Methane Intake Air Assessment for Industrial Engines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the amount of methane supplied to industrial engines as vent gas are inadequate due to their inability to adjust for changes in vent gas composition, susceptibility to human error in sample collection, and the need for separate flow meters for different sources, leading to inaccurate greenhouse gas emission measurements.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using a methane concentration sensor to measure methane levels in the intake air before mixing with main fuel, combined with sensors for flow rate and pressure data, to calculate the amount of methane introduced by vent gases, allowing for real-time monitoring and calculation of greenhouse gas emissions without requiring regular gas sampling or flow meter calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual collection of vent gas samples is performed for composition analysis, then greenhouse gas emission measurements can be obtained, but the measurements are subject to human error and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical sampling with automated electronic sensing. A methane concentration sensor continuously measures methane levels in the intake air, eliminating the need for manual sample collection, laboratory analysis, and human intervention. This substitution of mechanical/manual processes with electronic automation resolves the contradiction by providing both precise and reliable measurements without human error or contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous measurement of methane concentration in the intake air stream, replacing periodic discrete sampling. The sensor continuously monitors methane levels, providing an unbroken stream of data that captures temporal variations in vent gas composition. This continuous action ensures both precision and reliability by eliminating gaps between measurements where composition changes could occur.
2Measurement precision
If periodic vent gas sample collection is used for composition analysis, then methane content can be determined, but changes in vent gas composition between sampling periods cannot be adjusted for
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs continuous monitoring of methane concentration in the intake air, eliminating the periodic sampling intervals that cause missed composition changes. The sensor provides real-time data that immediately reflects any variation in vent gas composition, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions without delay. This continuous action resolves the contradiction by maintaining both accurate measurement and immediate responsiveness to composition changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the methane concentration sensor continuously monitors the intake air composition and provides real-time data to the control system. This feedback loop enables the system to detect and respond to composition changes as they occur, rather than relying on periodic snapshots. The feedback principle resolves the contradiction by ensuring both precise measurement and adaptability to changing vent gas composition.
3Measurement precision
If separate flow meters are used for vent gases from different sources, then accurate flow measurement for each source is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the measurement of methane from multiple vent gas sources into a single integrated measurement system. Instead of using separate flow meters for each source, the system measures the combined methane concentration in the mixed intake air stream. This consolidation reduces the number of devices while maintaining measurement accuracy through the continuous monitoring of the total methane content entering the engine.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal measurement approach that handles multiple vent gas sources through a single methane concentration sensor. The sensor is designed to measure methane regardless of its source, making the measurement system multi-functional and adaptable to various vent gas compositions. This universality resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for source-specific devices while maintaining accurate measurement of total methane input.
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 enables accurate, continuous measurement of methane introduced into industrial engines, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and simplifying the process for obtaining greenhouse gas credits by eliminating the need for frequent vent gas analysis and flow meter calibration.
Implementation Method 1
receiving methane concentration data of a concentration of methane in the intake air as measured by a methane concentration sensor disposed at a location along an intake line
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to assessing the intake air flow of industrial engines. For an industrial engine that receives vent gas added to intake air for combustion, a gas concentration sensor is used to measure a concentration of a particular gas, e.g. methane, in the intake air. An amount of the methane component in the intake air flowing to the engine that was added by the vent gas can be determined from the measured concentration of methane in the intake air and a flow rate of the intake air. The intake air flow rate may be directly measured, or calculated using instrumentation which may already be in place for engine air-to-fuel ratio control.