ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION SYSTEM AND GAS MEASURING SYSTEM

Abstract

A gas measuring system includes a measuring element being in contact with a gas and a heating element producing heat, a measuring unit measuring a value for an electric signal from the temperature measuring element and a value for an electric signal from the heating element. The system also includes an equation storage device storing an equation including independent variables that represent electric signals from the temperature measuring element and the heating element, and a dependent variable that represents the sum of the products of the respective numbers of atoms forming the molecules in the gas, the atomic weights, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules. The system further includes a calculator calculating a value that represents the sum of the products of the respective numbers of the atoms, the atomic weights, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to Japanese patent application No. 2011-200370 filed on Sep. 14, 2011, the entire content of which being hereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an electric power generating system and a gas measuring system, relating to a gas inspecting technology.

RELATED ART

In recent years, fuel cells have attracted attention as household power sources due to their low rate of consumption of primary energy, such as kerosene or natural gas, and their low rate of exhaust of carbon dioxide (CO₂). (See, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication H10-284104 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication 2002-315224). There are various types of fuel cells, where solid-state polymeric fuel cells generate electricity through providing an oxidizing agent to a positive electrode and a reducing agent (the fuel) to a negative electrode, with an ion exchange membrane interposed therebetween. Hydrogen, obtained through reformation of utility gas, is used as the fuel.

As described above, the solid-state polymeric fuel cell generates electricity through a chemical reaction of the hydrogen, provided as the fuel, with oxygen. Because of this, there is the need for a technology able to measure accurately the amount of hydrogen provided to the fuel cell. Moreover, there is the need for a technology able to measure accurately the quantity of atoms that structure molecules included in a gas in a variety of fields, not limited to fuel cells. Given this, one object of the present disclosure is to provide an electric power generating system and gas measuring system able to evaluate the number of atoms that structure molecules included in a gas.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure discloses an electric power generating system includes (a) a temperature measuring element being in contact with a gas, (b) a heating element being in contact with the gas and producing heat at a plurality of heat producing temperatures, (c) a measuring unit measuring a value for an electric signal from a temperature measuring element that is dependent on the temperature the gas, and a value for an electric signal from a heating element at each of a plurality of heat producing temperatures, (d) an equation storage device storing a first equation that includes independent variables that represent electric signals from the temperature measuring element and electric signals from the heating element at the plurality of heat producing temperatures and a dependent variable that represents the sum of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, (e) a calculator calculating a value that represents the sum of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, by substituting, into the independent variables in the first equation, values for the electric signals from the measuring element and values for the electric signals from the heating element, (f) a fuel cell being supplied with hydrogen extracted from the gas; and (g) a controlling device controlling the amount of hydrogen provided to the fuel cell, based on the value indicated by the calculated product.

The present disclosure discloses a gas measuring system including (a) a temperature measuring element being in contact with a gas, (b) a heating element being in contact with the gas and producing heat at a plurality of heat producing temperatures, (c) a measuring unit measuring a value for an electric signal from a temperature measuring element that is dependent on the temperature the gas, and a value for an electric signal from a heating element at each of a plurality of heat producing temperatures, (d) an equation storage device storing an equation that includes independent variables that represent electric signals from the temperature measuring element and electric signals from the heating element at the plurality of heat producing temperatures and a dependent variable that represents the sum of the products of the respective numbers of atoms that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weights of the atoms, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, and (e) a calculator calculating a value that represents the sum of the products of the respective numbers of atoms that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weights of the atoms, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, by substituting, into the independent variables in the equation, values for the electric signals from the measuring element and values for the electric signals from the heating element.

The present disclosure discloses a gas measuring system including (a) a measuring unit measuring a measured value of a gas radiation coefficient or a thermal conductivity, (b) a storage device storing a correlation between the gas radiation coefficient or a thermal conductivity, and the sum of the products of the respective numbers of atoms that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weights of the atoms, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, and (c) a calculator calculating a value representing the sum of the products of the respective numbers of atoms that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weights of the atoms, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules based on a measured value of a gas radiation coefficient or a thermal conductivity and the correlation.

