Integrated Gas Analysis Device Merging Chromatography and Laser Spectroscopy

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current gas analysis systems for combustion gases, particularly biogas and biomethane, are inefficient and costly due to the need for multiple separate devices, high gas consumption, and significant gas release into the atmosphere, which complicates sampling and increases operational costs.

Innovation Solution

A combustion gas analysis device integrating a micro-gas chromatography unit, a laser unit, and an automated processing and control unit, with a common sampling and calibration system, allowing for simultaneous analysis and reducing gas consumption and atmospheric release through intermittent operation and shared sampling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate devices are used to analyze different gas constituents, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and gas consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate gas analysis devices into a single integrated system. The device uses a unified platform that can analyze multiple gas constituents (including H2S, CO2, CH4, and other hydrocarbons) simultaneously through shared components such as the sampling system, infrared source, and detector, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a universal gas analysis device that can measure multiple different gas constituents using a single system. The infrared spectrometer is configured to detect various compounds through their characteristic absorption spectra, allowing one device to perform the functions previously requiring multiple specialized analyzers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If multiple separate devices with specific sampling loops are used, then measurement precision is improved, but gas consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidgas consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a single shared sampling loop that serves all measurement functions. Instead of having separate sampling systems for each gas constituent, the device uses one sampling interface that directs gas samples to the infrared spectrometer for multi-component analysis, significantly reducing the total volume of gas required while maintaining analytical precision through the spectrometer's ability to detect multiple compounds simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If continuous gas circulation is used for analysis, then measurement reliability is improved, but gas release into atmosphere increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidgas release into atmosphere
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device operates using periodic sampling rather than continuous gas circulation. The sampling system periodically draws gas samples through the analysis path, allowing the system to achieve reliable measurements through repeated sampling events while minimizing the total volume of gas that needs to be circulated and ultimately released into the atmosphere.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

4Measurement precision

If multiple separate analyzers are used, then detection accuracy is improved, but operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidoperational costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates multiple separate analyzers into a single integrated system with shared components including the infrared source, spectrometer, detector, and sampling system. This merging reduces operational costs by eliminating redundant components, reducing maintenance requirements, and simplifying operation while maintaining detection accuracy through the spectrometer's capability to measure multiple gas constituents simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The device significantly reduces gas consumption and atmospheric emissions, simplifies maintenance, and speeds up analysis times, enabling more precise detection of harmful compounds while lowering operational costs and equipment complexity.

Implementation Method 1

a laser unit comprising at least one laser module, connected by a pneumatic connection in series and upstream to the micro-chromatography unit for measuring the concentration of additional compounds in the combustion gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption spectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Implementation Method 2

a gas micro-chromatography unit for measuring the concentration of compounds in the combustion gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas chromatography: Chromatography

Data Source

PatentEP3644056B1Device for analysing gas and method of analysis
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 EIFFAGE ENERGIE SYSTEMES PARTICIPATIONS
  • EP3644056B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3644056B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a combustion gas analysis device (1) comprising a gas-phase micro-chromatography unit (2) for measuring the concentration of combustion gas compounds, a sampling and calibration unit (7) for taking samples to be analyzed from the combustion gas and a user interface (5) for viewing the progress of the analysis operation and the results of the analysis, characterized in that it comprises a laser unit (3) having at least one laser module for measuring the concentration of additional combustion gas compounds, an automated processing and control unit (4) for acquiring and processing measurements and for performing necessary calculations from the measurements, the micro-chromatography unit (2) and the laser unit (3) performing the respective analyses on the same samples prepared using the common sampling and calibration unit (7).