METHOD FOR OPERATING A CORIOLIS MEASUREMENT DEVICE

Abstract

A method for operating a Coriolis measurement device comprises the following steps: recording the measured voltages of sensors for sensing measuring tube vibrations and creating an asymmetric sequence of values by way of the amplitudes of the measured voltages for the purpose of diagnosing the Coriolis measurement device, recording at least one stabilization variable and creating a stabilized asymmetric sequence of values based on the stabilization variable, wherein the stabilization variable is one of the following variables or a first or further temporal derivative thereof: a resonant frequency of the measuring tube containing medium or a variable derived therefrom, time or phase difference between measurement signals from the first sensor and the second sensor or a variable derived therefrom, temperature of the measuring tube wall, temperature difference between two measurement points of the measuring tube wall.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. A method for operating a Coriolis measurement device for measuring a density or a mass flow of a medium flowing through a pipeline, wherein the Coriolis measurement device comprises: at least one measuring tube for guiding the medium, each having an inlet and an outlet and a measuring tube wall enclosing a measuring tube lumen; at least one exciter for generating measuring tube vibrations, and a first sensor on the inlet side and a second sensor on the outlet side for sensing measuring tube vibrations, wherein the exciter and the sensors each have a coil device with at least one coil and a magnetic device with at least one magnet; wherein the coil device and the magnetic device of each sensor are moved relative to one another by measuring tube vibrations, during which an electrical measured voltage is induced in the coil; and an electronic measuring/operating circuit for operating the exciter, for sensing and evaluating the electrical measured voltages and for outputting measured values of density or mass flow and diagnostic information; wherein the method has the following steps: recording the measured voltages from the sensors and creating an asymmetric sequence of values using the amplitudes of the measured voltages for the purpose of diagnosing the Coriolis measurement device; recording a measurement signal of at least one stabilization variable; creating a stabilized asymmetric sequence of values based on the asymmetric sequence of values as a function of the stabilization variable; wherein the stabilization variable is based on one of the following variables or a first or second temporal derivative thereof: a resonant frequency of the measuring tube containing medium or a variable derived therefrom; time or phase difference between measurement signals from the first sensor and the second sensor or a variable derived therefrom; temperature of the measuring tube wall; or temperature difference between two measurement points of the measuring tube wall.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein a scatter value of the measured values of a stabilization variable is determined, wherein the asymmetric sequence of values is stabilized using the scatter value.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, when a first limit value is exceeded by the scatter value; a last valid measured value of the asymmetric sequence of values is used as the current value of the asymmetric sequence of values; or the asymmetric sequence of values is set to a predetermined value.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the first limit value is derived from scatter values or a mean value of measured values of the stabilization variable; or wherein the first limit value is a configurable parameter.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the mean value is a moving mean value with a first time window, and wherein the scatter value is a moving scatter value with a second time window.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the first time window has a duration of at least 0.2 seconds, or wherein the first time window has a duration of at most 90 seconds.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the second time window has a duration of at least 2 seconds, or wherein the second time window has a duration of at most 150 seconds.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein, if the time or phase difference or a variable derived therefrom falls below a second limit value and the asymmetry exceeds a third limit value, a last valid measured value of the asymmetric sequence of values is used as the current value of the asymmetric sequence of values, or the asymmetric sequence of values is set to a predetermined value.

21. The method according to claim 14, wherein the scatter value is determined by one of the following procedures: summing distances between adjacent measured values, summing distances of the measured values from a mean value of measured values of the stabilization variable.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein a distance measure A has the following relationship: A=|p1−p2{circumflex over ( )}n, where n>0, and p1 is a measured value and p2 is a measured value or a mean value.

23. The method according to claim 13, wherein a warning is output if an amount of the stabilized asymmetric sequence of values exceeds a fourth limit value.

24. The method according to claim 13, wherein the Coriolis measurement device comprises at least one temperature sensor.

Description

[0040] The invention will now be described with reference to exemplary embodiments.

[0041] FIG. 1 describes an exemplary Coriolis measurement device;

[0042] FIG. 2 shows exemplary curves of measurement signals;

[0043] FIG. 3 illustrates the sequence of a method according to the invention;

[0044] FIG. 4 illustrates the curve of a stabilized asymmetric sequence of values.

