Tracer Injection System with RFID Identification and Automated Pump Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Manual record-keeping in tracer injection operations is prone to errors, leading to incorrect data analysis and potential operational mistakes, such as incorrect tracer species, injection rates, and timing issues.
Innovation Solution
A tracer injection system incorporating a pump with a pump rate controller, RFID tag reader, clock, and data logger, which automatically adjusts injection rates based on tracer concentration and time, using RFID tags for material identification and remote monitoring to prevent errors and ensure accurate data recording.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual record-keeping is used in tracer injection operations, then operational simplicity is maintained, but data accuracy and reliability deteriorate due to human errors in recording tracer species, injection rates, and timing
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation where the automated injection system performs data recording and tracking independently without manual intervention. The pump controller automatically logs injection parameters, the RFID reader autonomously identifies tracer containers, and the system self-monitors injection rates and timing, eliminating human error while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical record-keeping processes are replaced with electronic and automated systems. The patent substitutes human operators with automated components including pump controllers, RFID readers, data loggers, and computer-based tracking systems that electronically record and manage injection data, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing operational complexity
2Manufacturing precision
If automated pump control with RFID reading is implemented, then injection precision and timing accuracy are improved, but device complexity and initial cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback control where the pump controller continuously monitors injection rate and compares it against target parameters. The controller adjusts pump operation in real-time based on feedback from flow sensors and RFID-identified tracer characteristics, ensuring precise injection rates and timing accuracy while managing system complexity through closed-loop control
Solution Approach 2:
The pump controller serves multiple functions simultaneously: it controls injection rate, reads RFID tags for tracer identification, logs injection data, and monitors timing. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise be separate complex subsystems into a single integrated controller, improving precision while limiting the increase in overall device complexity
3Reliability
If automated data logging and remote monitoring are used, then operational reliability is enhanced, but loss of time for data processing and analysis may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary data processing and organization during the injection operation itself. Data is logged, tagged with RFID identifiers, and structured for analysis in real-time as injection occurs, rather than requiring post-operation processing. This preliminary organization of data reduces the time needed for subsequent analysis while maintaining high operational reliability
Data Source
AI summary
A tracer injection system can include a tracer solution, a pump configured to pump the tracer solution, a data transmitter associated with the tracer solution, a data receiver configured to receive tracer characteristic data from the data transmitter, and a pump controller that variably operates the pump, based at least in part on the tracer characteristic data received by the data receiver. A tracer injection method can include associating a data transmitter with a container and a tracer solution in the container, so that the data transmitter is transported with the container and the tracer solution, receiving from the data transmitter data indicative of a characteristic of the tracer solution, and pumping the tracer solution from the container at a flow rate based at least in part on the received data.