Liquid Sampling Container With Internal Shear Mixer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrocarbon samples undergo changes in composition during transportation due to separation of immiscible phases and stratification, leading to inaccurate laboratory sub-samples, as existing sampling technologies fail to maintain homogeneity and integrity of multi-phase fluids.
Innovation Solution
A fluid sampling container with an internal shear mixer, comprising a rotor and stator, continuously mixes the sample to maintain homogeneity of multiple phases, preventing phase changes and stratification, and includes a controller to operate the mixer under conditions that keep the concentration of components constant throughout transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the sample is transported without mixing, then the transportation is simple and quick, but the phases separate and homogeneity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor and stator are nested within each other, with the rotor positioned inside the stator. This compact nested arrangement allows the mixing mechanism to be integrated into the sampling container without significantly increasing its external dimensions, thus maintaining portability while preventing phase separation during transportation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor is designed to rotate relative to the stationary stator, creating dynamic shear forces that actively mix the multi-phase fluid during transportation. This dynamic mixing mechanism adapts to different flow conditions and maintains homogeneity throughout the transport process, resolving the contradiction between simple transportation and composition stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a mixing mechanism is added to maintain homogeneity, then the composition stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The design incorporates considerations for feedback control of the mixing process, allowing the system to maintain optimal mixing conditions throughout transportation. This feedback mechanism ensures that the mixing intensity is adjusted appropriately to prevent phase separation while avoiding excessive complexity in the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The stator acts as an intermediary element between the rotating rotor and the fluid, with its stationary blades creating shear zones that work in conjunction with the rotor to achieve effective mixing. This intermediary structure distributes the mixing action throughout the fluid volume without requiring a complex multi-component system.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the sample is kept static during transport, then energy consumption is low, but phase separation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing mechanism can operate in periodic intervals rather than continuously, activating the rotor at scheduled intervals during transportation to maintain homogeneity. This periodic operation significantly reduces energy consumption compared to continuous mixing while still preventing phase separation, as the fluid is re-mixed periodically to maintain its homogeneous state throughout the transport journey.
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
The container ensures that the composition of the sample remains unchanged, maintaining homogeneity and integrity, thereby providing accurate and representative sub-samples at the laboratory, preventing loss of volatile components and ensuring consistent analytical results.
Implementation Method 1
The rotor includes a rotary shear blade configured to shear the sample multi-phase fluid such that a homogeneity of multiple phases in the sample multi-phase fluid remains substantially constant
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B~2C
AI summary
A liquid sampling container with an internal mixer includes a sealed outer body configured to hold a sample multi-phase fluid obtained from a multi-phase fluid stream. An inlet line is attached to the outer body. The sample multi-phase fluid flows into the sealed outer body through the inlet line. A piston assembly is positioned within the sealed outer body. The piston assembly is sealed to the inner walls of the outer body to define a sample volume in which the sample multi-phase fluid is contained. A shear mixer is positioned within the sealed outer body. The shear mixer includes a rotor and a stator arranged to define a fluid passage and rotatable relative to each other. The rotor includes a rotary shear blade configured to shear the sample multi-phase fluid such that a homogeneity of multiple phases in the sample multi-phase fluid remains substantially constant.