[0045] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary Coriolis measurement device 1 for measuring a mass flow or a density of a medium flowing through a pipeline, comprising two measuring tubes 10, each having an inlet 10.1 and an outlet 10.2, wherein a measuring tube wall 10.4 encloses a measuring tube lumen 10.3. The measuring tubes are excited to vibrate by an exciter 11; a first sensor 12.1 on the inlet side and a second sensor 12.2 on the outlet side sense the measuring tube vibrations and generate measurement signals, which are evaluated by an electronic measuring/operating circuit 77 arranged in a housing 80. The measuring tubes are held by a supporting element. As shown here, the sensor and the exciter can each have a coil device 13 with a coil 13.1 and a magnetic device 14 with a magnet 14.1, wherein the coil device and the magnetic device experience relative movements as a result of measuring tube vibrations. As a result of the relative movement, electrical voltages are induced in the coil, and electrical currents are thus caused, which are processed by the electronic measuring/operating circuit. The measurement signal can be the electrical voltage or the electrical current. Since inaccuracies in production and manufacturing exist also in Coriolis measurement devices, different sensors are not exactly the same, and therefore they produce slightly different measurement signals under the same conditions, which manifests, for example, in different amplitudes of measurement signals. This asymmetry between the sensors can be used as a further measurement variable in order to be able to detect, for example, an operating state or a wear state of the Coriolis measurement device. As indicated here, Coriolis measurement devices can also have at least one temperature sensor 16, which sense the temperature of the measuring tube wall.

[0046] Coriolis measurement devices can also have only one measuring tube or more than two measuring tubes. A person skilled in the art will then adapt the exciter and the sensors accordingly. Thus, it is not necessary for the coil device and the magnetic device to each be arranged on one measuring tube, but they can, for example, also be fastened to the supporting element via a holding device. Coriolis measurement devices can also have more than one exciter and/or more than two sensors.

[0047] FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary curves of measurement signals relating to mass flow, density, asymmetry of the sensors and a temperature of the measuring tube wall. The scaling of the axes is given in arbitrary units and purely by way of example. In the case of homogeneous medium, the curve of measured density and measured flow is usually less variable. In the case of a medium having different immiscible or poorly miscible fractions and/or fractions with different states of matter, short-term signal fluctuations which start and stop suddenly can occur, as shown in the exemplary measurement signal curves. These are due to the fact that local fluctuations in the medium composition in the region of the sensors influence the measuring tubes in the region of the sensors in different ways. During such phases, the asymmetric sequence of values AS cannot be used.

[0048] FIG. 3 describes the sequence of an exemplary method according to the invention for stabilizing the asymmetric sequence of values.

[0049] In a first method step 101, an asymmetric sequence of values AS is created from the measurement signals from the sensors 12.1 and 12.2, wherein, for example, amplitudes of the measurement signals from the sensors are used.

[0050] In a second method step 102, a measurement signal of at least one stabilization variable is recorded, which measurement signal is used to determine a validity of the asymmetric sequence of values.

[0051] In a third method step 103, the asymmetric sequence of values is stabilized by means of the stabilization variable, and an asymmetric sequence of values SAS is formed.

[0052] The first method step and the second method step can also be carried out in the reverse order or else simultaneously. The order of the method steps is limited only by causality. The stabilization variable is one of the following variables or a first or further temporal derivative thereof:

[0053] a resonant frequency of the measuring tube containing medium or a variable derived therefrom, such as density of the medium,

[0054] time or phase difference between measurement signals from the first sensor and the second sensor or a variable derived therefrom, such as mass flow,

[0055] temperature of the measuring tube wall,

[0056] temperature difference between two measurement points of the measuring tube wall.