The electric power generating system and gas measuring system in the present disclosure may evaluate the number of atoms that form molecules included in a gas.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a microchip as set forth in an example according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional diagram, viewed from the direction of the section II-II in FIG. 1, of the microchip illustrated in FIG. 1, as set forth in the example according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a second perspective view of a microchip as set forth in the example according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional diagram, viewed from the direction of the section IV-IV of the microchip illustrated in FIG. 3, as set forth in the example according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram relating to a heating element according to the example according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram relating to a temperature measuring element according to the example according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating the relationship between the temperature of the heating element and the radiation coefficient of the gas in the example according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a first schematic diagram of a gas measuring system as set forth in the example according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a second schematic diagram of a gas measuring system as set forth in the example according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for generating an equation as set forth in the example according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for measuring a gas as set forth in the example according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing the errors from the true values of measured values relating to another example according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing the errors from the true values of measured values relating to yet another example according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a graph showing the errors from the true values of measured values relating to yet a further example according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of an electric power generating system as set forth in yet another further example according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a graph illustrating the relationship between the gas thermal conductivity and heat loss coefficient in yet still another further example according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples of the present disclosure are described below. In the descriptions of the drawings below, identical or similar components are indicated by identical or similar codes. Note that the diagrams are schematic. Consequently, specific measurements should be evaluated in light of the descriptions below. Furthermore, even within these drawings there may, of course, be portions having differing dimensional relationships and proportions.

Example

First, a microchip 8 that is used in a gas measuring system as set forth in an example is described in reference to FIG. 1, which is a perspective diagram, and FIG. 2, which is a cross-sectional diagram that is viewed from the direction of the section II-II. The microchip 8 comprises a substrate 60, which is provided with a cavity 66, and a insulating layer 65, which is disposed so as to cover the cavity 66 on the substrate 60. The thickness of the substrate 60 is, for example, 0.5 mm. The length and width dimensions of the substrate 60 are, for example, 1.5 mm each. The portion of the insulating layer 65 that covers the cavity 66 forms a thermally insulating diaphragm. The microchip 8 further comprises a heating element 61 that is provided on a portion of the diaphragm of the insulating layer 65, a first temperature measuring element 62 and a second temperature measuring element 63 provided in a portion of the diaphragm of the insulating layer 65 so that the heating element 61 is interposed therebetween, and a temperature maintaining element 64 that is provided on the substrate 60.

A plurality of holes is provided in the diaphragm. The provision of the plurality of holes in the diaphragm expedites the exchange of gases within the cavity 66. Conversely, the insulating layer 65, as illustrated in FIG. 3 and in FIG. 4, which is a cross-sectional diagram when viewed in the direction of the section IV-IV, may be disposed on the substrate 60 so as to cover the cavity 66 in the form of a bridge. This also exposes the inside of the cavity 66, expediting the exchange of gases within the cavity 66.

The heating element 61 is disposed in the center of the portion of the diaphragm of the insulating layer 65 that covers the cavity 66. The heating element 61 is, for example, a resistor, and produces heat through the supply of electric power thereto, to heat the ambient gas that contacts the heating element 61. The first temperature measuring element 62 and the second temperature measuring element 63 are electrical elements that are, for example, passive elements such as resistors, and output electric signals that are dependent on the gas temperatures of the surrounding gases. An example of use of the output signal of the first temperature measuring element 62 is explained below, but there is no limitation thereto, but rather, for example, an average value of the output signal from the first temperature measuring element 62 and the output signal of the second temperature measuring element 63 may be used as the output signal of the temperature measuring elements.

