Laser Gas Plume Monitoring for Combustion Efficiency Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The global oil and gas industry faces challenges in disposing of excess hydrocarbons during well testing due to lack of transport infrastructure, leading to environmental pollution from burning processes, which produce harmful gases that require stringent reporting.
Innovation Solution
A gas monitoring system using laser emission and detection systems to determine gas plume properties by tuning laser beams around spectral absorption lines of specific gases, combined with flow rate sensors to calculate emission rates and combustion efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If hydrocarbons are burned to dispose of excess hydrocarbons, then the disposal problem is solved, but harmful pollutant gases are released into the atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the gas plume composition and provides real-time feedback data on pollutant emissions. This enables operators to adjust burning parameters to minimize harmful emissions while maintaining effective hydrocarbon disposal, creating a closed-loop control system that balances disposal efficiency with environmental protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical emission control methods with optical detection systems (lasers and spectrometers) to measure and analyze gas plume composition. This substitution enables precise, non-contact measurement of pollutant concentrations, allowing for more accurate monitoring and control of emissions compared to conventional mechanical sampling methods.
2Device complexity
If traditional gas detection methods are used, then the system is simpler, but measurement precision and real-time monitoring capability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces simple mechanical gas sampling and detection methods with advanced optical detection technologies including tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). These optical methods provide superior measurement precision for gas concentration detection while enabling real-time monitoring capabilities that mechanical systems cannot achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the principle that different gases absorb laser light at specific wavelengths (spectral absorption lines). By tuning laser wavelengths to match the absorption characteristics of target gases (CO2, CO, CH4, etc.), the system achieves highly selective and precise measurements. This parameter-based detection method allows simultaneous monitoring of multiple gases with high accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If multiple separate detection systems are used for different gases, then each gas can be detected accurately, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs universal detection platforms (lasers and spectrometers) that can detect multiple different gases simultaneously by tuning to their respective absorption wavelengths. A single FTIR spectrometer or tunable laser system can measure concentrations of CO2, CO, CH4, and other hydrocarbons by scanning through different spectral regions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated sensors for each gas type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter (laser wavelength) to selectively detect different gases. By tuning the laser frequency to match the specific absorption line of each target gas, the same physical device can accurately measure multiple gas species without requiring separate detection systems for each gas, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
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 gas plume properties and combustion efficiency in real-time, facilitating compliance with environmental regulations by providing precise data on pollutant emissions.
Implementation Method 1
tuning wavelength of the first laser beam around a first wavelength corresponding to a spectral absorption line of a first predetermined gas... determine a first concentration path length of the first predetermined gas along the path based on the first intensity data
Implementation Method 2
facilitate determining first and second intensity data indicative of intensities of the first and second laser beams, respectively, that have been backscattered by a surface after passing through the gas plume
Implementation Method 3
Burning hydrocarbons produces pollutant gases, such as carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrogen trioxide (NO3), and/or sulfur dioxide (SO2), as well as residual unburned hydrocarbon
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Gas monitoring systems (500) and methods for determining a burning hydrocarbon effluent gas plume property. A laser emission system emits laser beams (564) along a path through the plume (532). A detection system facilitates determining intensity data indicative of intensities of the laser beams (564) backscattered by a surface (522) after passing through the plume (532). The laser emission system emits a first laser beam (564) along the path while tuning its wavelength around a wavelength corresponding to a CO2 spectral absorption line. The laser emission system emits a second laser beam (564) along the path while tuning its wavelength around a wavelength corresponding to a spectral absorption line of a second predetermined gas. The processing system determines a first concentration path length of the CO2 based on the first intensity data, a second concentration path length of the second predetermined gas based on the second intensity data, and the plume property based on the determined concentration path lengths. The plume property may be the rate of emission of the second predetermined gas or the combustion efficiency.