Gas Leak Sensing via Bubble Generation in Liquid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas detection technologies face challenges in accurately detecting small flow rates and volumes of leaking process gas due to its compressibility, posing risks to equipment availability, environmental safety, and human health.
Innovation Solution
A method that guides leaking gas into a liquid to generate bubbles, allowing for sensitive and precise detection by monitoring the flow rate and volume of bubbles using ultrasound or optical sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gas measuring sensors and flow meters are installed in gas diversion pipes or storage compartments to detect leaking gas, then the detection coverage is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to gas compressibility making it difficult to obtain accurate data for small flow leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces liquid as an intermediary medium between the leaking gas and the detection system. The gas injection port delivers leaking gas into the liquid, where it forms bubbles. This liquid intermediary transforms the compressible gas into observable bubble entities, enabling precise measurement of small gas flows that were previously undetectable with conventional sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and form of the gas for detection purposes. By converting invisible compressible gas into visible bubbles with measurable parameters (size, frequency, volume), the system transforms the detection parameter from direct gas flow measurement to bubble characteristic measurement, thereby achieving high precision for small leaks.
2Reliability
If conventional gas measuring sensors are used to detect small flow gas leaks, then the detection scope is expanded, but the detection sensitivity deteriorates due to difficulty in obtaining accurate data for small flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
Liquid serves as a magnifying intermediary that amplifies small gas flows into observable bubble streams. Even minimal gas leakage produces a detectable sequence of bubbles, transforming sub-threshold gas flows into measurable optical or acoustic signals that conventional sensors cannot detect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/electrical gas sensing systems with optical or acoustic detection of bubbles. This substitution leverages light reflection, refraction, or sound wave interaction with bubbles to achieve superior sensitivity for detecting trace gas leaks compared to traditional electronic sensors.
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 enables accurate calculation of gas flow rate and volume by converting leaking gas into bubbles that float, improving detection sensitivity and precision, thereby enhancing safety and equipment reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the vent pressure of the leaking gas is greater than the liquid pressure
Implementation Method 2
the flow rate of bubbles generated in the liquid is detected by an ultrasound sensor
Implementation Method 3
the flow rate of bubbles generated in the liquid is optically detected
Data Source
AI summary
A method of sensing leaking gas includes controlling the height of a gas injection port in the liquid away from the liquid surface to guide the leaking gas into the liquid through the gas injection port to generate bubbles, and detecting the flow rate of the bubbles generated in the liquid to improve the sensing accuracy of leaking gas.