Self-Powered Gas Flow Meter Using Flow Energy Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas flow meters in industrial processes face challenges with limited power supply, particularly in hazardous environments, and require frequent battery replacements.
Innovation Solution
A flow meter system that incorporates an energy harvesting device, such as a turbine or thermoelectric generator, to convert gas flow energy into electrical energy, powering the meter and storing excess energy for later use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a battery is used to power the flow meter, then the flow meter can operate continuously, but the battery needs periodic checking and replacement which increases maintenance complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The flow meter system harvests energy from the gas flow it monitors to power its own components, making the system self-sufficient. The turbine or thermoelectric generator converts kinetic or thermal energy from the gas flow into electrical energy, eliminating the need for external battery replacement and reducing maintenance complexity while maintaining continuous operation.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If powerlines are used to power the flow meter, then continuous power supply is available, but power availability is limited in hazardous environments
Solution Approach 1:
The flow meter generates its own power from the gas flow using a turbine or thermoelectric generator, making it independent of external powerlines. This self-powered approach enables deployment in hazardous environments where powerline connection is unsafe or unavailable, significantly improving environmental adaptability while maintaining continuous power supply.
3Power
If an energy harvesting device is added to the flow meter, then power availability increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine or thermoelectric generator serves dual functions: it generates electrical energy to power the flow meter components and simultaneously drives the measurement mechanism. The gas flow that would otherwise just pass through now provides both measurement data and power, reducing the need for separate power generation components and minimizing the net increase in system complexity.
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 enables continuous monitoring of gas flow with reduced need for battery replacements, increased power availability for communication devices, and improved functionality in hazardous environments.
Implementation Method 1
The turbine can include a rotor with a magnet, and a stator with an electrical (or conductive) coil. The rotor is configured to rotate due to gas flow thereby generating current, on the electrical coil
Implementation Method 2
The energy harvesting device can comprise a turbine through which the gas flow passes
Implementation Method 3
a thermoelectric generator to convert heat generated from the gas flow passing through the differential pressure conduit to electrical energy
Implementation Method 4
The sensor can comprise a pressure differential sensor for sensing a pressure differential of the gas flow upstream and downstream of the orifice plate using pressure taps
Data Source
AI summary
A flow meter system and method are provided for monitoring gas flow in a conduit. The flow meter system includes a plurality of components including: a sensor for sensing a flow rate of the gas flow; a communication device for transmitting information corresponding to the sensed flow rate to a remote device; an energy harvesting device for producing electrical energy from the gas flow to power operation of the communication device or other component of the flow meter system; and an energy storage device for storing electrical energy generated by the energy harvesting device.