U.S. patent application number 15/431382 was filed with the patent office on 2018-08-16 for sensing system and method.
The applicant listed for this patent is General Electric Company. Invention is credited to Najeeb Kuzhiyil, Pradheepram Ottikkutti, Radislav Alexandrovich Potyrailo.
Application Number | 20180231485 15/431382 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63104557 |
Filed Date | 2018-08-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180231485 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Potyrailo; Radislav Alexandrovich ;
et al. |
August 16, 2018 |
SENSING SYSTEM AND METHOD
Abstract
A system includes an impedance gas sensor configured to be in
contact with one or more hydrocarbons. The impedance sensor
includes electrodes and a sensing region circuit that is configured
to have a sensing material and to generate electrical stimuli to
the sensing material upon exposure to one or more hydrocarbons at
one or more of a reduced heater voltage or a reduced sensing region
temperature as compared to a prescribed heater voltage or a
prescribed sensing region temperature. The system also includes one
or more processors configured to receive electrical signals from
the sensor, where the electrical signals are representative of
impedance responses of the sensing material to one or more
hydrocarbons. The one or more processors also are configured to
analyze the impedance responses and determine an amount of at least
one hydrocarbon of interest in the one or more hydrocarbons.
Inventors: |
Potyrailo; Radislav
Alexandrovich; (Niskayuna, NY) ; Ottikkutti;
Pradheepram; (Lawrence Park, PA) ; Kuzhiyil;
Najeeb; (McKinney, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
General Electric Company |
Schenectady |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
63104557 |
Appl. No.: |
15/431382 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N 27/026 20130101;
G01N 27/125 20130101; F02D 2200/0611 20130101; F02D 41/0027
20130101; Y02T 10/30 20130101; F02D 19/029 20130101; F02M 21/0212
20130101; G01N 33/0047 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G01N 27/12 20060101
G01N027/12; F02D 41/00 20060101 F02D041/00; F02D 41/26 20060101
F02D041/26 |
Claims
1. A system comprising: an impedance gas sensor configured to be in
contact with one or more hydrocarbons, the impedance sensor
including electrodes and a sensing region circuit that is
configured to have a sensing material and to generate electrical
stimuli to the sensing material upon exposure to one or more
hydrocarbons at one or more of a reduced heater voltage or a
reduced sensing region temperature as compared to a prescribed
heater voltage or a prescribed sensing region temperature; and one
or more processors configured to receive electrical signals from
the sensor, the electrical signals representative of impedance
responses of the sensing material to one or more hydrocarbons, the
one or more processors configured to analyze the impedance
responses and determine an amount of at least one hydrocarbon of
interest in the one or more hydrocarbons.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensing material is metal
oxide.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensing material is a
semiconducting material.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the impedance sensor is resonant
impedance sensor.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the impedance sensor is
non-resonant impedance sensor.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the impedance sensor is
configured to generate the electrical stimuli to the sensing
material upon exposure to one or more hydrocarbons at the reduced
temperature of less than three hundred degrees Celsius.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the impedance sensor is
configured to generate the electrical stimuli to the sensing
material upon exposure to one or more hydrocarbons at a temperature
reduced by at least approximately 20% from a nominal prescribed
temperature.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the impedance sensor is
configured to generate the electrical stimuli to the sensing
material upon exposure to one or more hydrocarbons at a temperature
different by at least approximately 20% from a nominal prescribed
temperature.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the impedance sensor is
configured to apply the electrical stimuli to the sensing material
upon exposure to one or more hydrocarbons at the reduced
temperature that is maintained at a constant temperature.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the impedance sensor is
configured to generate the electrical generate the electrical
stimuli to the sensing material upon exposure to one or more
hydrocarbons at an excitation frequency greater than 10,000
hertz.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are
configured to change a substitution rate of a first fuel for a
different, second fuel supplied to an engine based on the impedance
responses of the gas sensor.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the one or more processors are
configured to change the substitution rate by controlling a flow of
the natural gas to the engine.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are
configured to discriminate between biogenic and thermogenic
emissions of methane based on the ratio of measured methane
concentration to measured ethane concentration.
14. A method comprising: placing an impedance gas sensor in contact
with one or more hydrocarbons; applying, using a sensing region
circuit and across electrodes of the impedance sensor, electrical
stimuli to the sensing material upon exposure to one or more
hydrocarbons at a reduced heater temperature; and analyzing
electrical signals from the impedance sensor that are
representative of impedance responses of the sensor to the
electrical stimuli, the impedance responses analyzed to determine
an amount of a hydrocarbon of interest in the one or more
hydrocarbons.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the electrical stimuli are
applied to the sensing material at the reduced temperature of less
than three hundred degrees Celsius.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the electrical stimuli are
applied to the sensing material at the reduced temperature that is
maintained at a constant temperature.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein the electrical stimuli are
applied to the sensing material at an excitation frequency greater
than 10,000 hertz.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein the electrical stimuli are
applied to the sensing material upon exposure to one or more
hydrocarbons with a temperature of the sensing material that is
different by at least approximately 20% from a nominal prescribed
temperature.
19. The method of claim 14, further comprising changing a
substitution rate of a first fuel for a different, second fuel
supplied to an engine based on the impedance responses.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the substitution rate by
controlling a flow of the natural gas to the engine.
21. The method of claim 14, further comprising discriminating
between biogenic and thermogenic emissions of methane for the safe
and environmentally clean operation of gas-production facilities
based on the ratio of measured methane concentration to measured
ethane concentration.
22. A system comprising: an impedance sensor having a sensing film
configured to be in contact with a fuel flowing to a dual fuel
engine, the impedance sensor including electrodes and a sensing
region circuit that is configured to generate electrical stimuli
across the sensing film; and one or more processors configured to
receive electrical signals from the impedance sensor, the
electrical signals representative of impedance responses of the
sensing film to the electrical stimuli, the one or more processors
configured to analyze the impedance response and determine an
amount of one or more of methane or ethane in the fuel based on the
impedance responses.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein the one or more processors are
configured to control the impedance sensor to generate the
electrical stimuli at a heater voltage reduced by at least
approximately 20% from a nominal prescribed voltage.
24. The system of claim 22, wherein the one or more processors are
configured to control the impedance sensor to generate the
electrical stimuli to heat the sensing material at a temperature
reduced by at least approximately 20% from a nominal prescribed
temperature.
25. The system of claim 22, wherein the one or more processors are
configured to change the fuel flowing to the dual fuel engine from
natural gas to diesel fuel responsive to the amount of ethane in
the fuel increasing above a designated threshold.
26. The system of claim 22, wherein the impedance sensor is
resonant impedance sensor.
27. The system of claim 22, wherein the impedance sensor is
non-resonant impedance sensor.
Description
FIELD
[0001] One or more embodiments are disclosed that relate to systems
and methods for sensing hydrocarbons.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Powered systems, such as vehicles, can be powered by
consumption of hydrocarbon-based fuels. Some vehicles may consume
natural gas to generate tractive effort and other electric power
for propelling the vehicles. The propulsion systems of such
vehicles may operate more efficiently (e.g., generate or produce
more work per unit of fuel) when the natural gas supply to the
propulsion systems includes or is formed from methane as opposed to
other heavier hydrocarbons, such as ethane, butane, etc. Because
the supply of natural gas to the propulsion systems may include
impurities such as these heavier hydrocarbons, the vehicles may
operate less efficiently at times. A need exists for a sensor that
can detect the presence of one or more of these heavier
hydrocarbons.
