Mist Flow Rate Measurement Using Transparent Imaging Pipe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for measuring the flow rate of raw material mist in mist-containing gases are inaccurate due to time lag and deviations caused by variations in atomization efficiency, leading to estimation errors.
Innovation Solution
A mist flow rate measuring apparatus that includes a mist imaging camera, a transparent imaging pipe with a larger inner diameter than the supply pipes, and a mist flow rate calculation unit to directly measure the flow rate based on imaging information, reducing dew condensation and reflection effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If indirect measurement method (measuring raw material solution consumption) is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to time lag and atomization efficiency variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical indirect measurement method (measuring solution consumption) with an optical measurement method (imaging camera capturing mist distribution). This substitution eliminates the time lag and atomization efficiency variations inherent in indirect methods, while the imaging system's complexity is justified by the significant improvement in measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If imaging pipe with constant inner diameter is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to specific geometric requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging pipe is designed with a constant inner diameter specifically in the region where imaging is performed, while other parts of the pipe can have different dimensions. This localized application of the constant diameter requirement minimizes the overall structural complexity while ensuring measurement precision in the critical imaging zone.
3Measurement precision
If transparent material with high transparency is used for imaging pipe, then measurement precision is improved, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to dew condensation and reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses dew condensation and reflection by applying an anti-reflection coating to the imaging pipe's inner surface. This coating converts the potentially harmful reflection effect into a beneficial feature by reducing unwanted reflections and improving light transmission, thereby maintaining high transparency while eliminating the harmful effects.
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
Accurately measures the flow rate of raw material mist by minimizing dew condensation and reflection, thereby improving the precision of mist flow rate determination.
Implementation Method 1
a mist imaging camera that executes imaging processing with at least a part of a mist flowing region through which a mist-containing gas containing the raw material mist flows set as an imaging target region to acquire imaging information
Data Source
AI summary
In a mist flow rate measuring apparatus of the present disclosure, an external discharge pipe is constituted of a combination of an upstream pipe, a large-diameter transparent pipe, and a downstream pipe. A part of a mist flowing region in the large-diameter transparent pipe is an imaging target region of a mist imaging camera. An inner diameter D31 of the large-diameter transparent pipe is set to a value larger than an inner diameter D7 of the upstream pipe and an inner diameter D8 of the downstream pipe. That is, the large-diameter transparent pipe, the upstream pipe, and the downstream pipe have a magnitude relationship with respect to the inner diameter of {D31>D7=D8}.