Multi-Component Fluid Concentration Sensing via Vapor Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining concentrations of components in multi-component fluids require additional equipment and laboratory samples, which are time-consuming and risky, and do not allow for real-time, on-site measurements, especially for volatile fluids where vapor pressure is crucial for safety and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a transducer and electronics to determine vapor pressures of individual components and the multi-component fluid, employing equations to calculate concentrations based on vapor pressures and mole or mass fractions, allowing for real-time, on-site measurement of component concentrations in multi-component fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional equipment and laboratory sampling are used to determine component concentrations, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vibratory meter is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it not only measures mass flow rate and density but also determines component concentrations in multi-component fluids through vapor pressure measurements. This eliminates the need for separate laboratory sampling equipment and integrates concentration measurement capability into the existing flowmeter device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical laboratory sampling system with a vapor pressure-based measurement system. Instead of physically collecting samples and analyzing them in a lab, the system uses vapor pressure measurements taken during normal flow operation to determine component concentrations, substituting a more efficient measurement approach.
2Measurement precision
If laboratory sampling is used for concentration determination, then measurement accuracy is improved, but time loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs vapor pressure measurements continuously during normal flow operation, obtaining concentration data in advance rather than waiting for periodic laboratory sampling. This preliminary and continuous measurement approach eliminates the time delay between sampling and result availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system operates continuously during fluid flow, providing real-time concentration data rather than intermittent laboratory results. This continuous measurement ensures that concentration information is always available without interruption to the process.
3Reliability
If traditional measurement methods are used for volatile fluids, then safety risks are reduced, but measurement capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes vapor pressure measurements, which are based on the phase transition equilibrium between liquid and vapor phases. By measuring the vapor pressure of volatile components during flow, the system can determine concentrations while accounting for the volatile nature of the fluids, thereby maintaining safety through appropriate vapor pressure monitoring.
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, real-time determination of component concentrations in multi-component fluids, improving safety and reducing the need for laboratory sampling, while enhancing measurement capabilities of vibratory meters.
Implementation Method 1
Vapor pressure is an important property in applications which handle flow and storage of volatile fluids such as gasoline, natural gas liquids, and liquid petroleum gas. Vapor pressure provides an indication of how volatile fluids may perform during handling, and further indicates conditions under which bubbles will likely form and pressure will likely build.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system (700) for using a vapor pressure to determine a concentration of a component in a multi-component fluid is provided. The system (700) includes an electronics (710) communicatively coupled to a transducer (720) configured to sense a multi-component fluid. The electronics (710) is configured to determine a first vapor pressure, the first vapor pressure being a vapor pressure of a first component of the multi-component fluid, determine a second vapor pressure, the second vapor pressure being a vapor pressure of a second component of the multi-component fluid, and determine a multi-component vapor pressure, the multi-component vapor pressure being a vapor pressure of the multi-component fluid. The electronics (710) is also configured to determine a concentration of at least one of the first component and the second component based on the multi-component vapor pressure, the first vapor pressure, and the second vapor pressure.