[0003] Conventional gas sensors for hydrocarbons, however, are
non-selective devices exhibiting significant gas cross sensitivity
and thus, low gas selectivity. For example, these sensors may not
be able to differentiate between the desirable methane and less
desirable, heavier hydrocarbons. The origin of this limitation of
conventional sensors of being non-selective is in the conflicting
requirements for sensor selectivity and sensor reversibility. The
full and fast reversibility of sensor response is achieved via weak
interactions between the analyte and a sensing film of the sensor,
whereas the high selectivity of sensor response is achieved via
strong interactions between the analyte gas and the sensing
film.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0004] In one embodiment, a system includes an impedance gas sensor
configured to be in contact with one or more hydrocarbons. The
impedance sensor includes electrodes and a sensing region circuit
that is configured to have a sensing material and to generate
electrical stimuli to the sensing material upon exposure to one or
more hydrocarbons at one or more of a reduced heater voltage or a
reduced sensing region temperature as compared to a prescribed
heater voltage or a prescribed sensing region temperature. The
system also includes one or more processors configured to receive
electrical signals from the sensor, where the electrical signals
are representative of impedance responses of the sensing material
to one or more hydrocarbons. The one or more processors also are
configured to analyze the impedance responses and determine an
amount of at least one hydrocarbon of interest in the one or more
hydrocarbons.
[0005] In one embodiment, a method includes placing an impedance
gas sensor in contact with one or more hydrocarbons, applying
(using a sensing region circuit and across electrodes of the
impedance sensor) electrical stimuli to the sensing material upon
exposure to one or more hydrocarbons at a reduced heater
temperature, and analyzing electrical signals from the impedance
sensor that are representative of impedance responses of the sensor
to the electrical stimuli. The impedance responses are analyzed to
determine an amount of a hydrocarbon of interest in the one or more
hydrocarbons.
[0006] In one embodiment, a system includes an impedance sensor
having a sensing film configured to be in contact with a fuel
flowing to a dual fuel engine. The impedance sensor includes
electrodes and a sensing region circuit that is configured to
generate electrical stimuli across the sensing film. The system
also includes one or more processors configured to receive
electrical signals from the impedance sensor. The electrical
signals are representative of impedance responses of the sensing
film to the electrical stimuli. The one or more processors also are
configured to analyze the impedance response and determine an
amount of one or more of methane or ethane in the fuel based on the
impedance responses.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates responses of a sensor exposure to
different hydrocarbons using the nominal prescribed operating
conditions according to one example.
[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a sensing system.
[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a non-limiting example of a design of a
sensor shown in FIG. 2.
[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a hydrocarbon
sensor.
[0011] FIG. 5 depicts a graph of measured resonant impedance
parameters of an embodiment of the resonant sensor.
[0012] FIG. 6 illustrates a graphical illustration of measured
responses corresponding to a real and imaginary impedance responses
of the non-resonant sensor described herein in accordance with one
embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 7 illustrates impedance spectra of one or more
embodiments of the sensor described herein using a heater voltage
of at least approximately 20% less than the prescribed heater
voltage.
[0014] FIG. 8 illustrates impedance spectra of one or more
embodiments of the sensor described herein using a heater voltage
of five volts according to one example.
[0015] FIG. 9 illustrates several sets of real part of impedance
spectra of methane and ethane using heater voltages of four volts
or five volts, according to one example.
[0016] FIG. 10 illustrates several sets of imaginary part of
impedance spectra of methane and ethane using heater voltages of
four volts or five volts, according to one example.
[0017] FIG. 11 illustrates the impedance spectra for independent
quantitation of the sensor to only methane when the sensor has the
response to both methane and ethane according to one example.
[0018] FIG. 12 illustrates the impedance spectra for independent
quantitation of the sensor to only ethane when the sensor has the
response to both methane and ethane according to one example.
[0019] FIG. 13 illustrates independent quantitation of only methane
and only ethane using developed transfer functions over multiple
cycles of periodic exposures of the sensor to methane and ethane
according to some examples.
[0020] FIG. 14 illustrates one example of a control system.
[0021] FIG. 15 illustrates one or more embodiments a sensing system
for measurements of biogenic gas emissions and thermogenic gas
emissions according to one example.
[0022] FIG. 16 illustrates a flowchart of one embodiment of a
method for sensing one or more hydrocarbons of interest.
[0023] FIG. 17 illustrates a powered system according to one
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] One or more embodiments of the inventive subject matter
described herein provide for sensing systems and methods that can
sense and differentiate between different hydrocarbon-based
components in a fuel or dispersed in ambient air. These sensing
systems and methods may sense the presence and/or amount of methane
and/or other, heavier hydrocarbons in a fuel supplied to a powered
system, such as to a propulsion system (e.g., engine) of a vehicle.
Also, these sensing systems and methods may sense the presence
and/or amount of methane and/or other, heavier hydrocarbons in
ambient air when emitted from different sources such as thermogenic
or biogenic sources. The sensing systems and methods are
unexpectedly sensitive to two or more different hydrocarbons
relative to known sensing systems and methods while using only a
single sensing device or sensor. Excitation conditions of the
sensor are selected to provide selective quantitation of closely
related gases, where the excitation conditions are a single level
of operating voltage, a single level of operating temperature,
and/or a single level of operating power.
[0025] In one example, the sensor includes a metal oxide
semiconductor material used for sensing hydrocarbon gases. As
described herein, the sensing systems and methods may operate the
sensors at operating conditions that are outside of the operating
conditions prescribed for some known hydrocarbon sensors. For
example, some known hydrocarbon sensors may operate by sensing
resistance changes in a sensing material upon exposure to an
environment containing hydrocarbon (e.g., gaseous or liquid
hydrocarbon fuel) where the sensing material has a temperature that
is modulated between a low temperature such as ambient room
temperature of 20 degrees Celsius and elevated temperature of 300
degrees Celsius (or greater) and a hotter temperature, with a
voltage (e.g., for a heater current) of several volts (for example
one to five volts) applied to the heater of the sensor (to heat the
sensing material or film). These operational settings or conditions
may be prescribed by the manufacturer(s) of the sensors, and may be
referred to as prescribed settings or conditions. Other operational
settings or conditions may be prescribed by the manufacturer(s) of
the sensors where there is a single level of a prescribed
excitation setting or condition of operating voltage, a single
level of operating temperature, and/or a single level of operating
power
[0026] But, these sensors may not be able to differentiate between
different types of hydrocarbons. FIG. 1 illustrates responses 10,
12 of a conventional resistive sensor exposure to different
hydrocarbons using the operating conditions prescribed above
according to one example. The resistance responses 10, 12 are shown
alongside a horizontal axis 14 representative of time and a
vertical axis 16 representative of magnitudes of the sensor
response. For example, the vertical axis 16 may represent
resistances of the sensor. The response 10 represents the
resistances measured by the sensor for methane and the response 12
represents the resistances measured by the sensor for the heavier
ethane.
[0027] The sensor used to measure the responses 10, 12 has a metal
oxide semiconductor sensing structure. This sensor has a tin oxide
(SnO.sub.2) semiconducting material that is required (per the
manufacturer's instructions) to operate at 300 degrees Celsius to
achieve the performance described by the manufacturer. Such a
sensor gives a nonselective response to methane and other gases in
ambient air when operated at this temperature, as provided by the
voltage of a heater that should be five volts. In the performed
experiments, different methane and ethane concentrations were used.
As a non-limiting example, concentrations of methane and ethane
were 0 parts per million (ppm), 56 ppm, 112 ppm, and 169 ppm,
labeled as 0, 1, 2, and 3 in the responses 10, 12, respectively.
Other concentrations of methane and ethane can be also detected.
