Method of measuring concentrations of gas mixtures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the concentration of refrigerant blends in refrigeration systems are costly, non-portable, and limited to non-azeotropic blends, requiring permanent installations of sensors, which is not suitable for monitoring and maintaining refrigeration system performance due to potential leaks and fractionation issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using an ionic liquid or low vapor-pressure organic solvent to equilibrate with a gaseous mixture, measuring and comparing vapor pressures at different temperatures to determine the concentration of identified compounds in the mixture, allowing for accurate calculation of mole percentages without the need for extensive sensor installations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gas chromatography - mass spectrometry is used to determine gas mixture composition, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary measurement function from complex analytical instruments by using simple pressure sensors to measure vapor pressure, eliminating the need for time-consuming gas chromatography and mass spectrometry while maintaining composition determination capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, sophisticated analytical equipment with simple, inexpensive pressure sensors that can be easily deployed and replaced, achieving fast and cost-effective gas mixture analysis without the need for complex instrument maintenance
2Measurement precision
If temperature and pressure sensors are permanently installed in refrigeration systems to monitor refrigerant blend composition, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the composition determination capability from complex permanent sensor installations by using a portable device that measures vapor pressure of refrigerant samples, eliminating the need for permanent temperature and pressure sensor installations while maintaining composition analysis capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a portable measurement device as an intermediary that can be temporarily connected to the refrigeration system to measure refrigerant composition, avoiding the need for permanent system modifications while enabling composition monitoring
3Power
If refrigerant blends are used to meet performance specifications, then heat transfer performance is improved, but reliability decreases due to fractionation from leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements composition monitoring of refrigerant blends to detect fractionation caused by leaks, providing feedback that enables timely system maintenance and refrigerant replenishment, thereby maintaining reliable heat transfer performance over time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables early detection of composition changes in refrigerant blends through regular monitoring, allowing preliminary action to be taken before performance degradation occurs, maintaining system reliability
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 provides a cost-effective, portable, and efficient method to determine refrigerant blend concentrations, enabling effective monitoring and maintenance of refrigeration system performance by accurately measuring the composition of refrigerant blends, even in the presence of leaks, without the need for extensive sensor networks.
Implementation Method 1
exposing a liquid comprising an ionic liquid and/or a low vapor-pressure organic solvent to the gaseous mixture at a first temperature and a first pressure until the liquid and the gaseous mixture are in equilibrium, thereby forming a liquid solution
Implementation Method 2
measuring the vapor pressure of the liquid solution at the second temperature; comparing the measured vapor pressure of the liquid solution at the second temperature with predicted vapor pressure of the liquid solution at the second temperature
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of measuring concentrations of gas mixtures is disclosed in which an ionic liquid and/or low vapor-pressure organic solvent is exposed to a gas mixture being tested to form a solution of the gas components in the liquid. The vapor pressure of the solution is then measured at one or more other temperatures and compared to predicted vapor pressures based on known individual vapor pressure profiles of the gas components in the liquid in order to determine the actual proportions of the components in the gas sample.