The temperature maintaining element 64 is, for example, a resistor, to which electricity is applied to produce heat, to maintain the substrate 60 at a constant temperature. Silicon (Si), or the like, may be used as the material for the substrate 60. Silicon dioxide (SiO₂), or the like, may be used as the material for the insulating layer 65. The cavity 66 may be formed through anisotropic etching, or the like. Furthermore, platinum (Pt) or the like may be used as the material for the first temperature measuring element 62, the second temperature measuring element 63, and the temperature maintaining element 64, and they may be formed through a lithographic method, or the like. Moreover, the heating element 61, the first temperature measuring element 62, and the second temperature measuring element 63 may be formed from the same member.

The microchip 8 is secured to a pipe, or the like, in which flows the ambient gas, through, for example, a thermally insulating member that is disposed on the bottom face of the microchip 8. Securing the microchip 8 through a thermally insulating member 18 within a pipe makes the temperature of the microchip 8 less susceptible to temperature variations of the inner wall of the pipe. The thermal conductivity of the insulating member 18, made from glass, or the like, is, for example, no more than 1.0 W/(m·K).

As illustrated in FIG. 5, one end of the heating element 61 is connected electrically to a −input terminal of an operational amplifier 170, for example, with the other end grounded. A resistive element 161 is connected, in parallel, to the −input terminal and the output terminal of the operational amplifier 170. The +input terminal of the operational amplifier 170 is connected electrically between a resistive element 162 and a resistive element 163, which are connected in series, between the resistive element 163 and a resistive element 164, which are connected in series, between the resistive element 164 and a resistive element 165, which are connected in series, or between the resistive element 165 and a ground terminal. The appropriate selection of the resistance values for each of the resistive elements 162 through 165 produces a voltage V_L3 of, for example, 2.4 V between the resistive element 163 and 162 when a voltage Vin of, for example, 5.0 V is applied to one end of the resistive element 162. Additionally, a voltage V_L2 of, for example, 1.9 V is produced between the resistive element 164 and the resistive element 163, and a voltage V_L1 of, for example, 1.4 V is produced between the resistive element 165 and the resistive element 164.

A switch SW1 is connected between the +input terminal of the operational amplifier 170 and a node between the resistive element 162 and the resistive element 163, and a switch SW2 is connected between the +input terminal of the operational amplifier 170 and a node between the resistive element 163 and the resistive element 164. Furthermore, a switch SW3 is provided between the +input terminal of the operational amplifier 170 and a node between the resistive element 164 and the resistive element 165, and a switch SW4 is provided between the +input terminal of the operational amplifier 170 and a node between the resistive element 165 and a ground terminal.

When applying the voltage V_L3 of 2.4 V to the +input terminal of the operational amplifier 170, only switch SW1 is turned ON, and switches SW2, SW3, and SW4 are turned OFF. When applying the voltage V_L2 of 1.9 V to the +input terminal of the operational amplifier 170, only switch SW2 is turned ON, and switches SW1, SW3, and SW4 are turned OFF. When applying the voltage V_L1 of 1.4 V to the +input terminal of the operational amplifier 170, only switch SW3 is turned ON, and switches SW1, SW2, and SW4 are turned OFF. When applying the voltage V_L0 of 0 V to the +input terminal of the operational amplifier 170, only switch SW4 is turned ON, and switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 are turned OFF. Consequently, 0 V or any of three levels of voltages can be applied to the +input terminal of the operational amplifier 170 through turning the switches SW1, SW2, SW3, and SW4 ON and OFF. Because of this, the applied voltages, which determine the heat producing temperature of the heating element 61, can be set to three different levels through opening and closing the switches SW1, SW2, SW3, and SW4.

Here, the temperature of the heating element 61 when the 1.4 V voltage V_L1 is applied to the +input terminal of the operational amp defined as T_H1. Additionally, the temperature of the heating element 61 when the 1.9 V voltage V_L2 is applied to the input terminal of the operational amplifier 170 is defined as T_H2, and the temperature of the heating element 61 when the 2.4 V voltage V_L3 is applied to the +input terminal of the operational amplifier 170 is defined as T_H3.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, one end of the first temperature measuring element 62 is connected electrically to a −input terminal of an operational amplifier 270, for example, with the other end grounded. A resistive element 261 is connected, in parallel, to the −input terminal and the output terminal of the operational amplifier 270. The +input terminal of the operational amplifier 270 is connected electrically to between a resistive element 264 and a resistive element 265 that are connected in series. This causes a weak voltage of about 0.3 V to be applied to the first temperature measuring element 62.

