Network Gas Analysis Circuit Using Optical Detection at Network Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas analysis methods in networks are inaccurate, complex, and environmentally harmful, requiring pressure reduction and gas discharge into the atmosphere, which violates climate agreements and are not suitable for continuous, real-time, and cost-effective analysis.
Innovation Solution
An installation with an analysis circuit and an optical analyser device that operates at network pressure, allowing continuous gas sampling and analysis without pressure reduction, using ATEX-certified components for safe operation in explosive environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gas chromatography is used for field evaluation of gas quality, then gas composition can be determined, but the gas must be mixed with carrier gas and released into the atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical gas chromatography system with an optical analysis system. The optical analyser uses light absorption spectra to identify and quantify gas components directly in the network, eliminating the need for physical gas sampling, carrier gas mixing, and atmospheric discharge. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining measurement precision while eliminating harmful gas release.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary (light) as the medium for gas analysis. Instead of directly handling and transporting the combustible gas through sampling lines and chromatography columns, the system uses optical signals that interact with the gas molecules to extract compositional information without moving the gas itself, thereby preventing atmospheric discharge.
2Reliability
If pressure reduction is applied to operate chromatography columns and detectors, then analysis can be performed, but the analysed gas cannot be re-introduced into the network and is released into the atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pressure-dependent mechanical chromatography system with a pressure-independent optical analysis system. The optical analyser operates directly at network pressure without requiring pressure reduction, allowing the analysed gas to maintain its pressure integrity and be re-introduced into the network, thereby eliminating atmospheric release.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameter from pressure-reduced conditions to network pressure conditions. By designing an optical analysis system that operates at the original network pressure, the system eliminates the pressure reduction step that previously caused gas loss and atmospheric discharge, while maintaining reliable analysis operation.
3Measurement precision
If optical analysers are used for field gas analysis, then gas can be conveyed into an analytical cell, but the cell operates at limited pressure range below 4 barg requiring pressure reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter of the optical analytical cell from limited low-pressure operation (below 4 barg) to high-pressure operation at network conditions. This parameter change eliminates the need for pressure reduction equipment and associated complexity, while maintaining measurement precision through the optical analysis method.
4Measurement precision
If sampling lines are flushed with gas before analysis, then representative gas sample is obtained, but the flushed gas is released into the surrounding environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical signals as an intermediary to obtain gas compositional information without physical gas transport through sampling lines. The optical analyser measures the absorption spectra of gas components directly in the network, eliminating the flushing operation and associated environmental discharge while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical sampling and flushing system with an optical measurement system. Instead of physically moving gas through lines that require flushing, the system uses light to probe the gas composition in situ, eliminating the need for flushing and preventing environmental release of flushed gas.
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, and cost-effective gas analysis without atmospheric discharge, maintaining network pressure, and allowing gas reintroduction, suitable for continuous operation in potentially explosive environments.
Implementation Method 1
an optical analyser device that operates at network pressure, allowing continuous gas sampling and analysis
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Installation (1) for analysing a gas flow circulating in a network (10) and/or between networks, said network (10) and/or networks comprising a main circuit (11) for the passage of the gas with a first point (12) and a second point (13) connected to each other by a main line (14) for the passage of the gas, said installation (1) being characterised in that it comprises an analysis circuit (20) with a further line (21) for the passage of the gas to be analysed, and wherein said further line (21): - at the inlet and upstream is fluidically connected or connectable with the first point (12), to thus collect the gas to be analysed from the main circuit (11), and - at the outlet and downstream it is fluidically connected or connectable with the second point (13), to thus reintroduce the gas into the main circuit (11), and characterised in that the analysis circuit (20) of the installation (1) also comprises an analyser device (30), preferably of the optical type, which is mounted on the further line (21) of the analysis circuit (20) between the first point (12) and the second point (13) and which is configured to analyse the gas that passes through the further line (21) of the analysis circuit (20).