Laminar Flow Metering for Low-Flow Methane Emissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies struggle to accurately measure and manage low-flow methane emissions from abandoned oil and gas wells, glycol dehydrator towers, compressor seals, and solution gas tanks, leading to environmental hazards and regulatory challenges.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a laminar flow meter, data logger, methane sensor, and catalyst to quantify methane emissions, convert methane to carbon dioxide, and record data for remote access, with features like vent shut-in and bleed-off functions, suitable for unattended operation in remote locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional flow measurement methods are used for low-flow methane emissions, then measurement capability is limited, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the measurement approach by changing parameters: instead of measuring low flow rates directly, it measures pressure differential across a known restriction and temperature, then calculates flow rate through mathematical relationships. This parameter transformation enables precise measurement of low flows that would be undetectable by conventional flow meters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical flow measurement systems with a combination of pressure sensing and computational calculation. By using pressure differential measurement across a restriction element and applying flow equations, the system achieves high precision for low-flow conditions without relying on mechanical flow meter components that have detection limits.
2Productivity
If manual monitoring and measurement methods are used for methane emissions, then operational simplicity is maintained, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically measuring pressure, temperature, and flow rate continuously without human intervention. The embedded processor calculates flow rates in real-time and logs data automatically, enabling unattended operation that dramatically improves monitoring productivity while the integrated design keeps complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous measurement and logging of emission data rather than periodic manual sampling. The system continuously monitors pressure differential, temperature, and calculates flow rates without interruption, providing complete temporal coverage of emissions events and enabling real-time productivity improvements in emission quantification.
3Ease of operation
If unattended operation in remote locations is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the processor continuously monitors pressure, temperature, and flow calculations, and can detect anomalies or equipment failures. The data logger provides feedback by storing operational status and error codes, enabling remote diagnostics that maintain reliability in unattended operations without requiring manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary protective actions by including a vent shut-in function that automatically closes the vent valve when abnormal conditions are detected, and a bleed-off function that safely releases pressure before maintenance or shutdown. These preliminary safety actions ensure reliable operation in remote locations by preventing hazardous conditions before they can develop.
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
Accurately measures and converts methane emissions, reducing environmental impact and enabling compliance with regulatory standards by providing real-time data logging and conversion capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a laminar flow meter, data logger, methane sensor
Implementation Method 2
catalyst to quantify methane emissions, convert methane to carbon dioxide
Data Source
AI summary
A method of quantifying emissions concentrations emitted from a gas source via a flow path at which a sensor assembly is arranged, the method comprising: obtaining temperature data and pressure data corresponding to a gas emitted by the gas source, obtaining indicia of whether there has been a barometric change at either the gas source or the sensor assembly, adjusting, if there is a barometric change, the pressure data to account for the barometric change, and determining a flow rate of gas emitted by the gas source, a proportion of an emissions present in the gas emitted from the gas source, and a flow rate or volume of the emissions being released based on the pressure data and the temperature data.