The resistance value of the heating element 61 illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 varies depending on the temperature of the heating element 61. The relationship between the temperature T_H of the heating element 61 and the resistance value R_H of the heating element 61 is given through Equation (1), below:

R _H =R _{H — STD}×[1+α_H(T_H−T_H—STD)+β_H(T_H−T_H—STD)²]  (1)

Here T_H—STD indicates a standard temperature for the heating element 61 of, for example, 20° C. R_H—STD indicates the resistance value of the heating element 61 measured in advance at the standards temperature of T_H—STD. α_H indicates a first-order resistance temperature coefficient. β_H indicates a second-order resistance temperature coefficient.

The resistance value R_H of the heating element 61 is given by Equation (2), below, from the driving power P_H of the heating element 61 and the current I_H that flows through the heating element 61.

R _H =P _H /I _H ²  (2)

Conversely, the resistance value R_H of the heating element 61 is given by Equation (3), below, from the voltage V_H applied to the heating element 61 and the current I_H that flows through the heating element 61.

R _H =V _H /I _H  (3)

Here the temperature T_H of the heating element 61 reaches a thermal equilibrium and stabilizes between the heating element 61 and the ambient gas. Note that this “thermal equilibrium” refers to a state wherein there is a balance between the heat production by the heating element 61 and the heat dissipation from the heating element 61 into the ambient gas. As shown in Equation (4), below, the driving power P_H of the heating element 61 in the state of thermal equilibrium is divided by the difference ΔT_H between the temperature T_H of the heat-producing element 61 and the temperature T_I of the ambient gas, to produce the heat-dissipating factor M_I of the ambient gas. Note that the units for the radiation coefficient M_I are, for example, W/° C.

M _I =P _H/(T_H−T_I)=P_H/ΔT_H  (4)

From Equation (1), above, the temperature T_H of the heating element 61 is obtained through Equation (5), below:

T _H=(1/2β_H)×[−α_H+[α_H²−4β_H(1−R_H/R_H—STD)]^1/2]+T_H—STD  (5)

Consequently, the difference ΔT_H between the temperature T_H of the heat-producing element 61 and the temperature T_I of the ambient gas is given by Equation (6), below:

ΔT_H(1/2β_H)×[−α_H+[α_H²−4β_H(1−R_H/R_H—STD)]^1/2]+T_H—STD−T_I  (6)

The temperature T_I of the ambient gas temperature T_I is approximated by the temperature T_I of the first temperature measuring element 62 when power is applied to the extent that it does not produce heat itself. The relationship between the temperature T_I of the first temperature measuring element 62 and the resistance value R_I of the first temperature measuring element 62 is given by Equation (7), below:

R _I +R _{I — STD}×[1+α_I(T_I−T_I—STD)+β_I(T_I−T_I—STD)²]  (7)

Here T_I—STD indicates a standard temperature for the first temperature measuring element 62 of, for example, 20° C. R_I—STD indicates the resistance value of the first temperature measuring element 62, measured in advance at the standard temperature of T_I—STD. A_I indicates a first-order resistance temperature coefficient. B_I indicates a second-order resistance temperature coefficient. Through Equation (7), above, the temperature T_I of the first temperature measuring element 62 is given by Equation (8), below:

T _I=(1/2β_I)×[−α_I+[α_I²−4β_I(1−R_I/R_I—STD)]^1/2]+T_I—STD  (7)

Consequently, the radiation coefficient M_I of the ambient gas is given by Equation (9), below.