Under prescribed operation conditions of sensor heater voltage of
five volts, as expected, the sensor did not discriminate between
methane or ethane with measurements performed using resistance
readout. As shown in FIG. 1, aside from the responses 10, 12 being
measured at different times, the responses 10, 12 are nearly
identical. For example, the responses 10, 12 have similar shapes
with only slight differences. The small differences between the
responses 10, 12 may prevent these responses 10, 12 from being
useful for differentiating between the methane and ethane in a
fluid (e.g., fuel or ambient air) under examination.
[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a sensing system 100.
The sensing system 100 examines a fluid in contact with the sensing
system 100. This fluid may be fuel, such as a hydrocarbon-based
fuel. One example of the fluid is natural gas that is supplied to a
powered system (e.g., a vehicle, or a stationary generator set) for
consumption. Other examples of such a fluid can include gasoline,
diesel fuel, jet fuel or kerosene, bio-fuels, petrodiesel-biodiesel
fuel blends, natural gas (liquid or compressed), and fuel oils.
Another example of the fluid is ambient air. Another example of the
fluid is ambient air with relatively small concentrations of
hydrocarbons.
[0029] The system 100 may include a fluid reservoir 112 for holding
the fluid and one sensor 114 at least partially disposed in, on, or
within the fluid reservoir 112. Alternatively, the sensor 114 may
be set in a flow path of the fluid outside of the reservoir 112,
such as coupled to in-line connectors in fluid communication with
the fluid reservoir that define a flow path. In one embodiment, the
sensor 114 may provide continuous monitoring of the fluid within
the reservoir or flow path.
[0030] The sensor 114 may detect characteristics or properties of
the fluid via a resonant or non-resonant impedance spectral
response. One or more of the inductor-capacitor-resistor resonant
circuits (LCR resonators) may measure the resonant impedance
spectral response. A non-resonant impedance spectral response is
measured when the circuit does not contain an inductor. The
resonant or non-resonant impedance spectrum of the sensor 114 in
proximity to the fluid varies based on sample composition and/or
components and/or temperature. The measured resonant or
non-resonant impedance values Z' (which may be the real part of
resonant impedance, Zre) and Z'' (which may be the imaginary part
of resonant impedance, Zim) reflect the response of the sensor to
the fluid.
[0031] The electrical field may be applied to the sensing material
or film of the sensor 114 via electrodes. The distance between the
electrodes, may define the magnitude of the electric field applied
to the sensor 114 (e.g., to the sensing material or film). The
electrodes may be in direct contact with the sensing material. For
example, a sensor 114 may be a combination of a sensing region and
associated circuits. The sensing region is coated with the sensing
material. The sensing material may be semiconductor material or
metal oxide material.
[0032] Suitable sensors may include single use or multi-use
sensors. A suitable multi-use sensor may be a re-usable sensor that
may be used during the lifetime of a system in which it may be
incorporated into. In one embodiment, the sensor may be a single
use sensor that may be used during all or part of a reaction or
process.
[0033] Data from the sensor 114 may be acquired via data
acquisition circuitry 116, which may be associated with the sensor
or which may be associated with a control system, such as a
controller or workstation 122 including data processing circuitry,
where additional processing and analysis may be performed. The
controller or workstation may include one or more wireless or wired
components, and may also communicate with the other components of
the system. Suitable communication models include wireless or
wired. At least one suitable wireless model includes radio
frequency devices, such as radio frequency identification (RFID)
wireless communications. Other wireless communication modalities
may be used based on application specific parameters. For example,
where there may be electromagnetic field (EMF) interference,
certain modalities may work where others may not. The data
acquisition circuitry optionally can be disposed within the sensor
114. Other suitable locations may include disposition being within
the workstation. Further, the workstation can be replaced with a
control system of the whole process where the sensor and its data
acquisition circuitry may be connected to the control system of
process.
[0034] The data acquisition circuitry may be in the form of a
sensor reader, which may be configured to communicate wirelessly or
wired with the fluid reservoir and/or the workstation. For example,
the sensor reader may be a battery-operated device and/or may be
powered using energy available from the main control system or by
using harvesting of energy from ambient sources (light, vibration,
heat, or electromagnetic energy).
[0035] Additionally, the data acquisition circuitry may receive
data from one or more sensors 114 (e.g., multiple sensors
positioned at different locations in or around the fluid
reservoir). The data may be stored in short or long term memory
storage devices, such as archiving communication systems, which may
be located within or remote from the system and/or reconstructed
and displayed for an operator, such as at the operator workstation.
The sensors may be positioned on or in fuel or fluid reservoirs,
associated piping components, connectors, flow-through components,
and any other relevant process components. The sensors may be
positioned outdoors or indoors for monitoring of thermogenic and
biogenic emissions. The data acquisition circuitry may include one
or more processors for analyzing the data received from the sensor
114. For example, the one or more processors may be one or more
computer processors, controllers (e.g., microcontrollers), or other
logic-based devices that perform operations based on one or more
sets of instructions (e.g., software). The instructions on which
the one or more processors operate may be stored on a tangible and
non-transitory computer readable storage medium, such as a memory
device. The memory device may include a hard drive, a flash drive,
RAM, ROM, EEPROM, and/or the like. Alternatively, one or more of
the sets of instructions that direct operations of the one or more
processors may be hard-wired into the logic of the one or more
processors, such as by being hard-wired logic formed and/or stored
in the hardware of the one or more processors.
[0036] In addition to displaying the data, the operator workstation
may control the above-described operations and functions of the
system. The operator workstation may include one or more
processor-based components, such as general purpose or
application-specific computers 124. In addition to the
processor-based components, the computer may include various memory
and/or storage components including magnetic and optical mass
storage devices, internal memory, such as RAM chips. The memory
and/or storage components may be used for storing programs and
routines for performing the techniques described herein that may be
executed by the operator workstation or by associated components of
the system. Alternatively, the programs and routines may be stored
on a computer accessible storage and/or memory remote from the
operator workstation but accessible by network and/or communication
interfaces present on the computer. The computer may also comprise
various input/output (I/O) interfaces, as well as various network
or communication interfaces. The various I/O interfaces may allow
communication with user interface devices, such as a display 126,
keyboard 128, electronic mouse 130, and printer 132, that may be
used for viewing and inputting configuration information and/or for
operating the imaging system. Other devices, not shown, may be
useful for interfacing, such as touchpads, heads up displays,
microphones, and the like. The various network and communication
interfaces may allow connection to both local and wide area
intranets and storage networks as well as the Internet. The various
I/O and communication interfaces may utilize wires, lines, or
suitable wireless interfaces, as appropriate or desired.
[0037] FIG. 3 illustrates a non-limiting example of a design of the
sensor 114. A sensing electrode structure 234 of the sensor may be
connected to the data acquisition circuitry 116. The sensing
electrode structure can be coated with a sensing coating 236. The
sensing electrode structure, with the sensing coating, forms a
sensing region 238. The sensing electrode structure, with the
sensing coating that forms the sensing region, may operationally
contact a fluid. The fluid contains the analyte or
contaminant(s).
[0038] Suitable interdigital electrode structures for probing a
fluid sample include two- and four-electrode structures. Suitable
materials for electrodes include stainless steel, platinum, gold,
noble metals, and others. Suitable materials of a substrate may
include silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, alumina, ceramics, and
others. Suitable examples of sensing materials or coatings include
semiconducting materials, n-type semiconducting materials, p-type
semiconducting materials, metal oxides, nanocomposites, or the
like. Suitable electrodes may be formed using metal etching,
screen-printing, ink-jet-printing, and mask-based metal deposition
techniques. The thickness of fabricated electrodes on the
substrates may be in the range from about 10 nanometers to about
1000 micrometers. The materials for the interdigital electrode
structures, substrate, sensing layer, and electrode formation
methods may be selected based at least in part on the application
specific parameters.
