Microwave Black Powder Detection in Pressurized Pipelines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for detecting black powder contaminants in natural gas pipelines are inadequate, particularly in high-pressure applications, as they often require cavity resonators or perturb the flow, and struggle to detect small flow rates, limiting their effectiveness in both metallic and non-metallic pipelines.
Innovation Solution
A hermetically-sealed microwave detection system operating at 24 GHz, using a custom-designed probe that transmits and receives microwaves through a pipeline without requiring cavity resonators or waveguide configurations, allowing for real-time detection and imaging of black powder in both metallic and non-metallic pipelines, even under high pressure and temperature conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional detection methods using cavity resonators are used, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity and flow perturbation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from complex cavity resonator systems and implements it using simple microwave antennas that transmit and receive signals directly through the pipeline, eliminating the need for resonator structures while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical cavity resonator structures with electromagnetic wave-based detection using microwave antennas, substituting a mechanical system with an electromagnetic field-based system that is simpler and causes less flow perturbation
2Measurement precision
If conventional detection methods are used, then detection capability is improved, but flow perturbation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the intrusive resonator structures from the detection system, using only microwave antennas that transmit signals through the pipeline without physically interfering with the gas flow, thereby eliminating flow perturbation while maintaining detection precision
3Measurement precision
If conventional detection methods are used, then detection capability is limited, but applicability to high-pressure applications is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal detection system using microwave antennas that can operate in both metallic and non-metallic pipelines under various pressure conditions, making the system adaptable to diverse applications including high-pressure natural gas transmission pipelines where conventional methods fail
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 sensitive detection of black powder at very small flow rates (less than 1g/s) without perturbing the flow, allowing for early detection, localization of the source, and cost-effective maintenance, while avoiding the need for sampling or waveguide usage, thus improving pipeline integrity and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting and receiving an electromagnetic signal through a multiphase flow, and inferring the dielectric properties of the flow based on the amplitude and phase change of the received signal
Implementation Method 2
inferring the dielectric properties of the flow based on the amplitude and phase change of the received signal
Implementation Method 3
deducing flow properties based on the shift of the resonance frequency as well as the quality factor in the transmitted signal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Method and apparatus for the detection and measurement of contaminant concentration within pressurized fluid flows in real‐time. The provided method and apparatus allow for real‐time detection of black powder contaminants in pressurized gas flows by irradiating the flow with electromagnetic waves generated by hermetically‐sealed electromagnetic wave radiators and measuring wave characteristics. An image is rendered of the spatial distribution of black powder within the pipe cross section, and mass flow of the contaminated gas is measured.