Microfabricated fuel heating value monitoring device
US7708943B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 16, 2006 |
| Grant date | May 4, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 16, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/225
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A microfabricated fuel heating value monitoring device comprises a microfabricated gas chromatography column in combination with a catalytic microcalorimeter. The microcalorimeter can comprise a reference thermal conductivity sensor to provide diagnostics and surety. Using microfabrication techniques, the device can be manufactured in production quantities at a low per-unit cost. The microfabricated fuel heating value monitoring device enables continuous calorimetric determination of the heating value of natural gas with a 1 minute analysis time and 1.5 minute cycle time using air as a carrier gas. This device has applications in remote natural gas mining stations, pipeline switching and metering stations, turbine generators, and other industrial user sites. For gas pipelines, the device can improve gas quality during transfer and blending, and provide accurate financial accounting. For industrial end users, the device can provide continuous feedback of physical gas properties to improve combustion efficiency during use.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.