[0039] In one embodiment, the system may measure a impedance (f)
(represented by Eq. (1)) of exposure of the sensing material or
film of the sensor to a fluid sample while the sensing material or
film is excited with electric stimuli and heated:
(f)=Z.sub.re(f)+jZ.sub.im(f) Eq. (1)
where Z.sub.re(f) may be the real part of the impedance and
Z.sub.im(f) may be an imaginary part of the impedance. In one
embodiment, the real part of the impedance Z.sub.re(f) and
imaginary part of the impedance Z.sub.im(f) may be two components
of a non-resonant impedance (f). In one embodiment, the real part
of the impedance Z.sub.re(f) and imaginary part of the impedance
Z.sub.im(f) may be two components of a resonant impedance (f). In
one embodiment, the resonant impedance spectral response of the
sensor may be a multivariable resonant response as more than one
frequency may be utilized to measure sensor response across the
resonance of the sensor. In some embodiments, the resonant
impedance response of the sensor may be a multivariable resonant
response because more than one frequency may be utilized to measure
sensor response outside the resonance peak of the sensor. In some
embodiments, the sensor response may be measured at multiple
frequencies across the resonance of the sensor. For example, if the
sensor with the electrodes coated with the sensing film resonates
at about 10 MHz, the measured frequencies and associated sensor
responses may be measured from about 8 MHz to about 12 MHz. This
multivariable resonant response may be analyzed by multivariate
analysis. The multivariable response of the sensing film of the
sensor includes the sensor's full resonant impedance spectral
response and/or several individually measured parameters, such as
but not limited to F.sub.p, Z.sub.p, F.sub.z, F.sub.1, F.sub.2,
Z.sub.1, and Z.sub.2. As used herein, the term "resonant impedance
spectral response" may be referred to as "impedance response,"
"multivariable resonant response," "resonant impedance spectra,"
and/or variations thereof.
[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a hydrocarbon sensor
900. The sensor 900 may represent another version of the sensors or
sensing systems described herein. The sensor 900 includes a
substrate 902, such as a dielectric material. One or several
heating elements 904, such as high resistance bodies, are coupled
to one side of the substrate 902. The heating elements 904 receive
electric current from a heater controller 906, which represents
hardware circuitry that conducts the heater current or voltage to
the heating elements 904 to heat the substrate 902 and to heat a
sensing material or film 908 that is coupled to the other side of
the substrate 902 and to electrodes 910 and 912. The sensing
material 908 can include one or more materials deposited onto the
substrate 902 to perform a function of predictably and reproducibly
affecting the impedance sensor response upon interaction with the
environment. For example, a metal oxide such as SnO2 may be
deposited as the sensing material 908. Sensing electrodes 910, 912
are coupled with or disposed in the sensing material 908 and are
connected with the substrate 902 in the illustrated embodiment. The
sensing electrodes 910, 912 are conductive bodies that are
conductively coupled with one or more processors 914 ("Impedance
analyzer" in FIG. 8) that include one or more microprocessors,
field programmable gate arrays, and/or integrated circuits. The
processors 914 examine the impedance response of the sensing
material 908 in order to determine the presence and/or amount of
one or more hydrocarbons in the environment to which the sensing
material 908 is exposed, as described herein.
[0041] FIG. 5 depicts a graph of measured resonant impedance
parameters of an embodiment of the sensor, in accordance with
embodiments of the present technique. The properties include the
frequency of the maximum of the real part of the resonant impedance
(F.sub.p, resonance peak position), magnitude of the real part of
the resonant impedance (Z.sub.p, peak height), zero-reactance
frequency (F.sub.z, frequency at which the imaginary portion of
resonant impedance may be zero), resonant frequency of the
imaginary part of the resonant impedance (F.sub.1), and
anti-resonant frequency of the imaginary part of the resonant
impedance (F.sub.2), signal magnitude (Z.sub.1) at the resonant
frequency of the imaginary part of the resonant impedance
(F.sub.1), and signal magnitude (Z.sub.2) at the anti-resonant
frequency of the imaginary part of the resonant impedance
(F.sub.2). Other parameters may be measured using the entire
resonant impedance spectra, for example, quality factor of
resonance, phase angle, and magnitude of resonant impedance.
[0042] In contrast to operation of some known sensors, one or more
embodiments of the inventive subject matter described herein are
used to measure impedance responses of fluids, such as a
hydrocarbon-based fuel, but at or under different operating
conditions than what is currently used. The different operating
conditions unexpectedly provide the sensing system with the ability
to generate data used to differentiate between closely related
gases using a single sensor. When a metal oxide semiconductor
material is used in the sensor for gas sensing, and the sensor is
operated under slightly relaxed operation conditions than
prescribed (e.g., by the manufacturer of the sensor), the
semiconductor material gives the ability for the sensor to
quantitate different hydrocarbons.
[0043] For example, one or more of the sensors described herein may
be operated by applying a heater voltage of less than the
prescribed five volts. This results in a smaller electric field
generated through the fluidic sample between the electrodes of the
sensor and/or the area between the electrodes being at a lower
temperature (e.g., relative to the greater heater voltage and
temperature prescribed by many manufacturers of similar sensors).
In one embodiment, the heater voltage is no more than four volts.
This reduced heater voltage normally would be expected to result in
a reduced response of the sensor to the constituents in the fluid
sample. The sensor is then used to acquire impedance spectra of the
response of the sensor to the fluid sample, as described above.
[0044] FIG. 6 illustrates a graphical illustration of measured
responses 800 corresponding to a real and imaginary impedance
responses 802, 804 of the sensors described herein in accordance
with one embodiment. For example, the impedance response 800 can
represent the impedance sensor response of the sensor 114, 900
configured as a non-resonant sensor based on a stimulation waveform
generated by the circuitry 116. The impedance responses 800 are
measured by the circuitry 116 based on a measurement signal. For
example, the circuitry 116 may receive the measurement signal from
the electrodes 910, 912 in contact with the sensing material 908.
The measurement signal is an electrical signal generated by the
sensing material 908 in response to the stimulation waveform and
the ambient environment to which the sensing material 908 is
exposed. The measurement signal is representative of the impedance
response of the sensing material 908. For example, the measurement
signal may have electrical characteristics (e.g., voltage, current,
frequency, and/or the like), which may be utilized by the circuitry
114 to calculate the impedance responses 800. The impedance
responses 800 are divided into real portions 802 corresponding to
the real impedance, Zre(f) of the impedance responses 800, and
imaginary portions 804 of an imaginary impedance, Zim(f).
[0045] FIG. 7 illustrates impedance spectra of one or more
embodiments of the sensors described herein using a heater voltage
of at least approximately 20% less than the prescribed heater
voltage. For example, the heater voltage may be four volts. FIG. 7
illustrates impedance spectra of one or more embodiments of the
sensors described herein using a greater heater voltage of five
volts according to one example. The impedance spectra of FIGS. 7
and 8 are shown alongside horizontal axes representative of
different frequencies at which the fluid sample was probed by the
sensor. The impedance spectra also are shown alongside vertical
axes representative of different components of the resonant
impedance of the fluid sample. For example, the vertical axes can
indicate the real (Z) and imaginary (Z') parts of the resonant
impedance of the sensor in the fluid. The real parts of the
resonant impedance spectra are located above the zero value along
the vertical axes and the imaginary parts of the resonant impedance
spectra are located below the zero value along the vertical
axes.
