Portable Hydrocarbon Pour Point Tester with Segmented Peltier Baths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for determining the pour point of hydrocarbon fluids are cumbersome, require large amounts of refrigerants, and are not suitable for simultaneous multi-sample analysis, leading to sample degradation and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A portable device with multiple independent thermostatic baths and Peltier elements allows for simultaneous temperature control of multiple samples, reducing the need for refrigerants and enabling efficient analysis of multiple samples in various conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a thermostatic bath with refrigerating fluid is used for pour point determination, then the device can perform temperature control, but it requires large amounts of refrigerant (5-10 litres) which increases operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the single large thermostatic bath into multiple smaller independent thermostatic baths (at least two). Each small bath contains only the refrigerant volume needed for its specific sample, dramatically reducing the total refrigerant volume from 5-10 litres to much smaller amounts while maintaining temperature control capability for multiple samples simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-volume refrigerant system to a multi-volume distributed refrigerant system. By creating multiple independent thermal zones with separate refrigerant containment, the system achieves the same overall temperature control function using fractionated refrigerant volumes across parallel dimensions
2Productivity
If a single thermostatic bath is used, then the device structure is simple, but it can perform only one test at a time which reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the testing function into multiple independent thermostatic baths (at least two), each capable of performing a pour point test simultaneously. This segmentation enables parallel testing operations, increasing productivity from one test at a time to multiple concurrent tests while maintaining relatively simple individual bath structures
Solution Approach 2:
Each thermostatic bath is designed as a universal testing unit that can independently perform complete pour point determination. The modular design allows each segment to function as a complete testing system, providing multi-functionality at the component level that translates to enhanced overall productivity
3Ease of operation
If samples are transported from extraction site to analysis site, then the device can be placed in a fixed location, but the samples undergo ageing process which alters their chemical-physical properties
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the thermostatic baths from a fixed laboratory setting and integrates them into a portable device that can be transported to the sample extraction site. By taking out the temperature control functionality and bringing it to the sampling location, the system eliminates the need to transport samples, thereby preventing ageing and preserving sample integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The portable device with integrated thermostatic baths acts as an intermediary between the sample extraction site and the analysis requirement. Instead of moving samples to a fixed analysis location, the analysis capability is brought to the extraction site through this intermediary portable system, eliminating sample transport and associated degradation
4Productivity
If a portable device with multiple thermostatic baths is used, then productivity increases, but the device weight must remain under 32kg for air transport
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the cooling system into multiple small independent thermostatic baths instead of one large system. This segmentation reduces the total refrigerant volume and allows for compact arrangement of cooling components, enabling the overall device to meet the 32kg weight limit while maintaining multi-sample analysis capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameters of the refrigerant system by using smaller volumes of refrigerant in multiple separate baths rather than large volumes in a single bath. This parameter change reduces the mass of refrigerant and allows for more efficient thermal management with lighter cooling components, achieving productivity enhancement within the weight constraint
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 device enables rapid, cost-effective, and reliable determination of pour points for multiple samples, reducing analysis time and sample degradation, while being lightweight and easy to transport.
Implementation Method 1
A portable device with multiple independent thermostatic baths and Peltier elements allows for simultaneous temperature control of multiple samples
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The device (1) for determining properties of hydrocarbon fluids and similar substances comprises a containing casing (2), thermoregulating means (11, 12) and a working unit (7) in which samples containing hydrocarbon fluids and similar substances to be analysed can be inserted, the working unit (7) comprising a plurality of thermostatic baths (8) associated with said thermoregulating means (11, 12) independently from one another to induce different temperature variations on each one of the samples.