Non-Intrusive Fluid Flow Rate Assessment via Tracer Stimulus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring fluid flow rates in fluid transfer pump systems are expensive, disruptive, and require system shutdowns, making real-time, non-intrusive flow measurement challenging, especially in closed-loop thermal energy systems.
Innovation Solution
The use of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors in a cloud computing environment to detect a tracer stimulus injected into the system, allowing for real-time, non-intrusive estimation of fluid flow rates without disrupting the system, using statistical detection operations and machine learning models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If inline flow sensors are installed to measure fluid flow rates, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A tracer substance is introduced as an intermediary to enable indirect measurement of fluid flow rate. The tracer mixes with the fluid and its concentration changes are detected by sensors, providing flow rate information without requiring direct intrusive measurement of the fluid itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical inline flow sensors with a chemical/biological tracing method combined with external detection. Instead of mechanically measuring fluid velocity directly through intrusive sensors, the system uses tracer concentration changes detected by external sensors to infer flow rate.
2Measurement precision
If inline flow sensors are installed to measure fluid flow rates, then measurement precision is improved, but system disruption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tracer substance serves as a mediator that can be introduced into the flowing fluid without stopping the system. This allows continuous operation while enabling measurement through the tracer's behavior in the moving fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracer is pre-introduced into the fluid stream before measurement begins, allowing the system to continue operating. The tracer mixes with the fluid and carries measurement information through the system without requiring any preliminary system shutdown or installation disruption.
3Measurement precision
If expensive inline flow sensors are used, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tracer acts as an intermediary that can be introduced in minimal quantities into the closed-loop system. Unlike inline sensor installation that may require draining and cutting pipes, the tracer method adds negligible substance to the system while enabling measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of directly measuring the fluid's physical properties through intrusive sensors, the system creates a measurable copy or proxy by introducing the tracer. The tracer's concentration changes provide information about fluid flow without requiring direct physical interaction with the main fluid stream.
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 cost-effective, real-time fluid flow rate measurement and energy usage anomaly detection in thermal energy systems, reducing the need for expensive inline sensors and minimizing system disruptions, while providing continuous operation and predictive maintenance capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
A fluid flow rate may be cognitively determined according to a tracer stimulus, injected into the fluid transfer pump system
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments for assessing energy in a fluid transfer pump system in a cloud computing environment by a processor. A fluid flow rate may be cognitively determined according to a tracer stimulus, injected into the fluid transfer pump system, and adequately detected by one or more Internet of Things (IoT) sensors located at one or more selected positions of a piping network in the fluid transfer pump system.