Measuring heating value using catalytic combustion
US5759862A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 24, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jun 2, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 24, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/225
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The heating value of a sample gas is calculated by a microcontroller from the heating value of a reference gas, and from flow ratios determined as the gas is consumed by catalytic combustion. The combustible gas is mixed with a combustion supporting gas, such as air, and flowed to a catalytic apparatus. In one embodiment, a molar flow meter is connected in the supply line for the combustible gas to measure the molar flow rate of a reference gas and a sample gas. Molar flow rates of the reference gas and the sample gas are determined at maximum temperature of combustion of the gas. In a preferred embodiment, a valve chamber is charged with a gas to a predetermined pressure and then discharged. During the discharge cycle, the apparatus senses the maximum temperature of combustion which corresponds to the point of optimum fuel-to-air ratio for catalytic combustion. Based on flow rates and the optimum fuel-to-air ratio, heating value of the sample gas is calculated by a microcomputer and output to a visual display or other output device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.