[0057] For example, a scattering of the measurement signal of the stabilization variable is determined, and when a first limit value is exceeded by the scatter value, a last valid measured value of the asymmetric sequence of values is used as the current value of the asymmetry measured value, or the asymmetric sequence of values is set to a predetermined value. In this way, the asymmetric sequence of values can be prepared such that, for example, it can be interpreted and processed by the electronic measuring/operating circuit in a meaningful manner. Typical values for a predetermined value are, for example, NaN (not a number), 0, or a value outside a typical value range of the asymmetric sequence of values, such as 1000. This is what stabilizing the asymmetric sequence of values means. The first limit value can be derived from scatter values of the measured values of the stabilization variable and/or from a mean value of measured values of the stabilization variable. When the first limit value is derived, the mean value M can be a moving mean value with a first time window Z1, and the scatter value S can be a moving scatter value with a second time window Z2, which time windows are applied to the associated measurement signal. For example, a relative or absolute minimum deviation from the mean value can be defined as a first limit value. A sum of distances between adjacent measured values within the time window Z2 can be formed in order to calculate the scattering. A sum of distances of measured values from the mean value within the time window Z2 can also be formed in order to calculate the scattering, wherein the mean value is formed from measured values within a time window Z1.

[0058] For example, the first time window Z1 has a duration of at least 0.2 seconds and in particular at least 0.5 seconds and preferably at least 1 second, and/or wherein the first time window has a duration of at most 90 seconds and in particular at most 70 seconds and preferably at most 60 seconds. For example, the second time window Z2 has a duration of at least 2 seconds and in particular at least 4 seconds and preferably at least 5 seconds, and/or wherein the second time window has a duration of at most 150 seconds and in particular at most 130 seconds and preferably at most 120 seconds. It is not ruled out that the first time window and the second time window are identical.

[0059] The following relationship can be used as the distance measure A: A=|p1−p2{circumflex over ( )}n, where n>0, and p1 is a measured value and p2 is a measured value or a mean value.

[0060] Another reason for invalid measured values of the asymmetric sequence of values can be only partial filling of the at least one measuring tube of the Coriolis measurement device. In this case, the amplitudes of the measurement signals from the sensors can deviate greatly from one another. An only partial filling can take place, for example, if the at least one measuring tube is oriented vertically, when a liquid level of the measuring tube falls to a level between the first sensor and the second sensor due to lack of flow. This can be detected by checking the time or phase difference or a variable derived therefrom and the asymmetric sequence of values.

[0061] If the time or phase difference or a variable derived therefrom falls below a second limit value, and the asymmetry exceeds a third limit value, then a partial filling is detected, and a last valid measured value of the asymmetric sequence of values is used as the current value of the asymmetric sequence of values, or the asymmetric sequence of values is set to a predetermined value.

[0062] FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary curves of measurement signals relating to mass flow, density, asymmetry of the sensors and a temperature of the measuring tube wall, wherein the asymmetric sequence of values is now a stabilized asymmetric sequence of values SAS. By way of example, a time window Z1 (solid lines) and a time window Z2 (dashed lines) are illustrated in the curve of the measured values of the density of a medium, which are applied to the measurement signal of the density at a point in time and are carried along at a current point in time. As a result of the procedure described further above, invalid measured values of the asymmetric sequence of values can be detected and marked or corrected.

[0063] In general, a waming can be output if an amount of the stabilized asymmetric sequence of values SAS exceeds a fourth limit value G4. In this case, a deterioration of a measurement system state can be present, which can result in repair or replacement of the Coriolis measurement device. The fourth limit value can be, for example, an asymmetry of at least 0.1% and in particular at least 1% and preferably at least 5%.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0064] 1 Coriolis measurement device [0065] 10 Measuring tube [0066] 10.1 Inlet [0067] 10.2 Outlet [0068] 10.3 Measuring tube lumen [0069] 10.4 Measuring tube wall [0070] 11 Exciter [0071] 12.1 First sensor [0072] 12.2 Second sensor [0073] 13 Coil device [0074] 13.1 Coil [0075] 14 Magnetic device [0076] 14.1 Magnet [0077] 16 Temperature sensor [0078] 60 Supporting element [0079] 77 Electronic measuring/operating circuit [0080] 80 Housing [0081] 100 Method [0082] 101 Method step [0083] 102 Method step [0084] 103 Method step [0085] AS Asymmetric sequence of values [0086] SAS Stabilized asymmetric sequence of values [0087] Z1 First time window [0088] Z2 Second time window