Gas Pressure Detection Using Flowrate Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility delivery systems face challenges in accurately diagnosing and addressing conditions such as inefficient gas appliances, under-sized service capacity, and low gas pressure due to insufficient information and lack of sensors, leading to suboptimal performance and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that uses enhanced gas meters and data processing techniques to collect, process, and analyze gas flowrate data, allowing for the identification of appliance efficiency, service capacity sizing, and detection of low gas pressure without additional sensors, by categorizing consumption rates and associating them with individual appliances and service points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressure sensors are installed to detect low gas pressure conditions, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses gas flowrate measurements as an intermediary parameter to indirectly detect pressure conditions. Instead of directly measuring pressure with sensors, the system measures gas flowrate at the service point and uses this data to infer pressure conditions, thereby avoiding the need for pressure sensors while still achieving the detection objective
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical pressure sensing systems with a data processing system that analyzes gas flowrate measurements. By substituting the mechanical sensor-based approach with an analytical method using existing flowrate data, the system eliminates the need for additional pressure sensors while maintaining detection capability
2Loss of information
If multiple sensors are installed to monitor appliance efficiency and service capacity, then information completeness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the gas flowrate measurement system multi-functional by using it to detect multiple conditions: appliance efficiency, service capacity sizing, and pressure conditions. A single measurement system serves multiple diagnostic purposes, eliminating the need for separate sensors for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing gas metering infrastructure to provide diagnostic information about appliance efficiency and service capacity. The gas measurement system serves itself by providing data that reveals system conditions without requiring additional dedicated measurement devices
3Device complexity
If gas flowrate data is collected and analyzed without additional sensors, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses gas flowrate as an intermediary parameter that correlates with pressure conditions. By measuring flowrate (which can be done with existing infrastructure) and analyzing it in context with appliance usage patterns, the system achieves pressure condition detection precision without direct pressure measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors gas flowrate data and compares it against expected values for different pressure conditions. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect pressure conditions by identifying deviations from normal flowrate patterns, achieving detection capability without additional sensors
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques detect a low gas-pressure condition within a region without the use of pressure sensors. In an example, gas usage at a service site is disaggregated to show use by individual appliances. A flowrate of gas at an appliance (e.g., a gas hot water tank) having a generally fixed-rate of gas-consumption is determined. Based at least in part on the flowrate of gas at the appliance, and an historical gas flowrate at that appliance, it is determined if gas pressure at the service site is lower than expected. In an example, failure of the appliance to use its typical fixed-flowrate may indicate low gas pressure at the service site. Information is obtained from a second gas meter at a second service site. Based on the gas pressure at the first and second service sites being lower than expected, a low gas pressure situation may exist in a regional area.