Non-invasive Pipe Skin Temperature Flow Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring process fluid characteristics like pressure, flow rate, or temperature in industrial processes require invasive measurements, which can be impractical and lead to instrument damage due to abrasive fluids.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive process fluid flow system using first and second pipe skin sensors to measure external temperatures on a process fluid conduit, coupled with measurement circuitry and a controller to identify flow conditions and estimate process fluid temperature through heat flow calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive measuring instruments are used to measure process fluid characteristics, then measurement precision is improved, but device reliability deteriorates due to instrument wear and damage from abrasive high-velocity process fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary thermal field between the measurement system and the process fluid. Temperature sensors mounted on the external surface of the conduit measure the temperature of the conduit wall, which acts as a thermal intermediary carrying information about the process fluid temperature without direct contact. This thermal mediation allows accurate temperature measurement while avoiding the reliability issues of invasive instruments exposed to abrasive fluids.
2Adaptability or versatility
If invasive measuring instruments are installed in the process fluid conduit, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to required apertures and sealing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature sensing function from the internal process fluid environment and relocates it to the external surface of the conduit. By taking out the sensors from the invasive position and mounting them externally, the system eliminates the need for apertures, seals, and complex installation mechanisms while retaining the ability to measure process fluid temperature through the conduit wall.
3Reliability
If temperature sensors are mounted on the external surface of the conduit, then device reliability is improved by avoiding direct exposure to abrasive process fluid, but measurement precision deteriorates due to thermal interference from ambient temperature and conduit material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the conduit wall serve multiple functions: it continues to contain and transport the process fluid while simultaneously acting as a thermal conduction path for temperature sensing. The conduit material's inherent thermal conductivity is utilized to transfer process fluid temperature information to external sensors, eliminating the need for separate sensing mechanisms and reducing thermal interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from multiple temperature measurements (process fluid temperature, ambient temperature, and conduit surface temperature) to calculate and compensate for thermal interference. By continuously monitoring these temperatures and using heat flow calculations, the system adjusts measurements to account for thermal gradients and ambient conditions, maintaining measurement precision despite external mounting.
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 accurate process fluid temperature estimation and flow condition identification without breaching the process fluid conduit, offering flexibility in deployment at any conduit location and reducing the risk of instrument damage.
Implementation Method 1
The first pipe skin sensor is disposed to measure an external temperature of a process fluid conduit at a first location on the process fluid conduit. The second pipe skin sensor is disposed to measure an external temperature of a process fluid conduit at a second location on the process fluid conduit.
Implementation Method 2
The controller is configured to use the process fluid flow condition output and a heat flow calculation to provide a process fluid temperature estimation output that is adjusted based on the process fluid flow condition output.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A process fluid flow system (300) includes a first pipe skin sensor (306, 320, 322, 324) and a second pipe skin sensor (306, 320, 322, 324). The first pipe skin sensor (306, 320, 322, 324) is disposed to measure an external temperature of a process fluid conduit (100) at a first location on the process fluid conduit (100). The second pipe skin sensor (306, 320, 322, 324) is disposed to measure an external temperature of a process fluid conduit (100) at a second location on the process fluid conduit (100). Measurement circuitry (238) is coupled to the first and second pipe skin sensors (306, 320, 322, 324). A controller (222) is coupled to the measurement circuitry (238) and is configured to identify a process fluid flow condition based on signals from the first and second pipe skin sensors (306, 320, 322, 324) and to output an indication of the process fluid flow condition.