Suction Jet Pump Pressure Control for Gas Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas analyzers using infrared absorption spectroscopy face challenges with pressure fluctuations and high propellant gas consumption, leading to inaccurate measurements and increased maintenance costs, particularly when dealing with hot and humid exhaust gases from combustion engines.

Innovation Solution

A device with a proportional control valve in the propellant gas line of an ejector pump adjusts the propellant gradient to maintain constant pressure in the analysis cell, reducing pressure fluctuations and propellant gas consumption by regulating the driving pressure as a direct function of the delivery pressure, and optionally using a pressure sensor for precise control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If a suction jet pump is used to convey sample gas through the analysis cell, then the gas can be conveyed without moving parts and maintenance is reduced, but pressure fluctuations occur that negatively impact measurement quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance requirementsVSAvoidmeasurement quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A control valve is arranged in the propellant gas line that responds to pressure changes in the delivery line by automatically adjusting the propellant gas flow. When pressure increases, the valve restricts flow; when pressure decreases, the valve opens further. This feedback mechanism stabilizes pressure fluctuations while maintaining the maintenance-free operation of the ejector pump.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the propellant gas pressure is increased to maintain constant delivery pressure, then measurement stability improves, but propellant gas consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure stabilityVSAvoidpropellant gas consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The control valve dynamically adjusts the propellant gas flow based on real-time pressure conditions in the delivery line. Instead of maintaining constantly high pressure, the system adapts the propellant flow to match actual demand, opening the valve further when pressure drops and restricting it when pressure is sufficient. This dynamic adjustment stabilizes delivery pressure while minimizing propellant gas consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If the analysis cell is operated at reduced pressure to avoid cross-sensitivities, then spectral overlap of gas components decreases, but additional vacuum pump components and maintenance are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral resolutionVSAvoidvacuum system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the pressure parameter dynamically by adjusting propellant gas flow through the control valve. By responding to pressure changes in the delivery line, the system maintains optimal negative pressure conditions for spectral resolution without requiring complex vacuum pump systems. The ejector pump with control valve provides simplified vacuum generation while achieving the desired pressure conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution provides stable and accurate gas concentration measurements with reduced propellant gas usage, minimizing maintenance and operational costs, while allowing operation at high temperatures and avoiding condensation issues.

Implementation Method 1

Device and method for determining the concentration of at least one gas in a sample gas stream by means of infrared absorption spectroscopy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared absorption spectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Implementation Method 2

The infrared radiation is in the range of the vibration level of molecular bonds, which are excited to vibrate by absorption

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibrational excitation: Vibration

Implementation Method 3

a suction jet pump which is arranged downstream of the analysis cell and via which the measurement gas can be conveyed through the analysis cell and the conveying line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJet pump effect: Jet

Data Source

PatentEP3105564B1Device and method for determining the concentration of at least one gas in a sample gas stream by means of infrared absorption spectroscopy
Publication Date: 2023.02.22 AVL EMISSION TEST SYST GMBH
  • EP3105564B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3105564B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Devices are known for determining the concentration of at least one gas in a sample gas stream by means of infrared absorption spectroscopy, comprising an infrared radiation source (12), the radiation of which is directable through an analytical cell (16), a sample gas stream being directable by means of a feed line (34) into the analytical cell (16) and out of the analytical cell (16), and a detector (22) capable of measuring an absorption spectra generated in the analytical cell (16), and a suction jet pump (30) arranged downstream of the analytical cell (16) by means of which the measurement gas can be conveyed through the analytical cell (16) and the feed line (34). Frequently, however, measuring errors occur due to pressure fluctuations within the analytical cell, or increased maintenance- and manufacturing costs arise. In order to prevent these, the present invention provides a control valve (60) that is arranged in a propellant gas line (48) leading to a propellant gas connection (44) of the suction jet pump (30), by means of which the pressure in the propellant gas line (48) can be regulated so that the propellant pressure in the propellant gas line (48) and in the propelling nozzle (52) of the suction jet pump (30) is regulated as a direct function of the feed pressure within the analytical cell (16) or in the feed line (34).