Pipe Surface Temperature Inference for Precipitate Thickness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies struggle to accurately estimate the thickness of precipitates, such as hydrate, wax, or scale, inside pipelines due to inaccuracies in measuring fluid temperatures inside and outside the pipe, leading to suboptimal utilization of removal techniques.

Innovation Solution

An estimation device that acquires pipe surface temperatures at precipitate and reference positions, calculates in-pipe fluid temperature, and estimates precipitate thickness using a database of temperature distributions and thermal resistances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If fluid temperatures inside and outside the pipe are measured directly, then precipitate thickness estimation can be performed, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to inability to access internal fluid

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecipitate thickness estimation accuracyVSAvoidfluid temperature measurement difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses pipe outer surface temperature as an intermediary measurement to infer the internal fluid temperature. Temperature sensors are placed on the outer surface of the pipe to measure temperature distribution, which then serves as a mediator to calculate the internal fluid temperature and subsequently estimate precipitate thickness, avoiding direct contact with the internal fluid while maintaining measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct thermal measurement (inserting sensors into the fluid) with indirect thermal field measurement (measuring outer surface temperature distribution). This substitution uses heat conduction principles to translate external temperature measurements into internal fluid temperature information, eliminating the need for mechanical intrusion into the pipe

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If fluid temperatures are obtained from experience or flow simulator analysis, then estimation can proceed, but temperature accuracy deteriorates due to deviations from actual values

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveestimation capabilityVSAvoidfluid temperature accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism by continuously monitoring the outer surface temperature distribution and using this real-time data to calculate and update the internal fluid temperature. This feedback loop ensures that the temperature values used for precipitate thickness estimation reflect actual operating conditions rather than relying on static experience data or simulator predictions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the pipe's own thermal characteristics and its natural heat conduction behavior to provide the temperature information needed for estimation. By measuring the temperature distribution on the pipe's outer surface, the system enables itself to calculate internal fluid temperature without requiring external temperature measurement devices or reliance on pre-established temperature data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of time

If past measurement results are used to estimate temperatures, then initial estimations can be made, but accuracy deteriorates over time due to changing temperature conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveestimation response timeVSAvoidtemperature estimation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from static, historical temperature data to dynamic, real-time temperature measurement. By continuously monitoring the outer surface temperature distribution and recalculating internal fluid temperature based on current conditions, the system adapts to changing temperature environments, ensuring that precipitate thickness estimations remain accurate despite temporal variations in operating conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 accurate estimation of precipitate thickness without directly measuring fluid temperatures, improving the effectiveness of removal strategies.

Implementation Method 1

calculates an in-pipe fluid temperature that is a temperature of the fluid at the precipitate generation position based on the second pipe surface temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS12460927B2Estimation device, estimation method, and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium for thickness of precipitate

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

An estimation device includes a controller that: acquires a first pipe surface temperature and a second pipe surface temperature, wherein the first pipe surface temperature is an outer surface temperature of a pipe at a precipitate generation position at which a precipitate is adhered to an inner surface of the pipe through which a fluid flows, and the second pipe surface temperature is the outer surface temperature of the pipe at a reference position different from the precipitate generation position; calculates an in-pipe fluid temperature that is a temperature of the fluid at the precipitate generation position based on the second pipe surface temperature; and estimates a thickness of the precipitate based on the in-pipe fluid temperature and the first pipe surface temperature.