Sealed Soil Probe With Dual Chambers For Reliable CO2 Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current monitoring devices for underground fluid storage sites, such as CO2 or methane, face challenges in long-term reliability and environmental disturbance due to their design and materials, which fail to simultaneously measure gas exchanges and electrical properties without causing significant environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A device with a measuring cell comprising two chambers, where the first chamber performs measurements and the second chamber protects connections, allowing for sealed and corrosion-resistant connections to a surface analyzer, enabling long-term monitoring with minimal environmental disturbance by sampling and analyzing fluids while measuring electrical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional monitoring devices are used for underground fluid storage sites, then gas exchange measurements can be obtained, but the devices cause significant environmental disturbance and fail to provide long-term reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring device is divided into two separate chambers: a first chamber for performing measurements and a second chamber for protecting connections. This segmentation allows the measurement functions to be isolated from the connection infrastructure, enabling long-term reliable operation while minimizing environmental disturbance through targeted, localized measurement activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sealed connection system that acts as an intermediary between the measurement chamber and the external environment. This sealed connection allows data and power transmission while preventing environmental contamination and protecting internal components, thereby ensuring long-term reliability without requiring frequent maintenance or intervention.
2Loss of information
If conventional devices perform multiple measurements simultaneously, then comprehensive data is obtained, but the device complexity increases and environmental impact is amplified
Solution Approach 1:
The first chamber is designed to perform multiple measurement functions (gas exchange measurements, electrical properties measurements, and other physical measurements) within a single integrated space. This multi-functionality allows comprehensive data collection without requiring multiple separate devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity and minimizing environmental disturbance through a single localized installation.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If connection protection is added to the measuring device, then long-term operation is enabled, but the device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested chamber structure where the first measurement chamber is contained within or integrated with the second protective chamber. This nesting approach allows connection protection to be incorporated without significantly increasing overall device complexity or installation difficulty, as the protective structure serves dual purposes: protecting connections and providing structural housing for measurements.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for monitoring an formation below the ground G containing a fluid such as CO2 or methane comprising a measuring cell arranged in a cavity, can an F analyzer disposed on the surface and a sealed connection connecting measuring cell to the analyzer. The measuring cell comprises two chambers that can sealingly communicate with one another. The first chamber comprises a plurality of orifices allowing passage of the fluid into first chamber, at least two inner electrodes and fluid circulator. The second chamber is impervious to the fluid. Applications include monitoring of geological storages sites for gas such as CO2.