Non-invasive Reactor Temperature Monitoring via Emissivity Reference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring temperature in biological and chemical reactors are invasive, inaccurate due to dirt accumulation, and can disrupt fluid dynamics, while contactless pyrometers are limited by unknown emissivity levels, especially in processes with changing component ratios and mixtures.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive method that measures thermal radiation from reactors, determining the ratio of components based on their emissivities to calculate process parameters like temperature, using photometric measurements and spectrally selective optical elements to correct for absorption and reflection artifacts, allowing for robust thermal data even in dynamic processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive temperature sensors are introduced into the reactor interior, then temperature measurement is achieved, but the sensors get dirty and lose accuracy, and they influence mixing and fluid dynamics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance with known emissivity into the reactor contents to serve as a reference for temperature measurement. This intermediary allows non-invasive pyrometric measurement by providing a stable emissivity reference that is not affected by the changing composition of the reactor contents, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving temperature measurement and maintaining sensor accuracy without invasive contact
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive temperature sensor system with a non-invasive optical pyrometric measurement system. This substitution eliminates the physical contact between sensors and reactor contents, preventing dirt accumulation and interference with fluid dynamics, while still achieving accurate temperature measurement through the intermediary substance
2Ease of operation
If pyrometers are used for contactless temperature determination, then non-invasive measurement is achieved, but reliable measurement requires known emissivity levels which are not available in biological and chemical processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance with known and stable emissivity into the reactor contents. This intermediary serves as a reference that enables pyrometric temperature measurement without requiring knowledge of the emissivity of the complex reactor contents, thereby resolving the contradiction between non-invasive measurement capability and measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the emissivity parameter of the reactor contents by adding an intermediary substance with known emissivity. This modification creates a reference point with stable optical properties that allows accurate temperature determination through pyrometry, overcoming the limitation of unknown emissivity in biological and chemical processes
3Ease of operation
If non-contact pyrometric methods are used, then no invasive contact is required, but changes in component ratios and mixing ratios cause emissivity changes that prevent reliable temperature determination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance that remains stable throughout the process and provides a constant emissivity reference. This intermediary compensates for changes in component ratios and mixing ratios of the reactor contents, enabling reliable non-contact temperature measurement even in dynamic processes with changing composition
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the intermediary substance with known emissivity as a feedback reference for temperature measurement. By comparing the thermal radiation from the intermediary against its known emissivity properties, the system can accurately determine temperature despite changes in the surrounding reactor contents, providing reliable thermal data in dynamic conditions
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 reliable, non-invasive temperature determination and monitoring of thermodynamic processes without influencing the reactor contents, providing accurate thermal data even in complex and dynamic conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a first measurement of thermal radiation emanating from the process, which occurs in particular inside or outside the reactor
Implementation Method 2
an optical element which absorbs or reflects thermal radiation from the reactor contents
Implementation Method 3
an optical element which absorbs or reflects thermal radiation from the reactor contents
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2d
AI summary
Method for monitoring a target process parameter (G) of a chemical, biochemical, biological and/or physical process taking place within a reactor (1), wherein the process comprises at least a first component with a first emissivity (C, ε1) and a second component with a second emissivity (F, ε2), wherein the first emissivity (B; ε1) and the second emissivity (F;ε2) are different, comprising a first measurement of thermal radiation emanating from the process (J, 9a, 9b), wherein the measurement is non-invasive with respect to the process, wherein at least a second process parameter (A, 10) is determined on the basis of at least a second measurement, wherein a proportion ratio of the first and second components to each other is determined on the basis of the at least one second process parameter (10), wherein the target process parameter is determined on the basis of the measured thermal radiation (J, 9a, 9b) and on the basis of the proportion ratio taking into account the respective emissivities (C, ε1, F, ε1) of the components.;