Invasive Temperature Validation via Non-Invasive Surface Modeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing invasive temperature measurement systems, such as those using thermowells, face challenges in accurately validating their accuracy in situ without requiring additional redundant measurements, leading to potential inaccuracies due to air gaps, thermal coupling issues, and flow disturbances, and are costly and invasive to install and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a model-based calculation using non-invasive temperature sensors to determine the medium temperature by thermally contacting the outside surface of the vessel wall, allowing for validation of invasive systems by comparing readings within a predetermined tolerance, eliminating the need for redundant installations and enhancing accuracy through heat transfer modeling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a non-invasive temperature measurement system is used to determine medium temperature through heat transfer modeling, then measurement accuracy and system reliability are improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for heat transfer models and medium property data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat transfer model as an intermediary computational layer between the non-invasive surface temperature measurement and the desired medium temperature. This model acts as a virtual mediator that translates easily obtainable surface temperature data into accurate medium temperature estimates without requiring physical intrusion into the medium flow path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/invasive thermowell-based temperature measurement system with a non-invasive optical or thermal sensing system combined with computational heat transfer modeling. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact with the medium while achieving comparable or superior measurement accuracy through the integration of sensing and modeling.
2Ease of manufacture
If invasive temperature measurement systems with thermowells are used, then installation and maintenance are simplified, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to air gaps, thermal coupling issues, and flow disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature sensing function from the invasive thermowell structure and relocates it to a non-invasive position on the vessel exterior. This extraction eliminates the problematic thermowell components that cause air gaps, thermal coupling errors, and flow disturbances while preserving the temperature measurement capability through heat transfer modeling.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat transfer model serves as a computational intermediary that bridges the gap between the non-invasive surface measurement and the internal medium temperature. This intermediary enables accurate temperature determination without requiring the problematic physical connection that traditional thermowells provide.
3Measurement precision
If calibration baths are used to verify measurement inset accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease due to system shutdown requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the temperature measurement system to self-validate through the heat transfer model by continuously comparing model-predicted medium temperatures with actual non-invasive surface measurements. This self-service validation mechanism eliminates the need for external calibration baths and system shutdowns, allowing continuous operation while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes continuous temperature measurement and validation capability that operates without interruption to the process. The heat transfer model runs continuously alongside the non-invasive sensing system, providing ongoing verification of measurement accuracy without requiring periodic shutdowns for calibration bath verification.
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 cost-effectively enhances the confidence and accuracy of temperature measurements by validating invasive systems in situ, reducing installation costs and avoiding the limitations of traditional methods, while improving process quality and reducing measurement errors.
Implementation Method 1
a second temperature data of a non-invasive temperature measurement system is provided, wherein the non-invasive temperature measurement system is thermally contacting an outside surface of the vessel wall enclosing the medium
Implementation Method 2
a temperature of the medium is determined based on the second temperature data medium properties and properties of the vessel wall
Implementation Method 3
the determination of the temperature of the medium, as described above, is model based, and wherein the model includes a heat transfer characteristics of a boundary layer of the medium
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
A method for validating an invasive temperature measurement system is proposed, comprising: Providing a first temperature data of the invasive temperature measurement system of a medium, the medium surrounded by a vessel wall enclosing the medium; Providing a second temperature data of a non-invasive temperature measurement system, the non-invasive temperature measurement system thermally contacting an outside surface of the vessel wall enclosing the medium; Determining a temperature of the medium based on the second temperature data medium properties and properties of the vessel wall; and Comparing the first temperature data with the determined temperature of the medium to validate the invasive temperature measurement system.