[0046] The impedance spectra shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 include the
impedance spectra of a fluid (e.g., natural gas) having no
measurable amount (e.g., in ppm) of methane or ethane ("Blank" in
FIGS. 7 and 8), the impedance spectra of a fluid (e.g., natural
gas) having 56 ppm of methane ("CH4-1" in FIGS. 7 and 8), the
impedance spectra of a fluid (e.g., natural gas) having 112 ppm of
methane ("CH4-2" in FIGS. 7 and 8), the impedance spectra of a
fluid (e.g., natural gas) having 169 ppm of methane ("CH4-3" in
FIGS. 7 and 8), the impedance spectra of a fluid (e.g., natural
gas) having 56 ppm of ethane ("C2H6-1" in FIGS. 7 and 8), the
impedance spectra of a fluid (e.g., natural gas) having 112 ppm of
ethane ("C2H6-2" in FIGS. 7 and 8), and the impedance spectra of a
fluid (e.g., natural gas) having 169 ppm of ethane ("C2H6-3" in
FIGS. 7 and 8).
[0047] As shown by a comparison of the impedance spectra shown in
FIGS. 7 and 8, using a heater voltage in the sensor of four volts
instead of five volts increases the differences between the
impedance spectra for methane and ethane for all concentrations
that were examined. In FIG. 8, the real parts of the impedance
spectra for 56 ppm of methane and ethane are very close to each
other over the entire range of examined frequencies, as are the
imaginary parts of these impedance spectra. Additionally, the real
parts of the impedance spectra for 112 ppm of methane and ethane
overlap each other (e.g., are coextensive) over the entire range of
examined frequencies, as do the imaginary parts of these impedance
spectra. The same is true for the real parts and the imaginary
parts of the impedance spectra for 169 ppm of methane and ethane.
Consequently, use of the prescribed heater current of five volts
may not be useful in differentiating between methane and ethane in
a fluid such as natural gas.
[0048] In contrast, the impedance spectra shown in FIG. 7 clearly
differentiate between methane and ethane. For example, the real
parts of the impedance spectra for 56 ppm of methane and ethane are
separated by a large difference 1000 (relative to the difference
between the real parts of the impedance spectra for 56 ppm of
methane and ethane using a heater voltage of five volts). The real
parts of the impedance spectra for 112 ppm of methane and ethane
are separated by a large difference 1002 (relative to the
difference between the real parts of the impedance spectra for 112
ppm of methane and ethane using a heater voltage of five volts).
Additionally, the real parts of the impedance spectra for 169 ppm
of methane and ethane are separated by a large difference 1004
(relative to the difference between the real parts of the impedance
spectra for 169 ppm of methane and ethane using a heater voltage of
five volts).
[0049] The imaginary parts of the impedance spectra of methane and
ethane using a heater voltage of four volts also are differentiated
from each other by larger amounts relative to using the larger
heater voltage. As shown in FIG. 7, the imaginary parts of the
impedance spectra for methane and ethane do not overlap for the
different concentrations over the entire range or substantially all
of the entire range of frequencies, in contrast to the imaginary
parts of the impedance spectra measured using a heater voltage of
five volts.
[0050] Changing the heater voltage of the sensor is, however, not
without risk. Operating the sensor at too low of a heater voltage
can result in the sensor not responding to (and therefore not
generating an output signal indicative of) the fluid (e.g., gas) of
interest. Conversely, operating the sensor at too great of a heater
voltage can significantly decrease the useful life of the sensor,
as well as prevent or inhibit the sensor from detecting certain
fluids of interest (e.g., differentiating between methane and
ethane). One or more of the inventors have discovered that reducing
the heater voltage from the prescribed, recommended, or
industry-accepted value of five volts to four volts results in the
sensor unexpectedly producing impedance spectra that allow for
relatively easy differentiation between at least methane and
ethane.
[0051] Optionally, the frequency at which the sensor is excited may
be changed (in addition to or as an alternate to reducing the
heater voltage) to determine the presence and/or concentration of
one or more hydrocarbons in the fluid under examination.
[0052] FIG. 9 illustrates several sets 1200, 1202, 1204, 1206 of
real parts of impedance spectra of methane and ethane using heater
voltages of four volts or five volts, according to one example.
Each set 1200, 1202, 1204, 1206 includes the real part of the
impedance spectra for methane and ethane for four volts (left side
of each set 1200, 1202, 1204, 1206 in FIG. 9) and five volts (right
side of each set 1200, 1202, 1204, 1206 in FIG. 9).
[0053] FIG. 10 illustrates several sets 1300, 1302, 1304, 1306 of
imaginary parts of impedance spectra of methane and ethane using
heater voltages of four volts or five volts, according to one
example. Each set 1300, 1302, 1304, 1306 includes the real part of
the impedance spectra for methane and ethane for four volts (left
side of each set 1300, 1302, 1304, 1306 in FIG. 10) and five volts
(right side of each set 1300, 1302, 1304, 1306 in FIG. 10).
[0054] Each set of impedance spectra in FIG. 9 and in FIG. 10 was
obtained at a different frequency of the RC circuit of the sensor.
The sets 1200, 1300 were obtained at a frequency of approximately
10,427 Hz, the sets 1202, 1302 were obtained at a frequency of
100,000 Hz, the sets 1204, 1304 were obtained at a frequency of
approximately 1,087,335 Hz, and the sets 1206, 1306 were obtained
at a frequency of approximately 10,427,538 Hz.
[0055] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the responses of the sensor to
methane and ethane at a heater voltage of four volts and
frequencies of approximately 10,427 Hz and 100,000 Hz are highly
nonlinear. Conversely, the responses of the sensor to methane and
ethane at the same heater voltage of four volts and frequencies of
approximately 1,087,335 Hz and 10,427,538 Hz are more linear
(relative to the other frequencies).
[0056] The results shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 demonstrate that
operating the sensor at the reduced heater voltage of four volts
and at the higher frequencies (in the frequency range of 1 million
to 10 million Hertz) results in differences between the impedance
spectra for methane and ethane being greater. For example, the
impedance spectra for methane at these operating conditions is
significantly different from the impedance spectra for ethane at
these same operating conditions.
[0057] When a conventional resistance sensor is sequentially
exposed to closely related hydrocarbons, for example methane and
ethane, it cannot discriminate methane and ethane and cannot
separately quantify methane and ethane, as shown in FIG. 1. In
contrast, FIG. 11 illustrates independent quantitation of only
methane by the impedance sensor when the sensor is sequentially
exposed to methane and ethane according to one example. FIG. 12
illustrates independent quantitation of only ethane by the
impedance sensor when the sensor is sequentially exposed to methane
and ethane according to one example. Such discrimination between
closely related hydrocarbons and their independent quantitation was
achieved when excitation heater conditions of the sensor were
selected to be .about.20% below the nominal prescribed value and
were at a single level of operating voltage and at a single level
of operating temperature. The dynamic profiles of the calibrated
sensor response shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 were obtained using a DFSS
Process Tool of a Six Sigma Toolbox of General Electric Company.
For this quantitation of methane or ethane, responses of a single
impedance sensor operating at a heater voltage of four volts and
several frequencies were entered into the DFSS Process Tool along
with known concentrations of methane and ethane that were 0 parts
per million (ppm), 56 ppm, 112 ppm, and 169 ppm, labeled as 0, 1,
2, and 3 in the responses in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12. The DFSS Process
Tool computed transfer functions that selectivity predicted the
individual concentrations of methane (during exposure of the sensor
to sequentially methane and ethane) and the individual
concentrations of ethane (during exposure of the sensor to
sequentially methane and ethane).
[0058] As shown in FIG. 11, the predicted concentrations of methane
by the impedance sensor ("Predicted" in FIG. 11) are not
significantly affected by the strong raw sensor response to both
ethane and methane (where examples of raw sensor response are
depicted in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10). The sensor can accurately predict
methane concentrations using a developed transfer function for
methane, as indicated by the close and many similarities between
the predicted concentrations of methane and actual methane
concentrations delivered to the impedance sensor ("Actual" in FIG.
