Sampling Probe Gas Line Return Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

In gas pipelines, existing measurement systems result in gas loss and environmental impact due to the need to collect and re-pressurize gas for return, which is inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

A sampling probe system with an inlet and outlet opening arranged in the gas line, allowing gas to be partially discharged back into the line, reducing the amount of gas needed for measurement and minimizing environmental impact by utilizing the high pressure and flow velocity of the gas to facilitate return without additional means.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If gas is sampled from the gas line for quality measurement, then measurement can be performed, but gas is lost and environmental pollution increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas quality measurementVSAvoidgas loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a system where sampled gas that has been used for measurement is recovered and returned back to the gas line through a return line. This prevents the sampled gas from being completely discarded and released into the environment, thereby reducing gas loss and environmental pollution while maintaining measurement capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a return line as an intermediary component that facilitates the transport of measured gas back to the gas line. This intermediary structure enables the recovery and reuse of sampled gas, resolving the contradiction between measurement and gas loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of substance

If sampled gas is collected and re-pressurized for return to the gas line, then gas can be recycled, but additional equipment and energy are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas recyclingVSAvoidadditional equipment
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the existing high pressure and flow velocity of the gas in the gas line to naturally facilitate the return of sampled gas without requiring additional pressurization equipment. The system leverages the gas's own properties to perform the return function, eliminating the need for complex additional equipment while achieving gas recycling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If gas pressure is reduced for measurement, then measurement can be performed, but energy is consumed and measurement precision may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas quality measurementVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only a small portion of the gas from the high-pressure line through a sampling probe for measurement purposes. This extraction approach allows measurement to be performed on a minimal sample, reducing the overall energy consumption associated with gas handling while maintaining measurement precision on the extracted sample

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 solution reduces gas loss and environmental impact by allowing a significant portion of the measured gas to be returned to the pipeline, maintaining measurement efficiency and reducing the need for additional equipment and energy.

Implementation Method 1

The arrangement of the inlet and outlet openings in the gas line can create a pressure difference between the inlet and outlet openings, in particular due to a back pressure at the inlet opening and a dynamic pressure reduction at the outlet opening. This pressure difference can cause the gas to be extracted through the inlet opening, flow through the sampling line, and then to the outlet opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a dynamic pressure reduction at the outlet opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDynamic pressure reduction: Bernoulli Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4382886A1System and arrangement for measuring a gas flowing in a gas line
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 METER Q SOLUTIONS GMBH
  • EP4382886A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4382886A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4382886A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a system and an arrangement for measuring a gas flowing in a gas line (200), the system comprising a sampling probe (100) with an inlet opening (110) for sampling a gas flowing in a gas line (200), an outlet opening (120) for at least partially dispensing the extracted gas into the gas line (200) and a sampling line that fluidically connects at least the inlet opening (110) and the outlet opening (120), wherein the sampling probe (100) is designed such that at least the inlet opening (110) and the outlet opening (120) can be arranged in the gas line, wherein the sampling probe (100) is designed such that the outlet opening (120) can be arranged along a flow direction (SR) of the gas downstream of the inlet opening (110);at least one measuring device (330) for measuring the gas, wherein the sampling line has at least one interface (140) through which the gas can be conveyed at least partially to the measuring device (330).