Microchip Calorific Value Measurement via Multi-Temperature Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for measuring the calorific value of mixed gases require costly equipment such as gas chromatography or speed-of-sound sensors, making them inefficient and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A calorific value measuring system that uses a microchip with a heating element, temperature measuring elements, and a calorific value calculation equation to determine the calorific value of mixed gases without the need for costly sensors, by applying different voltages to the heating element and measuring the resulting electric signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gas chromatography equipment or speed-of-sound sensors are used to measure calorific value, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex measurement equipment (gas chromatography, speed-of-sound sensors) with a simple microchip that has a short development time and low cost. The microchip uses standard semiconductor manufacturing processes to create heating elements and temperature sensors that are inexpensive yet sufficient for calorific value measurement when combined with the specific calculation method.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes complex mechanical and physical measurement systems with an electrical system based on heating elements and temperature sensing. Instead of using speed-of-sound sensors or gas chromatography, the invention uses electrical heating elements whose resistance changes provide the necessary measurement data for calorific value calculation through a specific formula.
2Measurement precision
If gas chromatography equipment is used to analyze mixed gas composition, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces costly gas chromatography equipment with an inexpensive microchip-based measurement system. The microchip contains heating elements and temperature sensors that can determine calorific value through electrical resistance measurements, eliminating the need for expensive analytical instrumentation while maintaining sufficient accuracy for practical applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement approach from direct gas composition analysis to indirect calorific value determination through heating element resistance measurements. By measuring how the resistance of heating elements changes at different temperatures in the gas, the system derives calorific value without needing to identify individual gas components, thus avoiding the cost of gas chromatography.
3Measurement precision
If speed-of-sound sensors and thermal conductivity sensors are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of heating elements and temperature sensors into a single microchip structure. The heating elements serve dual purposes: they provide controlled heating and their resistance changes serve as the measurement signal. This integration eliminates the need for separate speed-of-sound sensors and thermal conductivity sensors, simplifying the overall system while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating elements in the microchip perform multiple functions: they act as heat sources, temperature sensors (through resistance measurement), and the measurement probe itself. This multi-functionality replaces what would traditionally require separate specialized sensors, making the system easier to operate and more compact.
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
Enables accurate and cost-effective measurement of the calorific value of mixed gases, reducing the need for expensive equipment and improving efficiency in calculating the calorific value of mixed gas compositions.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element 61, for generating heat at a plurality of heat producing temperatures Th
Implementation Method 2
a first temperature measuring element 62 and a second temperature measuring element 63 that are provided at the diaphragm part of the insulating film 65 so as to have the heating element 61 interposed therebetween
Data Source
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AI summary
A calorific value measuring system having a container filled with a mixed gas to be measured; a microchip includes a heating element producing heat at a plurality of heat producing temperatures, disposed within the container; a measuring portion measuring a value of an electric signal from the heating element contacting the mixed gas being measured, at each of the plurality of heat producing temperatures; an equation storage device storing a calorific value calculating equation that has, for independent variables, the electric signals from the heating element at the plurality of heat producing temperatures and, as the dependent variable, the calorific value; and a calorific value calculating portion calculating the value of the calorific value of the mixed gas being measured by substituting the measured values for the electric signal from the heating element into the independent variables in the calorific value calculating equation.