Odorization Device Using Electrohydrodynamic Atomization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing odorization devices for combustible gases, such as natural gas and biogas, face limitations in droplet size control and diffusion efficiency due to large droplet sizes, leading to accumulation of odorant at the bottom of pipelines, especially at low flow velocities, making gas leakage detection challenging.
Innovation Solution
An electrohydrodynamic atomization (EHDA) apparatus is used to produce charged droplets of odorant with sizes ranging from a few micrometers to 70 micrometers, significantly improving diffusion and reducing accumulation by atomizing the odorant using an electric field, allowing for efficient dispersion in gas streams through various flow directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If drip injection is used to inject odorant into gas stream, then the device structure is simple, but the droplet size is large (several millimetres) and diffusion is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical drip injection system with an electrohydrodynamic atomization system. The EHDA apparatus uses high voltage electric fields to atomize the odorant liquid into fine charged droplets (1-70 micrometers), substituting mechanical droplet formation with electrohydrodynamic forces. This resolves the contradiction by achieving precise droplet size control through electrical parameters rather than mechanical adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of droplet formation by using electrohydrodynamic forces instead of gravitational drip injection. By controlling voltage, electrode geometry, and liquid flow rate, the system achieves precise control over droplet size (1-70 micrometers), transforming the uncontrolled large droplets of drip injection into uniformly sized fine droplets.
2Device complexity
If large droplets are used in gas stream, then the injection mechanism is simple, but the diffusion of odorant is limited especially at low flow velocities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the passive mechanical drip injection with an active electrohydrodynamic atomization system. The EHDA apparatus generates fine charged droplets that diffuse much faster in the gas stream due to their small size (1-70 micrometers versus several millimeters). The electric field and resulting droplet charge enhance dispersion efficiency, resolving the contradiction between simple injection and fast diffusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the odorant liquid into extremely fine droplets (1-70 micrometers) using electrohydrodynamic atomization. This segmentation increases the total surface area of the odorant by several orders of magnitude compared to large droplets, enabling rapid diffusion and mixing with the gas stream even at low flow velocities.
3Ease of operation
If drip injection is used, then the device is simple to operate, but the odorant accumulates at the bottom of the pipeline
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces gravitational drip injection with electrohydrodynamic atomization, which produces uniformly sized fine droplets (1-70 micrometers) that remain suspended in the gas stream due to their small size and electric charge. This substitution eliminates the sedimentation and accumulation problems associated with large droplets, while the system remains relatively simple to operate through electronic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and distribution parameters of the odorant by atomizing it into fine charged droplets. This parameter change ensures uniform distribution throughout the gas stream and prevents accumulation at pipeline bottoms, as the small droplet size and electric charge promote sustained suspension and mixing rather than gravitational settling.
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 EHDA apparatus enhances odorant dispersion and evaporation within gas streams, significantly reducing the risk of gas leakage by achieving uniform distribution and ensuring effective detection of leaks, even at low flow velocities.
Implementation Method 1
an electrohydrodynamic atomisation (EHDA) apparatus that is configured to atomize an odorant into charged droplets of odorant for dispensing into a gas transportation means
Implementation Method 2
the electrohydrodynamic atomisation (EHDA) apparatus, during operation, atomizes the odorant by means of an electric field, which also imparts the charge to the droplets
Implementation Method 3
the diffusion of the odorant in the combustable gas is increased
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an odorization device for a combustable gas, such as natural gas, wherein the odorization device comprises an electrohydrodynamic atomisation (EHDA) apparatus that is configured to atomizing odorant into charged droplets of odorant for dispensing into a gas transportation means. The invention further relates to a method for dispensing odorant into a gas stream and the use of an electrohydrodynamic atomisation (EHDA) apparatus in a method according to the invention.