Hydrocarbon Corrosion Testing System with Recirculation Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for testing hydrocarbons' compatibility with machinery components, such as fuel tanks and fuel lines, are inadequate in assessing exposure and potential damage, as they lack comprehensive and efficient systems for recirculating hydrocarbons and monitoring changes in components during testing.
Innovation Solution
A modular test system with a test module and recirculation circuit that passes hydrocarbons over components like coupons, gaskets, and tubes, equipped with sensors to monitor fluid and material parameters, allowing for partial or full exposure and automatic termination of tests based on detected changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If standard corrosion testing methods are used, then testing simplicity is maintained, but testing comprehensiveness and accuracy are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The testing system is divided into modular components: test modules (210a-c) that can be independently configured, recirculation circuits (114) separate from fluid sources (104), and sensor systems (122) that operate independently. This segmentation allows comprehensive testing capability while maintaining operational simplicity through standardized interfaces and modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The test modules (210a-c) are designed with universal functionality to accommodate different component types (coupons, gaskets, tubes) and exposure configurations (immersion, partial-exposure, flow-through). The recirculation circuit can serve multiple test modules simultaneously, and sensors can monitor various parameters across different test configurations, reducing overall system complexity while enhancing testing comprehensiveness.
2Productivity
If hydrocarbon exposure testing is performed without recirculation, then system simplicity is maintained, but testing efficiency and data reliability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation circuit (114) continuously circulates hydrocarbon through the test modules (210a-c), ensuring constant exposure of test components to the hydrocarbon. This continuous action maintains consistent testing conditions, improves data reliability by eliminating exposure interruptions, and increases testing efficiency by allowing multiple components to be tested simultaneously in a closed loop system.
3Measurement precision
If manual testing procedures are used, then equipment complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and automated monitoring are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors (122) are integrated throughout the system to continuously monitor fluid parameters (temperature, pressure, flow rate) and material parameters (component condition) during testing. This feedback is transmitted to a central system that can automatically adjust testing parameters, terminate tests when predetermined changes are detected, and maintain consistent exposure conditions, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring complex manual intervention systems.
4Adaptability or versatility
If complete immersion testing is used, then exposure comprehensiveness is improved, but adaptability to different component configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system offers both complete immersion and partial-exposure testing configurations through different test module arrangements. The partial-exposure module (210b) allows selective exposure of specific component surfaces while maintaining the same recirculation system, providing adaptability to different component configurations without requiring separate testing systems. The recirculation design ensures efficient hydrocarbon usage by continuously reusing the same fluid volume across multiple test components.
Data Source
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Figure 2A~4
Figure 5A
AI summary
A tester, systems and method for testing hydrocarbons are provided. The tester includes a test module supporting the component thereabout. The test module is operatively connectable to a fluid source to receive the hydrocarbon therefrom. A recirculation circuit is operatively connectable to the fluid circuit about the test module to recirculate the hydrocarbon thereabout whereby the hydrocarbon is passed over at least a portion of the component. The method involves passing the hydrocarbon over at least a portion of a plurality of the components, recirculating the hydrocarbon over the portion of each of the components, and performing a material test on each of the components.