Vibratory Flow Meter Viscosity Measurement via Restrictive Orifice
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional viscosity measurement techniques, such as rotation viscometers, face challenges in accurately measuring fluids with a wide range of viscosities and are not suitable for applications where cleaning is frequent, like the food and chemical industries, as they restrict flow and require sample removal.
Innovation Solution
A vibratory flow meter with a restrictive orifice in one flowtube and a common driver vibrating both flowtubes, along with pickoff sensors to generate vibrational responses, allows for simultaneous measurement of mass flow rates and density, enabling viscosity determination across varying viscosity ranges without restricting flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rotation viscometer is used to measure viscosity, then viscosity measurement is achieved, but the fluid sample must be removed from the process pipeline and the device is not suitable for frequent cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (fluorescent tracer) that is mixed with the fluid sample to enable optical detection. This mediator allows the viscometer to measure viscosity through light absorption/fluorescence properties rather than direct mechanical interaction, eliminating the need for sample removal and enabling easy cleaning of the measurement cell.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotation system with an optical detection system. Instead of mechanically rotating elements to measure viscosity, the system uses fluorescent tracers and optical sensors to detect fluid properties, thereby eliminating mechanical wear and simplifying cleaning requirements.
2Measurement precision
If a rotation viscometer is used for fluids with wide viscosity range, then some viscosity measurements are accurate, but the device cannot perform well at both high and low viscosities simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic measurement system where the oscillation frequency of the measurement cell can be varied to match different viscosity ranges. The system automatically adjusts operating parameters based on the detected fluid properties, enabling accurate measurements across a wide viscosity spectrum from 10^-6 to 10^3 Pa·s.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key measurement parameters including oscillation frequency, amplitude, and tracer concentration to optimize measurements for different viscosity ranges. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system maintains measurement precision across four orders of magnitude in viscosity.
3Measurement precision
If a vibratory flow meter with restrictive orifice is used, then flow rate differentiation is achieved, but the restrictive orifice may cause pressure loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mechanical vibration of the flow tubes at specific frequencies to measure flow rate. The vibration-induced changes in fluid properties are detected by sensors, allowing flow measurement without restrictive orifices that would cause pressure loss. The system measures flow through the dynamic response of the vibrating tubes to fluid presence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces restrictive mechanical orifices with an optical detection system using fluorescent tracers. Flow rate is determined by measuring the concentration and velocity of tracer particles through optical sensors, eliminating the need for pressure-reducing orifices and associated pressure losses.
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 viscosity measurement across a wide range of fluid viscosities without restricting flow, facilitating easy cleaning and operation in diverse industrial environments.
Implementation Method 1
a common driver that is configured to substantially simultaneously vibrate the first flowtube and the second flowtube
Implementation Method 2
three pickoff sensors configured to generate a first vibrational response from the first flowtube and a second vibrational response from the second flowtube
Implementation Method 3
The restrictive orifice ensures that a first flow rate of the flow material in the first flowtube is less than a second flow rate of the flow material in the second flowtube
Implementation Method 4
Coriolis meters and vibratory densimeters operate by vibrating one or more flowtubes that are conducting a flow material
Data Source
AI summary
A vibratory flow meter (5) for determining a viscosity of a flow material is provided according to the invention. The vibratory flow meter (5) includes a meter assembly (200) configured to generate a density (p) of a flow material, generate a first mass flow rate (m1) for a first flowtube (210a), and a second mass flow rate (m2) for a second flowtube (210b). The vibratory flow meter (5) further includes a restrictive orifice (252) located in the first flowtube (210a). The restrictive orifice (252) ensures that a first flow rate of the flow material in the first flowtube (210a) is less than a second flow rate of the flow material in the second flowtube (210b).