Optical Characterization System for Process Plant Liquids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical characterization systems are not effectively suited for reliably and reproducibly characterizing opaque or nearly non-transparent liquids containing solid particles, as well as heterogeneous fluids, in process plants, due to issues with particle settling and bubble interference.
Innovation Solution
A characterization system that includes a sample section with an inlet and outlet valve, a pressurizer, and an agitator, which agitates the liquid sample during optical characterization, ensuring all particles are kept in circulation and reducing bubble presence, allowing for accurate measurement of optical transmission, reflection, or scattering properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the liquid sample is allowed to stand still during optical characterization, then particle settling occurs which simplifies the measurement setup, but the measurement reliability deteriorates because particles are not uniformly distributed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by introducing an agitator that continuously stirs the liquid sample during optical characterization. This creates a dynamic system where particles remain suspended and uniformly distributed throughout the sample volume, eliminating the particle settling problem that would occur in a static system. The agitator ensures that the particle distribution remains homogeneous throughout the measurement process, thereby improving measurement reliability without requiring complex pre-processing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by maintaining continuous agitation throughout the optical characterization process. Rather than allowing the sample to stand still between measurements, the agitator operates continuously to keep particles in suspension. This ensures that each measurement is taken from a uniformly distributed particle population, eliminating the need to repeat measurements due to particle settling and thereby improving both measurement precision and operational efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If bubbles are present in the liquid sample, then the sample can be easily introduced without degassing, but the optical measurement reliability deteriorates due to light scattering and absorption by bubbles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by introducing a pressurizer that removes bubbles from the liquid sample before optical characterization begins. The pressurizer applies pressure to the sample to force dissolved gases and trapped bubbles out of the liquid phase, thereby eliminating light-scattering interfaces before measurements are taken. This preliminary degassing step ensures that subsequent optical measurements are not compromised by bubble interference, improving measurement precision without requiring complex real-time bubble removal systems.
3Reliability
If heavy and light particles are present in the liquid, then the sample represents a realistic process stream, but the optical characterization reliability deteriorates because particles separate under gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by using an agitator to continuously mix particles of different densities throughout the liquid sample during optical characterization. This dynamic agitation counteracts gravitational separation, ensuring that both heavy and light particles remain uniformly distributed in the sample volume. The system maintains a dynamic equilibrium where particles are constantly moved and redistributed, preventing the formation of density-based layers and thereby ensuring that the optical characterization accurately represents the entire particle population in the process stream.
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 system provides consistent and reproducible optical characterization by maintaining a homogeneous state of the liquid sample, reducing downtime due to sedimentation, and enhancing the reliability of measurements by ensuring all particles influence the results, regardless of their size or buoyancy.
Implementation Method 1
a pressurizer adapted to pressurize the sample section
Implementation Method 2
an agitator adapted to agitate at least a part of the liquid sample inside the sample section
Implementation Method 3
allowing for accurate measurement of optical transmission, reflection, or scattering properties
Implementation Method 4
allowing for accurate measurement of optical transmission, reflection, or scattering properties
Implementation Method 5
allowing for accurate measurement of optical transmission, reflection, or scattering properties
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a characterization system (100) for performing optical characterization of a liquid sample in a process plant, comprising a sample section (103) for holding the liquid sample, an inlet comprising an inlet valve (121) adapted to control a flow of the liquid sample into the sample section (103), an outlet comprising an outlet valve (122) adapted to control a flow of the liquid sample out of the sample section (103), a pressurizer (130) adapted to pressurize the sample section (103), an agitator (140, 800) adapted to agitate at least a part of the liquid sample inside the sample section (103) when the sample section (103) is pressurized by the pressurizer (130), a measuring device (150) adapted to perform optical characterization of the liquid sample inside the sample section (103) while the liquid sample is pressurized and agitated during or after agitation by the agitator, wherein the inlet valve and the outlet valve are connected to a line pipe (202) and the characterization system is adapted to receive the liquid sample from the line pipe through the inlet valve, characterize the liquid sample in the sample section (103), and optionally return at least a part of the liquid sample to the line pipe through the outlet valve.