Vibratory Flowmeter for Non-Aerated Density Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for determining the density and viscosity of bunker fuel during bunkering operations are inaccurate due to factors like temperature variations, gas entrainment, and stratification, leading to unreliable fuel quality assessments and delayed laboratory analysis.

Innovation Solution

A vibratory flowmeter system that measures volume flow, density, and viscosity in real-time, using a processing system to calculate non-aerated volume-weighted density and viscosity by distinguishing between aerated and non-aerated fluid portions, providing accurate and immediate fluid quantification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If laboratory sample analysis is used to determine fuel density and viscosity, then measurement accuracy may be improved, but response time is significantly delayed (several days)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedensity and viscosity measurement accuracyVSAvoidtime for fuel quality assessment

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical laboratory analysis system with a vibratory flowmeter system that uses vibrational principles to measure density and viscosity in real-time. The vibratory flowmeter measures the natural frequency of vibration of a flow tube, which is affected by the density and viscosity of the passing fuel, providing immediate measurements without requiring sample collection and laboratory analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables the fuel transfer operation itself to provide measurement data through the vibratory flowmeter integrated in the flow path. The fuel being transferred automatically passes through the measurement zone of the vibratory flowmeter, eliminating the need for separate sampling operations and laboratory processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If volumetric tank measurements with reference density are used, then equipment complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to temperature variations, gas entrainment, and stratification

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement system complexityVSAvoidfuel mass and quality measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the volumetric measurement system (tank level measurements combined with reference density tables) with a direct mass flow measurement system using vibratory flowmeters. This substitution eliminates the need for temperature compensation calculations, density reference tables, and corrections for stratification and gas entrainment that plague volumetric methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Quantity of substance

If single point density sampling is used, then measurement cost is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to fuel stratification in tanks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesampling cost and effortVSAvoidaverage batch density representation

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The vibratory flowmeter provides continuous measurement of density and viscosity throughout the entire fuel transfer operation. As fuel continuously passes through the flow tube, the measurement system continuously samples and records properties, providing a time-integrated average that accurately represents the entire batch without being affected by tank stratification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 offers precise and immediate measurements of fluid properties, reducing errors associated with stratification and gas entrainment, and ensuring the delivery of fuel with optimal quality for marine engines.

Implementation Method 1

Vibrating conduit sensors, such as Coriolis mass flowmeters and vibrating densitometers, typically operate by detecting motion of a vibrating conduit that contains a flowing material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

Vibrating conduit sensors, such as Coriolis mass flowmeters

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoriolis force: Coriolis Force

Data Source

PatentUS9043166B2Meter electronics and fluid quantification method for a fluid being transferred

Publication Date: 2015.05.26 MICRO MOTION INC

AI summary

Meter electronics (20) for quantifying a fluid being transferred is provided. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) configured to communicate with a flowmeter assembly of a vibratory flowmeter and receive a vibrational response and a processing system (203) coupled to the interface (201). The processing system (203) is configured to measure a volume flow and a density for a predetermined time portion of the fluid transfer, determine if the fluid transfer is non-aerated during the predetermined time portion, if the predetermined time portion is non-aerated then add a volume-density product to an accumulated volume-density product and add the volume flow to an accumulated volume flow, and determine a non-aerated volume-weighted density for the fluid transfer by dividing the accumulated volume-density product by the accumulated volume flow.