that calculates a volume of the jet based on the outlet diameter and a flow velocity of the jet.