SBIR Phase I: Measurement and Control of Mass and Velocity Rates in Bulk Solids Distribution Systems

SBIR 第一阶段：散装固体分配系统中质量和速度的测量和控制

• 批准号: 1345473
• 负责人: John Stencel
• 金额: $ 15万
• 依托单位: Tribo Flow Separations, LLC
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2014
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2014-01-01 至 2014-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1345473&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: SBIR; Phase; Measurement; Control; Mass

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project demonstrates the feasibility of using a new, non-invasive vibroacoustic method that simultaneously measures solids and air flow rates within highly-branched pneumatic conveyance piping. The method determines characteristic vibrations of the piping that is directly related to solids and gas flow, and acoustic emission, within the piping; it is measured via the attachment of accelerometers onto the outside of the piping. Currently, no inexpensive, non-invasive and wireless system is commercially available that can be used to measure and then control solids and gas flow rates in highly-branched piping typical of industrial settings. In all cases, this situation leads to inefficiencies in materials use and distribution, wasted energy, non-optimized process operation and higher operating costs. The research objectives focus on determining vibroacoustic intensities and associated frequencies between 50-10,000 Hz that will define method sensitivity and repeatability, its potential as a self-standardizing and stand-alone approach, and the technical requirements for creating a commercial process control instrument. Because the vibroacoustic measurements will be accomplished at an industrial site where significant equipment and process noise is typical, the anticipated technical results will create a solid foundation and enhance method credibility for subsequent demonstration.The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is in wireless process control instrumentation (PCI) that enhances process efficiencies, and in the scientific understanding of non-invasive measurements of solids and gas flows within highly-branched pneumatic conveyance systems. By controlling solids conveyance in these systems, materials usage efficiencies are increased, and product qualities and process performances are raised. As an example, successfully implementing a vibroacoustic PCI at the industrial site at which the vibroacoustic data are to be acquired could decrease its materials usage by up to 40% with a concomitant cost savings of $640,000/yr. Within US industries mandated to install emission equipment, the cost reductions offered by the vibroacoustic method are $384 million per year, and commercial sales of the PCI could reach $155 million. The cost savings and business created would beneficially impact society through decreased energy consumption for manufacturing, transporting and using solid reagents; decreased electrical generation costs; improved environmental performance; decreased emissions of greenhouse gases; and, decreased consumer costs. Furthermore, increased efficiencies in the control of bulk solids delivery using pneumatic conveyance is needed for commodities and high-value products produced by industry that are either consumed or used by, and impact, every person in the US.

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目展示了使用一种新的非侵入性声学方法的可行性，该方法可以同时测量高度分支气力输送管道内的固体和空气流量。该方法确定与管道内的固体和气体流动直接相关的管道的特征振动，以及管道内的声发射；通过在管道外部安装加速度计来测量该特征振动。目前，商业上还没有廉价、非侵入式的无线系统可用于测量和控制工业环境中典型的高分支管道中的固体和气体流量。在所有情况下，这种情况都会导致材料使用和分配效率低下、能源浪费、工艺操作不优化和运营成本上升。研究目标集中于确定50-10,000赫兹之间的振动声强度和相关频率，这将定义方法的灵敏度和重复性，其作为一种自我标准化和独立方法的潜力，以及创建商业过程控制仪器的技术要求。由于振动声测量将在典型的重要设备和过程噪声的工业现场完成，预期的技术成果将为后续演示奠定坚实的基础并增强方法的可信度。该项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力在于可提高过程效率的无线过程控制仪器(PCI)，以及对高度分支气力输送系统内固体和气体流动的非侵入性测量的科学理解。通过控制这些系统中的固体输送，提高了材料的利用效率，提高了产品质量和工艺性能。例如，在要获取振动声数据的工业现场成功实施振动声PCI可以将材料使用量减少高达40%，同时每年可节省640,000美元的成本。在美国被要求安装发射设备的行业中，振动声方法每年可降低3.84亿美元的成本，而PCI的商业销售额可能达到1.55亿美元。通过减少制造、运输和使用固体试剂的能源消耗、降低发电成本、改善环境绩效、减少温室气体排放以及降低消费者成本，节省的成本和创造的业务将对社会产生有利影响。此外，对于工业生产的大宗商品和高价值产品，需要提高使用气动运输控制散装固体运输的效率，这些大宗商品和高价值产品要么被美国每个人消费或使用，要么影响到每个人。