$\begin{array}{cc}\begin{array}{c}{M}_I=P_H/\Delta T_H\\ =P_H/\left[\begin{array}{c}\left(1/2{\beta }_H\right)\left[-{\alpha }_H+{\left[{\alpha }_H^2-4{\beta }_H\left(1-R_H/R_{\mathrm{H\_}\mathrm{STD}}\right)\right]}^{1/2}\right]+\\ T_{\mathrm{H\_}\mathrm{STD}}-\left(1/2{\beta }_I\right)\left[-{\alpha }_I+{\left[{\alpha }_I^2-4{\beta }_I\left(1-R_I/R_{\mathrm{I\_}\mathrm{STD}}\right)\right]}^{1/2}\right]-\\ T_{\mathrm{I\_}\mathrm{STD}}\end{array}\right]\end{array}& \left(9\right)\end{array}$

The electric current I_H that flows in the heating element 61 and the driving power P_H or the voltage V_H can be measured, and thus the resistance value R_H of the heating element 61 can be calculated from Equation (2) or Equation (3), above. Similarly, it is also possible to calculate the resistance value R_I of the first temperature measuring element 62. Consequently, the radiation coefficient M_I of the ambient gas can be calculated from Equation (9), above, using the microchip 8.

Note that holding the temperature of the substrate 60 constant, using the temperature maintaining element 64, causes the temperature of the ambient gas in the vicinity of the microchip 8, prior to heating by the heating element 61, to approximate the constant temperature of the substrate 60. This suppresses the variation in the temperature of the ambient gas prior to heating by the heating element 61. Further heating, by the heating element 61, the ambient gas for which the temperature variation had been controlled makes it possible to calculate the radiation coefficient M_I with greater accuracy.

Here the ambient gas is a mixed gas, where the mixed gas is assumed to comprise four gas components: gas A, gas B, gas C, and gas D. The total of the volume fraction V_A of the gas A, the volume fraction V_B of the gas B, the volume fraction V_C of the gas C, and the volume fraction V_D of the gas D, as obtained by Equation (10), below, is 1.

V _A +V _B +V _C +V _D=1  (10)

When the per-unit-volume calorific value of gas A is defined as K_A, the per-unit-volume calorific value of gas B is defined as K_B, the per-unit-volume calorific value of gas C is defined as K_C, and the per-unit-volume calorific value of gas D is defined as K_D, then the per-unit-volume calorific value Q of mixed gas is obtained by summing the products of the volume fractions of the individual gas components and the per-unit-volume calorific values of the individual gas components. Consequently, the per-unit-volume calorific value Q of the mixed gas is given by Equation (11), below. Note that the units for the per-unit-volume calorific values are, for example, MJ/m³.

Q=K _A ×V _A +K _B ×V _B +K _C ×V _C +K _D ×V _D  (11)

Moreover, when the per-unit-volume calorific value due to the hydrogen atoms that structure the gas A is defined as K_AH, the per-unit-volume calorific value due to the hydrogen atoms that structure the gas B is defined as K_BH, the per-unit-volume calorific value due to the hydrogen atoms that structure the gas C is defined as K_CH, and the per-unit-volume calorific value due to the hydrogen atoms that structure the gas D is defined as K_DH, then the per-unit-volume calorific value Q_H due to the hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas is obtained by summing the products of the volume fractions of the individual gas components and the per-unit-volume calorific values due to the hydrogen atoms that structure the individual gas components. Consequently, the per-unit-volume calorific value Q_H due to the hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas is given by Equation (12), below.

Q _H =K _AH ×V _A +K _BH ×V _B +K _CH ×V _C +K _DH ×V _D  (12)

Moreover, when the heat-dissipating factor of gas A is defined as M_A, the heat-dissipating factor of gas B is defined as M_B, the heat-dissipating factor of gas C is defined as M_C, and the heat-dissipating factor of gas D is defined as M_D, then the heat-dissipating factor of the mixed gas M_I is given by summing the products of the volume fractions of the individual gas components and the heat-dissipating factors of the individual gas components. Consequently, the radiation coefficient M_I of the mixed gas is given by Equation (13), below.

