Gas Meter Heating Value Estimation via Sound Velocity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In a gas meter system transitioning from charging based on passage volume to charging based on heating value, there is a period where both types of meters coexist, leading to inequality in fees between customers, as existing gas meters cannot accurately derive heating values, resulting in potential fee discrepancies.
Innovation Solution
A gas meter system that includes a heating value derivation unit to estimate the heating value of a gas passing through a first gas meter and a second gas meter, using sound velocity and temperature measurements, allowing for accurate estimation of heating values in gas meters capable of measuring only flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a gas meter system transitions from charging based on passage volume to charging based on heating value, then fee accuracy improves, but device complexity increases due to the need for multiple gas meter types during the transition period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing gas meters capable of both measuring passage volume and estimating heating value by equipping them with sound velocity measurement units and heating value estimation units. This multi-functionality allows the same device to serve both transition period requirements, eliminating the need for separate meter types and reducing system complexity while maintaining fee accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of existing gas meters by adding sound velocity measurement capability and heating value estimation functionality. This allows the meters to derive heating values from physical parameter measurements (sound velocity, temperature, pressure) without requiring complete hardware replacement, thus improving fee accuracy while managing device complexity during transition.
2Reliability
If all gas meters are replaced simultaneously with heating value-capable meters, then fee inequality is eliminated, but loss of time occurs due to the extended replacement period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables existing gas meters to perform heating value estimation in advance, allowing them to function equivalently to new heating value-capable meters during the transition period. This preliminary capability deployment across the existing meter fleet eliminates fee inequality immediately without requiring a prolonged replacement period, as meters are upgraded in place rather than replaced sequentially.
3Device complexity
If an average heating value is used for fee calculation in the transition period, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to fee inequality between customers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables each individual gas meter to independently estimate its own gas heating value through sound velocity measurement and calculation units. This self-service capability eliminates the need for centralized average heating value assignment, allowing each customer to be charged based on their actual gas heating value while keeping individual meter complexity manageable through automated local processing.
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
Enables high-accuracy estimation of heating values in gas meters that only measure flow rates, reducing fee inequalities and allowing for appropriate charging based on actual heating values.
Implementation Method 1
a sound velocity derivation unit configured to derive a sound velocity of the gas supplied to the first gas meter
Implementation Method 2
a heating value derivation unit configured to derive a heating value of the gas passing through the first gas meter
Data Source
AI summary
A gas meter system is configured to: derive a unit heating value of a gas passing through a first gas meter; and estimate a heating value of a gas passing through a second gas meter provided separately from the first gas meter based on the heating value of the gas of the first gas meter that is arranged within a predetermined range with respect to the second gas meter on a gas supply pipe configured to supply the gas. The gas meter system and a heating value estimation method can estimate a heating value of a gas with high accuracy.