11).
[0059] As shown in FIG. 12, the predicted concentrations of ethane
by the impedance sensor ("Predicted" in FIG. 12) are not
significantly affected by the strong raw sensor response to both
ethane and methane (where examples of raw sensor response are
depicted in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10). The sensor can accurately predict
ethane concentrations, using a developed transfer function for
ethane, as indicated by the close and many similarities between the
predicted concentrations of ethane and actual ethane concentrations
delivered to the impedance sensor ("Actual" in FIG. 12).
[0060] The data shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 indicate that the sensor
can accurately predict concentrations of methane when the sensor is
sequentially exposed to methane and ethane, yet also can accurately
predict concentrations of ethane when the sensor is sequentially
exposed to methane and ethane.
[0061] FIG. 13 illustrates independent prediction of concentrations
of only methane and only ethane using developed transfer functions
over multiple cycles of periodic exposures of the sensor to methane
and ethane according to some examples. The sensing material of the
sensor can be exposed to only methane, only ethane, or a
combination of methane, ethane, and optionally one or more
additional hydrocarbons or other compounds, yet still be able to
accurately measure amounts of methane, ethane, or other
hydrocarbons. For example, with respect to the portions of the data
shown in FIG. 13 that represent amounts of methane, the sensor may
be exposed to ethane or methane, yet only output data on predicted
type of gas and its concentration indicative of the amounts of
methane. As another example, with respect to the portions of the
data shown in FIG. 13 that represent amounts of ethane, the sensor
may be exposed to ethane or methane, yet only output data on
predicted type of gas and its concentration indicative of the
amounts of ethane.
[0062] In one embodiment of the inventive subject matter described
herein, it has been found that traditional resistance readout of
metal oxide sensors under prescribed operation conditions (cell (a)
in the Table below) does not provide selectivity of detection of
methane and ethane. It was also found that impedance readout of
metal oxide sensors under prescribed operation conditions (cell (b)
in the Table below) also does not provide selectivity of detection
of methane and ethane. Further, it was found that traditional
resistance readout of metal oxide sensors under non-prescribed
operation conditions (cell (c) in the Table below) does not provide
selectivity of detection of methane and ethane. In contrast,
selectivity of detection of methane and ethane was obtained only by
using impedance measurements when performed under non-prescribed
operation conditions for the sensor (cell (d) in the Table below).
As a result, only a certain non-obvious combination of data
acquisition conditions and relaxed operation conditions provided
such as unexpected result of a significant importance.
TABLE-US-00001 Operation Measurement Selectivity of detection Cells
conditions mode of methane vs ethane (a) Prescribed Conventional
resistance No (b) Prescribed Impedance No (c) Non-prescribed
Conventional resistance No (d) Non-prescribed Impedance Yes
[0063] One or more embodiments of the sensors and sensor systems
described herein can be used in a variety of control systems that
monitor and optionally control operation of other powered systems.
FIG. 14 illustrates one example of such an engine control system
1600. The control system 1600 optionally can be referred to as an
engine control unit, or ECU. The control system 1600 includes
hardware circuitry that includes and/or is connected with one or
more processors (e.g., microprocessors, field programmable gate
arrays, integrated circuits, etc.) that control flow of two or more
different fuels to an engine 1604 of a powered system, such as a
vehicle, a power generator, or the like.
[0064] The engine 1604 is a dual fuel reciprocating internal
combustion compression-ignition (RIC-CI) engine. The engine 1604
operates by the combination of conventional diesel fuel and natural
gas, such as a mixture of CH4, C2H6, and small traces of other
heavier hydrocarbons, and uses diesel fuel as the source of
ignition. The engine 1604 can be designed to run on 100% diesel
(DSL) fuel at any time during operation and natural gas (NGS)
substitutes for the diesel fuel. This can result in various
substitution rates of NGS:DSL. Some such substitution rates can
range from 50% to 99%. If another engine (e.g., a conventional
diesel engine designed for diesel-only operation) is converted or
modified to operate on dual fuel, uncontrolled combustion or
knocking can limit the substitution rate. The physics of combustion
is the primary limiting factor on the substitution rate. The
quality of the NGS supplied to the engine is a secondary limiting
factor. NGS comprised of pure CH4 defines an upper limit or maximum
(e.g., combustion-physics dictated) substitution rate. If the NGS
includes heavier hydrocarbons such as ethane (C2H6), the level or
percentage or ppm of C2H6 in CH4 will determine the practical
knock-free substitution rate for the engine. Physics-based modeling
along with engine tests can be used to determine the substitution
rate as a function of CH4 content in the NGS. Based on the engine
modeling and tests, the map of CH4 content versus engine speed and
load, and NGS is loaded/stored in the engine controller.
[0065] The control system 1600 can communicate with one or more
embodiments of the sensing systems or sensors 1602 ("Sensing
System" in FIG. 14) to determine the amount of CH4 content in the
NGS and/or to modify operation of the engine 1604 based on the
amount of CH4 content in the NGS.
[0066] The CH4 content in the NGS can be dependent on a source 1606
of the gas, which can be piped gas from utility providers, oil
well, gas well, etc. Optionally, the source 1606 may be a tank
holding compressed and/or liquefied natural gas as fuel for the
engine 1604. The sensing system 1602 includes one or more
hydrocarbon sensors (as described above), which provides CH4
content information (e.g., measurements of the amount of CH4) to
the control system 1600, thereby enabling the control system to
define or limit the amount of NGS supplied to the engine 1604 based
on one or more engine operating conditions (speed, load, etc.)
using or by reading from a pre-set NGS calibration that is loaded
on to the control system 1600.
[0067] In another embodiment, the hydrocarbon sensor 1600 is
applied or used in conjunction with a knock sensor 1608. The knock
sensor 1608 provides data indicative of knocking or an absence of
knocking by the engine 1604 to the control system 1600. In the
event of incipient or an earliest indication of engine operation
under knocking conditions, the amount of gas supplied (via a
substitution rate of NGS) can be significantly cut-back or reduced
by the control system 1600 or, in an extreme case, the control
system 1600 can stop the flow of NGS (resulting in 100% diesel only
operation of the engine 1604). This can eliminate or reduce the
amount of knocking within the engine 1604.
[0068] As another example, the sensing system is used to
discriminate between different types of emissions of one or more
gases such as biogenic gas emissions and thermogenic gas emissions.
For example, the sensing system is disposed at one or more
locations (e.g., near a gas-production well) and measures gas
emissions present near the gas well. The gas well may be positioned
in a remote location near a wetland or any other source of decaying
vegetation or near a livestock farm as depicted in FIG. 15.
[0069] FIG. 15 illustrates one or more embodiments a sensing system
1500 for measurements of biogenic gas emissions and thermogenic gas
emissions according to one example. The sensing system 1500
includes sensors 1502 disposed around or near sources of biogenic
gas emissions and/or thermogenic gas emissions, such as gas
production wells 1504, storage tanks 1506 for storage of the gas
from the wells 1504, livestock 1508, etc. The sensors 1502 may
represent one or more embodiments of the sensors described
herein.
[0070] The sensor system 1500 is positioned for measurements of
biogenic gas emissions and thermogenic gas emissions. Thus, the
deployed sensing system may detect both, biogenic gas emissions and
thermogenic gas emissions. Biogenic gas emissions are created by
methanogenic organisms in wetlands, rain forests, landfills, and
other sources of decaying vegetation as well as in the
gastrointestinal systems of ruminant livestock (including cows,
buffalo, goats, sheep, bison, and others). Thermogenic gas
emissions are created from buried organic materials such as fossil
fuels that are naturally produced at greater temperature and
pressure as compared to biogenic gas. The ratio of concentrations
of methane to ethane in thermogenic emissions is much less than the
ratio of concentrations of methane to ethane in biogenic emissions.
