Infrared Detector Process Temperature Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-temperature industrial processes often damage or shorten the lifespan of temperature sensors, and materials like coal and petcoke can further degrade them, leading to frequent replacements and significant downtime.
Innovation Solution
A process variable transmitter system using an infrared detector to remotely measure temperature by correlating infrared radiation from a process vessel's surface with its internal temperature, allowing for continuous monitoring and compensation for ambient temperature effects, enabling accurate temperature determination without direct sensor exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is thermally coupled to a process fluid to measure temperature, then temperature measurement is achieved, but the sensor lifespan is greatly reduced due to high temperatures and exposure to process materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an infrared detector as an intermediary device that measures temperature remotely through infrared radiation from the process fluid or component, eliminating direct thermal contact between the sensor and the harsh process environment, thereby extending sensor lifespan while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional thermal conduction-based temperature sensing mechanism with an optical/infrared detection mechanism. The infrared detector measures temperature by detecting infrared radiation emitted by the process fluid or component, substituting the mechanical/thermal contact approach with a non-contact optical approach that avoids sensor degradation
2Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is replaced frequently due to degradation, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but significant downtime occurs in the industrial process
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared detector serves as a remote intermediary that enables continuous temperature monitoring without requiring sensor replacement. By measuring infrared radiation from outside the process environment, the system eliminates the need for frequent sensor replacements and associated process downtime
3Duration of action of stationary object
If an infrared detector is used to remotely measure temperature, then sensor lifespan is extended and downtime is reduced, but additional system complexity is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature sensing function from the harsh process environment by using an infrared detector positioned outside the process vessel. This separation removes the sensor from the damaging environment while maintaining measurement capability, and the system can utilize existing process vessel infrastructure, limiting the increase in overall system complexity
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 extends sensor lifespan, reduces downtime, and provides accurate temperature measurements by correlating infrared radiation with internal temperatures, allowing for automatic diagnostics and compensation, thus improving process control and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared detector is arranged to receive infrared radiation from a component in the industrial process
Implementation Method 2
temperature characterization information which relates the infrared radiation received from the component with an internal temperature of the component
Data Source
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AI summary
A process variable transmitter (12) for measuring a temperature in an industrial process includes an infrared detector (100) arranged to receive infrared radiation (104) from a component in the industrial process. A memory contains temperature characterization information which relates the infrared radiation received from the component with an internal temperature of the component. Measurement circuitry is configured to determine the internal temperature of the component based upon the received infrared radiation from the component and the temperature characterization information.