Hydrogen Flame Ionization Detector Purge Timing Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hydrogen flame ionization detectors for exhaust gas analysis face errors due to hydrocarbon deposition in the exhaust gas flow path, leading to inaccurate measurements and unnecessary purge processes, as the timing of these processes is not optimally determined.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves determining the appropriate purge time by calculating the difference between output values from the acquisition circuit when no ion current is present and when a known concentration of the target substance is introduced, allowing for precise assessment of hydrocarbon adherence and optimizing the purge process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a regular purge process is performed to remove adhered hydrocarbon, then measurement accuracy is improved, but measurement downtime increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The purge process timing is changed from static (fixed periodic intervals) to dynamic (based on real-time deposition amount detection). The system dynamically determines when purging is actually needed by monitoring the difference between expected and actual ion current values, allowing continuous operation without unnecessary purge interruptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback control by detecting the ion current value, comparing it with the expected value based on known exhaust gas concentration, and using this feedback to determine when purge timing is appropriate. This closed-loop control prevents both premature and delayed purging, optimizing the balance between accuracy and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If purge gas is supplied frequently to remove adhered hydrocarbon, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but gas consumption and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconcentration measurement accuracyVSAvoidpurge gas consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the existing exhaust gas flow itself to prevent and remove hydrocarbon deposition without requiring frequent external purge gas supply. The continuous flow of exhaust gas through the detector naturally limits deposition, and purging is only activated when deposition exceeds acceptable levels, minimizing additional gas consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If a fixed maintenance schedule is used for purging, then device reliability is maintained, but unnecessary purges cause measurement interruptions and time loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetector reliabilityVSAvoidmeasurement downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of hydrocarbon deposition by monitoring ion current values before significant deposition occurs. By detecting deposition trends early and predicting when purging will be needed, the system can plan purge timing to minimize measurement interruptions while maintaining detector reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 determination of purge timing, reducing measurement errors and avoiding unnecessary shutdowns by optimizing the purge process in hydrogen flame ionization type exhaust gas analyzers.

Implementation Method 1

a hydrogen flame ionization detector (FID) of this kind is intended to detect ion current caused at a time of introducing a sample gas such as exhaust gas into hydrogen flame by a collector electrode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlame ionization: Ionisation

Implementation Method 2

introducing a sample gas such as exhaust gas into hydrogen flame

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP2674752B1Hydrogen flame ionization type exhaust gas analyzer
Publication Date: 2019.11.13 HORIBA LTD
  • EP2674752B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2674752B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2674752B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention is intended to be able to determine an appropriate purge time in a hydrogen flame ionization type exhaust gas analyzer and a system incorporating the analyzer which includes : a collector electrode 7 for capturing ions generated from exhaust gas by hydrogen flame F; an acquisition circuit 8 adapted to acquire ion current caused by the ions captured by the collector electrode 7; and an abnormality determining part 92 for determining an abnormality in the case where a difference between a first output value S1 of the acquisition circuit 8 in the case where there flows no ion current caused by the exhaust gas to the collector electrode 7 and a second output value S2 of the acquisition circuit 8 in the case where zero gas is introduced into the hydrogen flame F is equal to a predetermined value.