Thus, the ratio of concentrations of methane to ethane measured by
the sensing system indicates whether the detected emission is from
a biogenic source or from a thermogenic source. For example, a
larger measured ratio of concentrations of methane to ethane is an
indication of a biogenic emission.
[0071] Yet another embodiment of the sensing system is that the
sensing system can be used to detect accumulation of vaporized fuel
(e.g., in the form of unburned hydrocarbons) in an enclosure such
as engine cab of a locomotive or engine room of a marine vessel or
indoor fuel storage area. Detecting these conditions and providing
a warning and/or fuel supply shut-off could be used in a system to
prevent thermal incidents or fires. For example, the control system
automatically closes one or more valves in response to the sensing
system measuring at least a designated amount or concentration of a
flammable hydrocarbon. This can increase safety within the area or
enclosure in which the sensing system is deployed.
[0072] FIG. 16 illustrates a flowchart of one embodiment of a
method 1700 for sensing one or more hydrocarbons of interest. The
method 1700 is performed by one or more embodiments of the sensing
systems or sensors described herein in one embodiment. At 1702, an
amount or concentration of one or more hydrocarbons of interest is
measured. The hydrocarbon or hydrocarbons of interest include
hydrocarbons having lower weight (e.g., molecular weight) than one
or more other hydrocarbons in one embodiment. For example, a
hydrocarbon of interest may be methane while a hydrocarbon other
than the hydrocarbon of interest may be ethane in a fuel, such as
natural gas. The amount and/or concentration of the hydrocarbon(s)
of interest are measured by one or more embodiments of the sensing
systems or sensors described herein at operational condition(s)
that are different than known, prescribed conditions. For example,
the sensor can operate at a reduced heater voltage of four volts
(instead of five volts or greater) and/or can heat the sensing film
exposed to the sample being examined (e.g., the natural gas) to a
lower temperature of less than 300 degrees Celsius. The amount
and/or concentration of the hydrocarbon(s) of interest are
determined from one or more impedance spectra, as described
above.
[0073] At 1704, a determination is made as to whether the measured
concentration and/or amount of the hydrocarbon(s) of interest
differs from one or more designated thresholds. For example, if the
measured amount of methane in natural gas is lower than a
designated threshold, then the flow of the natural gas to an engine
may need to be interrupted or stopped to avoid reducing operational
efficiency of the engine. As another example, if the measured
amount of ethane in natural gas is greater than a designated
threshold, then the flow of the natural gas to the engine may need
to be interrupted or stopped to avoid uncontrolled/undesired rate
of combustion or knock, and protect the engine from reduced
operational efficiency and damage to critical engine components and
sub-systems.
[0074] As another example, if the amount of one or more gases in
the oil of a transformer exceeds a designated threshold, then the
transformer may be deactivated (e.g., by stopping the conduction of
current to the transformer). As another example, if the amount of
methane sensed near a well exceeds a designated threshold, then the
methane may indicate a thermogenic emission of the methane from the
well. As another example, if the amount of vaporized fuel exceeds a
designated threshold, then the amount of the fuel can indicate that
there is a dangerous amount of vaporized fuel in the area.
[0075] If the amount and/or concentration of the hydrocarbon of
interest differs from a designated threshold (e.g., exceeds a
larger, upper designated threshold or falls below a smaller, lower
designated threshold), then flow of the method 1700 can proceed
toward 1706. Otherwise, flow of the method 1700 may return toward
1702 to continue measuring the amount and/or concentration of the
hydrocarbon(s) of interest, or may terminate.
[0076] At 1706, one or more responsive actions are implemented. For
example, if the measured amount of methane in natural gas is lower
than a designated threshold, then the flow of the natural gas to an
engine is automatically terminated and/or the flow of another fuel
(e.g., diesel fuel) to the engine is automatically commenced. As
another example, if the amount of one or more gases in the oil of a
transformer exceeds a designated threshold, then the transformer is
automatically deactivated. As another example, if the amount of
methane sensed near a well exceeds a designated threshold, then the
well or a pump associated with the well is automatically
deactivated. As another example, if the amount of vaporized fuel
exceeds a designated threshold, then the flow of fuel is
automatically terminated and/or a warning is issued to warn one or
more persons near the vaporized fuel to leave the area.
[0077] In one embodiment, the sensor can operate at an increased
heater voltage as compared to the nominal prescribed operating
heater voltage and/or can heat the sensing film exposed to the
sample being examined to a higher temperature as compared to the
nominal prescribed operating temperature. Such increased heater
voltage and/or temperature of the sensing film can be selected to
be .about.20% above the nominal prescribed values. In one
embodiment, the sensor can operate at a heater voltage that is
different as compared to the nominal prescribed operating heater
voltage and/or can heat the sensing film exposed to the sample
being examined to a temperature that is different as compared to
the nominal prescribed operating temperature. These differences may
be the increased or decreased voltage of the heater and/or the
increased or decreased temperature of the sensing film. Such
different heater voltage and/or temperature of the sensing film can
be selected to be .about.20% different from the nominal prescribed
values. In another embodiment, such different heater voltage and/or
temperature of the sensing film can be selected to be in the range
from .about.10% to .about.80% different from the nominal prescribed
values. In one embodiment, the voltage of the heater is maintained
at a constant voltage and the temperature of the sensing film is
maintained at a constant temperature. In another embodiment, the
voltage of the heater is maintained at a variable voltage and the
temperature of the sensing film is maintained at a variable
temperature.
[0078] FIG. 17 illustrates a powered system 1800 according to one
embodiment. The powered system 1800 is a ground-based vehicle in
FIG. 17, but optionally may be another type of powered system or
vehicle, such as a marine vessel, an engine room, etc. The powered
system 1800 includes an engine (not shown in FIG. 17) and a
hydrocarbon sensor 1804 that measures the presence and/or amount of
one or more hydrocarbons within an enclosed space or volume 1802 of
the powered system 1800. In one embodiment, the enclosed space or
volume 1802 is an operator cab of a vehicle, an engine room, an
indoor storage space for fuel, etc. The sensor 1804 can represent
one or more of the sensors or sensing systems described herein.
[0079] The sensor 1804 operates to sense the presence and/or amount
of one or more hydrocarbons in the enclosed space or volume 1802 of
the powered system 1800, such as methane, ethane, or the like. The
detected presence of the hydrocarbon(s) and/or measured amounts of
the hydrocarbon(s) that exceed one or more designated limits can
indicate an unsafe or increasingly unsafe situation, such as a
situation where the hydrocarbon(s) in the enclosed space or volume
1802 may be in danger of combusting. A sensing system onboard the
powered system 1800 can include the sensor 1804 and a controller
1806, where the sensor 1804 communicates the detected presence
and/or amount of the hydrocarbon(s) to the controller 1806. The
controller 1806 represents hardware circuitry that includes and/or
is connected with one or more processors (e.g., one or more
microprocessors, field programmable gate arrays, and/or integrated
circuits) that receive output from the sensor 1804 that indicates
the presence and/or amount of the hydrocarbon(s) in the space or
volume 1802. In response to receiving this output (e.g., the
presence of the hydrocarbon(s) and/or a measured amount of the
hydrocarbon(s) that exceeds a designated upper limit), the
controller 1806 generates a control signal that is communicated to
an output device 1808, such as a display device, speaker, or the
like. The control signal directs the output device 1808 to visually
and/or audibly present a warning to one or more persons located in
the enclosed space or volume 1802. This can allow for the persons
to exit the space or volume 1802 before the hydrocarbon(s)
combust.
