Micrometric Valve Actuation for Precise High-Pressure Gas Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies fail to accurately control gas pressure in fixed bed adsorption equipment operating at high pressures and low flow rates, leading to inefficiencies and variations that mask experimental results, and existing solutions are costly and lack technical assistance in the national market.
Innovation Solution
A micrometric valve actuator device using a stepper motor controlled by a microcontroller board and a pulley-belt system, allowing precise control of gas pressure by adjusting the micrometric valve's position, which can operate in various modes and adapt to different gas compositions or two-phase flows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If commercial backpressure valves are used for pressure control, then pressure regulation function is provided, but pressure control precision deteriorates with variations of 5 bar above and below set-point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical commercial backpressure valve with an actuated system that uses a stepper motor and microcontroller to mechanically position a needle valve. This substitution of mechanical pressure regulation with an electronically controlled positioning system enables precise pressure control by accurately positioning the valve needle, eliminating the large pressure variations (±5 bar) characteristic of commercial backpressure valves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from passive pressure-based regulation to active position-based control. By controlling the angular position of the needle valve through stepper motor steps, the system can precisely regulate pressure. The microcontroller adjusts the valve position parameter to maintain set-point pressure, providing both precision and stability simultaneously.
2Measurement precision
If specialized foreign technology is used, then pressure control precision is improved, but cost increases and technical assistance availability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive, readily available components: a standard stepper motor, a microcontroller board (Arduino), and common pulley-belt transmission elements. These replace expensive specialized foreign technology while maintaining precision. The use of off-the-shelf components ensures ease of manufacture and availability of technical assistance in the national market.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses universal, multi-functional components that can be applied to various pressure control applications. The stepper motor can be controlled through software to achieve different positioning requirements, the pulley-belt system provides adaptable mechanical transmission, and the microcontroller can be programmed for different control algorithms. This universality reduces cost while maintaining precision across multiple applications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If valve coefficient changes due to varying gas composition, then adaptability to different gas compositions is improved, but pressure control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where a pressure sensor continuously monitors the actual pressure and feeds this information back to the microcontroller. The microcontroller compares the measured pressure with the set-point and adjusts the stepper motor position accordingly to maintain precise pressure control. This feedback mechanism compensates for changes in valve coefficient caused by varying gas compositions, maintaining precision while adapting to different gases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static valve positioning into a dynamic, adjustable system. The needle valve position is no longer fixed but can be dynamically adjusted by the stepper motor based on real-time pressure feedback. This dynamic positioning capability allows the system to adapt to changing gas compositions and valve coefficients while maintaining precise pressure control through continuous adjustment.
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 device provides reliable and reproducible pressure control with minimal variations, reducing operational issues and maintenance costs, and can be used in a wide range of processes involving high-pressure gas streams.
Implementation Method 1
a stepper motor (1)
Implementation Method 2
a toothed pulley with 40 teeth (5) is attached to the needle valve head (6). A toothed pulley with 20 teeth (2) is connected to the stepper motor shaft (1). A toothed belt with 2 mm spacing between the teeth and 6 mm thickness (3) connects the two pulleys
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention addresses to a device that allows the control of the gas pressure at the outlet of a fixed bed adsorption equipment operated at high pressures, by means of the actuation of a micrometric valve (6), wherein the valve must be located downstream of the equipment. The valve actuation takes place by means of a stepper motor (1), controlled by a microcontroller board (22), which connects to the valve shaft by means of a system of pulleys (2, 5) and belt (3). The present invention is applied in adsorption units, in which other gases are present, by altering the tuning parameters of the PID controller or even being used in a liquid medium or gas-liquid two-phase flow.