M _I =M _A ×V _A +M _B ×V _B +M _C ×V _C +M _D ×V _D  (13)

Moreover, because the radiation coefficient of the gas is dependent on the temperature T_H of the heating element 61, the radiation coefficient M_I of the mixed gas is given by Equation (14) as a function of the temperature T_H of the heating element 61:

M _I(T_H)M_A(T_H)×_A+M_B(T_H)×V_B+M_C(T_H)×V_C+M_D(T_H)×V_D  (14)

Consequently, when the temperature of the heating element 61 is T_H1, then the radiation coefficient M_I1(T_H1) of the mixed gas is given by Equation (15), below. Moreover, when the temperature of the heating element 61 is T_H2, then the radiation coefficient M_I2(T_H2) of the mixed gas is given by Equation (16), below, and when the temperature of the heating element 61 is T_H3, then the radiation coefficient M_I3(T_H3) of the mixed gas is given by Equation (17), below.

M _I1(T_H1)=M_A(T_H1)×V_A+M_B(T_H1)×V_B+M_C(T_H1)×V_C+M_D(T_H1)×V_D  (15)

M _I2(T_H2)=M_A(T_H2)×V_A+M_B(T_H2)×V_B+M_C(T_H2)×V_C+M_D(T_H2)×V_D  (16)

M _I3(T_H3)=M_A(T_H3)×V_A+M_B(T_H3)×V_B+M_C(T_H3)×V_C+M_D(T_H3)×V_D  (17)

If here the radiation coefficients M_A(T_H), M_B(T_H), M_C(T_H), and M_D(T_H) of the individual gas components are non-linear in respect to the temperature T_H of the heating element 61, then the Equations (15) through (17), above, have linearly independent relationships. Moreover, even if the radiation coefficients M_A(T_H), M_B(T_H), M_C(T_H), and M_D(T_H) of the individual gas components are linear in respect to the temperature T_H of the heating element 61, if the rates of change of the radiation coefficients M_A(T_H), M_B(T_H), M_C(T_H), and M_D(T_H) of the individual gas components are non-linear in respect to the temperature T_H of the heating element 61 the Equations (15) through (17), above, have linearly independent relationships. Moreover, if Equations (15) through (17) have a linearly independent relationship, then Equation (10) and Equations (15) through (17) have a linearly independent relationship.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationships of the radiation coefficients of methane (CH4), propane (C₃H₈), nitrogen (N₂), and carbon dioxide (CO₂), which are included in natural gas or utility gas, to the temperature of the heating element 61 which is a heat producing resistance. The radiation coefficients of each of these components (methane (CH₄), propane (C₃H₈), nitrogen (N₂), and carbon dioxide (CO₂)) are linear in respect to the temperature of the heating element 61. However, the respective rates of change of the radiation coefficients in respect to the temperature of the heating element 61 are different for methane (CH₄), propane (C₃H₈), nitrogen (N₂), and carbon dioxide (CO₂). Consequently, Equations (15) through (17), above, are linearly independent if the gas components that comprise the mixed gas are methane (CH₄), propane (C₃H₈), nitrogen (N₂), and carbon dioxide (CO₂).

The values for the radiation coefficients M_A(T_H1), M_B(T_H1), M_C(T_H1), M_D(T_H1), M_A(T_H2), M_B(T_H2), M_C(T_H2), M_D(T_H2), M_A(T_H3), M_B(T_H3), M_C(T_H3), M_D(T_H3) for the individual gas components in Equation (15) through Equation (17) can be obtained in advance through measurements, or the like. Consequently, when the system of simultaneous equations of Equation (10) and Equation (15) through Equation (17) is solved, the volume fraction V_A of the gas A, the volume fraction V_B of the gas B, the volume fraction V_C of the gas C, and the volume fraction V_D of the gas D, respectively, are obtained as functions of the heat-dissipating factors M_I1(T_H1), M_I2(T_H2), and M_I3(T_H3) of the mixed gas, as indicated in Equation (18) through Equation (21), below. Note that in Equations (18) through (21), below, f_n, where n is a non-negative integer, is a code representing a function:

V _A =f ₁ [M _I1(T_H1),M_I2(T_H2),M_I3(T_H3)]  (18)

V _B =f ₂ [M _I1(T_H1),M_I2(T_H2),M_I3(T_H3)]  (19)

V _C =f ₃ [M _I1(T_H1),M_I2(T_H2),M_I3(T_H3)]  (20)

V _d =f ₄ [M _I1(T_H1),M_I2(T_H2),M_I3(T_H3)]  (21)

Here Equation (22), below, is obtained through substituting Equation (18) through (21) into Equation (11), above.

$\begin{array}{cc}\begin{array}{c}Q=K_A\times V_A+K_B\times V_B+K_C\times V_C+K_D\times V_D\\ =K_A\times f1\left[M_{I1}\left(T_{H1}\right),M_{I2}\left(T_{H2}\right),M_{I3}\left(T_{H3}\right)\right]+\\ K_B\times f_2\left[M_{I1}\left(T_{H1}\right),M_{I2}\left(T_{H2}\right),M_{I3}\left(T_{H3}\right)\right]+\\ K_C\times f_3\left[M_{I1}\left(T_{H1}\right),M_{I2}\left(T_{H2}\right),M_{I3}\left(T_{H3}\right)\right]+\\ K_D\times f_4\left[M_{I1}\left(T_{H1}\right),M_{I2}\left(T_{H2}\right),M_{I3}\left(T_{H3}\right)\right]\end{array}& \left(22\right)\end{array}$

As shown in Equation (22), above, the per-unit-volume calorific value Q is obtained as an equation which has, as variables, the radiation coefficients M_I1(T_H1), M_I2(T_H2), and M_I3(T_H3) of the mixed gas when the temperatures of the heating element 61 are T_H1, T_H2, and T_H3. Consequently, the calorific value Q of the mixed gas is given by Equation (23), below, where g₁ is a code representing a function.

Q=g ₁ [M _I1(T_H1),M_I2(T_H2),M_I3(T_H3)]  (23)

Moreover, according to Equation (12) and Equation (18) through Equation (21), above, the per-unit-volume calorific value Q_H due to the hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas is given by Equation (24), below, where g₂ is a code representing a function.

Q _H =g ₂ [M _I1(T_H1),M_I2(T_H2),M_I3(T_H3)]  (24)

Consequently, the inventors discovered that, for a mixed gas comprising a gas A, a gas D, a gas C, and a gas D, wherein the volume fraction V_A of the gas A, the volume fraction V_B of the gas B, the volume fraction V_C of the gas C, and the volume fraction V_D of the gas D, are unknown, it is possible to calculate easily the per-unit-volume calorific value due to the hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas to be measured if Equation (24) is obtained in advance. Specifically, it is possible to calculate uniquely the calorific value Q_H due to the hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas to be measured, through measuring the radiation coefficients M_I1(T_H1), M_I2(T_H2), and M_I3(T_H3) for the mixed gas to be measured, at the heat producing temperatures of T_H1, T_H2, and T_H3 of the heating element 61 and then substituting, into Equation (24).

Moreover, the radiation coefficient M_I of the mixed gas, as indicated in Equation (9), above, depends on the resistance value R_H of the heating element 61 and on the resistance value R_I of the first temperature measuring element 62. Given this, the inventors discovered that the per-unit-volume calorific value Q_H due to the hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in a mixed gas can also be obtained from an equation having, as variables, the resistances R_H1(T_H1), R_H2(T_H2), and R_H3(T_H3) of the heating element 61 when the temperatures of the heating element 61 are T_H1, T_H2, and T_H3, and the resistance value R_I of the first temperature measuring element 62 that is in contact with the mixed gas as shown in Equation (25), below, where h₁ is a code representing a function.