[0080] In one embodiment, a system includes an impedance gas sensor
configured to be in contact with one or more hydrocarbons. The
impedance sensor includes electrodes and a sensing region circuit
that is configured to have a sensing material and to generate
electrical stimuli to the sensing material upon exposure to one or
more hydrocarbons at one or more of a reduced heater voltage or a
reduced sensing region temperature as compared to a prescribed
heater voltage or a prescribed sensing region temperature. The
system also includes one or more processors configured to receive
electrical signals from the sensor, where the electrical signals
are representative of impedance responses of the sensing material
to one or more hydrocarbons. The one or more processors also are
configured to analyze the impedance responses and determine an
amount of at least one hydrocarbon of interest in the one or more
hydrocarbons.
[0081] In one example, the sensing material is metal oxide.
[0082] In one example, the sensing material is a semiconducting
material.
[0083] In one example, the impedance sensor is resonant impedance
sensor.
[0084] In one example, the impedance sensor is non-resonant
impedance sensor.
[0085] In one example, the impedance sensor is configured to
generate the electrical stimuli to the sensing material upon
exposure to one or more hydrocarbons at the reduced temperature of
less than three hundred degrees Celsius.
[0086] In one example, the impedance sensor is configured to
generate the electrical stimuli to the sensing material upon
exposure to one or more hydrocarbons at a temperature reduced by at
least approximately 20% from a nominal prescribed temperature.
[0087] In one example, the impedance sensor is configured to
generate the electrical stimuli to the sensing material upon
exposure to one or more hydrocarbons at a temperature different by
at least approximately 20% from a nominal prescribed
temperature.
[0088] In one example, the impedance sensor is configured to apply
the electrical stimuli to the sensing material upon exposure to one
or more hydrocarbons at the reduced temperature that is maintained
at a constant temperature.
[0089] In one example, the impedance sensor is configured to
generate the electrical generate the electrical stimuli to the
sensing material upon exposure to one or more hydrocarbons at an
excitation frequency greater than 10,000 hertz.
[0090] In one example, the one or more processors are configured to
change a substitution rate of a first fuel for a different, second
fuel supplied to an engine based on the impedance responses of the
gas sensor.
[0091] In one example, the one or more processors are configured to
change the substitution rate by controlling a flow of the natural
gas to the engine.
[0092] In one example, the one or more processors are configured to
discriminate between biogenic and thermogenic emissions of methane
based on the ratio of measured methane concentration to measured
ethane concentration.
[0093] In one embodiment, a method includes placing an impedance
gas sensor in contact with one or more hydrocarbons, applying
(using a sensing region circuit and across electrodes of the
impedance sensor) electrical stimuli to the sensing material upon
exposure to one or more hydrocarbons at a reduced heater
temperature, and analyzing electrical signals from the impedance
sensor that are representative of impedance responses of the sensor
to the electrical stimuli. The impedance responses are analyzed to
determine an amount of a hydrocarbon of interest in the one or more
hydrocarbons.
[0094] In one example, the electrical stimuli are applied to the
sensing material at the reduced temperature of less than three
hundred degrees Celsius.
[0095] In one example, the electrical stimuli are applied to the
sensing material at the reduced temperature that is maintained at a
constant temperature.
[0096] In one example, the electrical stimuli are applied to the
sensing material at an excitation frequency greater than 10,000
hertz.
[0097] In one example, the electrical stimuli are applied to the
sensing material upon exposure to one or more hydrocarbons with a
temperature of the sensing material that is different by at least
approximately 20% from a nominal prescribed temperature.
[0098] In one example, the method also includes changing a
substitution rate of a first fuel for a different, second fuel
supplied to an engine based on the impedance responses.
[0099] In one example, the substitution rate by controlling a flow
of the natural gas to the engine.
[0100] In one example, the method also includes discriminating
between biogenic and thermogenic emissions of methane for the safe
and environmentally clean operation of gas-production facilities
based on the ratio of measured methane concentration to measured
ethane concentration.
[0101] In one embodiment, a system includes an impedance sensor
having a sensing film configured to be in contact with a fuel
flowing to a dual fuel engine. The impedance sensor includes
electrodes and a sensing region circuit that is configured to
generate electrical stimuli across the sensing film. The system
also includes one or more processors configured to receive
electrical signals from the impedance sensor. The electrical
signals are representative of impedance responses of the sensing
film to the electrical stimuli. The one or more processors also are
configured to analyze the impedance response and determine an
amount of one or more of methane or ethane in the fuel based on the
impedance responses.
[0102] In one example, the one or more processors are configured to
control the impedance sensor to generate the electrical stimuli at
a heater voltage reduced by at least approximately 20% from a
nominal prescribed voltage.
[0103] In one example, the one or more processors are configured to
control the impedance sensor to generate the electrical stimuli to
heat the sensing material at a temperature reduced by at least
approximately 20% from a nominal prescribed temperature.
[0104] In one example, the one or more processors are configured to
change the fuel flowing to the dual fuel engine from natural gas to
diesel fuel responsive to the amount of ethane in the fuel
increasing above a designated threshold.
[0105] In one example, the impedance sensor is resonant impedance
sensor.
[0106] In one example, the impedance sensor is non-resonant
impedance sensor.
[0107] As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular
and proceeded with the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not
excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion
is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment"
of the presently described inventive subject matter are not
intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional
embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover,
unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments "comprising,"
"including," or "having" (or like terms) an element, which has a
particular property or a plurality of elements with a particular
property, may include additional such elements that do not have the
particular property.
[0108] As used herein, terms such as "system" or "controller" may
include hardware and/or software that operate(s) to perform one or
more functions. For example, a system or controller may include a
computer processor or other logic-based device that performs
operations based on instructions stored on a tangible and
non-transitory computer readable storage medium, such as a computer
memory. Alternatively, a system or controller may include a
hard-wired device that performs operations based on hard-wired
logic of the device. The systems and controllers shown in the
figures may represent the hardware that operates based on software
or hardwired instructions, the software that directs hardware to
perform the operations, or a combination thereof.
[0109] As used herein, terms such as "operably connected,"
"operatively connected," "operably coupled," "operatively coupled"
and the like indicate that two or more components are connected in
a manner that enables or allows at least one of the components to
carry out a designated function. For example, when two or more
components are operably connected, one or more connections
(electrical and/or wireless connections) may exist that allow the
components to communicate with each other, that allow one component
to control another component, that allow each component to control
the other component, and/or that enable at least one of the
components to operate in a designated manner.
[0110] It is to be understood that the subject matter described
herein is not limited in its application to the details of
construction and the arrangement of elements set forth in the
description herein or illustrated in the drawings hereof. The
subject matter described herein is capable of other embodiments and
of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also,
it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used
herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded
as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and
variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed
thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.
[0111] It is to be understood that the above description is
intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the
above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in
combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be
made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings
of the presently described subject matter without departing from
its scope. While the dimensions, types of materials and coatings
described herein are intended to define the parameters of the
disclosed subject matter, they are by no means limiting and are
exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to
one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above
description. The scope of the inventive subject matter should,
therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims,
along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are
entitled. In the appended claims, the terms "including" and "in
which" are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective
terms "comprising" and "wherein." Moreover, in the following
claims, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc. are used
merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical
requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the
following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and
are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the
phrase "means for" followed by a statement of function void of
further structure.
[0112] This written description uses examples to disclose several
embodiments of the inventive subject matter, and also to enable one
of ordinary skill in the art to practice the embodiments of
inventive subject matter, including making and using any devices or
systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable
scope of the inventive subject matter is defined by the claims, and
may include other examples that occur to one of ordinary skill in
the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of
the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from
the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent
structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal
languages of the claims.
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