Q _H =h ₁ [R _H1(T_H1),R_H2(T_H2),R_H3(T_H3),Ri]  (25)

Given this, the calorific value Q_H due to the hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas to be measured can be calculated uniquely also by substituting, into Equation 25, the resistances R_H1(T_H1), R_H2(T_H2), and R_H3(T_H3) of the heating element 61 when the heat producing temperatures of the heating element 61, which is in contact with the mixed gas to be measured, are T_H1, T_H2, and T_H3, and the resistance value R_I of the first temperature measuring element 62 that is in contact with the mixed gas.

Moreover, the per-unit-volume calorific value Q_H due to the hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in a mixed gas can also be obtained from an equation having, as variables, the currents I_H1(T_H1), I_H2(T_H2), and I_H3(T_H3) of the heating element 61 when the temperatures of the heating element 61 are T_H1, T_H2, and T_H3, and the current I_I of the first temperature measuring element 62 that is in contact with the mixed gas as shown in Equation (26), below, where h₂ is a code representing a function.

Q _H =h ₂ [I _H1(T_H1),I_H2(T_H2),I_H3(T_H3)]  (26)

Conversely, the per-unit-volume calorific value Q_H due to the hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in a mixed gas can also be obtained from an equation having, as variables, the voltages V_H1(T_H1), V_H2(T_H2), and V_H3(T_H3) applied to the heating element 61 when the temperatures of the heating element 61 are T_H1, T_H2, and T_H3, and the voltage V₁ that is applied to the first temperature measuring element 62 that is in contact with the mixed gas as shown in Equation (27), below, where h₃ is a code representing a function.

Q _H =h ₃ [V _H1(T_H1),V_H2(T_H2),V_H3(T_H3),V_I]  (27)

Conversely, the per-unit-volume calorific value due to the hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in a mixed gas can also be obtained from an equation having, as variables, the output voltages AD_H1(T_H1), AD_H2(T_H2), and AD_H3(T_H3) of analog-digital converting circuits (hereinafter termed “A/D converting circuits”) that are connected to the heating element 61 when the temperatures of the heating element 61 are T_H1, T_H2, and T_H3, and the output voltage AD_I of an A/D converting circuit that is connected to the first temperature measuring element 62 that is in contact with the mixed gas, as shown in Equation (28), below, where h₄ is a code representing a function.

Q _H =h ₄ [AD _H1(T_H1),AD_H2(T_H2),AD_H3(T_H3),AD_I]  (28)

Consequently, the per-unit-volume calorific value Q_H due to the hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in a mixed gas can also be obtained from an equation having, as variables, electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), and S_H3(T_H3) of the heating element 61 when the temperatures of the heating element 61 are T_H1, T_H2, and T_H3, and an electric signal S_I of the first temperature measuring element 62 that is in contact with the mixed gas as shown in Equation (29), below, where h₅ is a code representing a function.

Q _H =h ₅ [S _H1(T_H1),S_H2(T_H2),S_H3(T_H3),S_I]  (29)

Next, the per-unit-volume calorific value Q_H due to the hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included the mixed gas is correlated to the sum of the products of the respective numbers N_H of hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen (for example, 1.00794), and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules in the mixed gas. Consequently, based on Equation (29), above, the sum G_H of the products of the respective numbers N_H of hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules is given by Equation (30), below, where h₆ is a code representing a function.

G _H =h ₆ [S _H1(T_H1),S_H2(T_H2),S_H3(T_H3),S_I]  (30)

Note that the gas components of the mixed gas are not limited to four different components. For example, if the mixed gas comprises n types of gas components, then first a formula, given by Equation (31), below, is obtained using, as variables, the electric signals from the heating element 61 S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), S_H3(T_H3), . . . , S_Hn-1(_THn-1) at at least n−1 different the heat producing temperatures T_H1, T_H2, T_H3, . . . , T_Hn-1, and the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62. Given this, the per-unit-volume calorific value the sum G_H of the products of the respective numbers N_H of hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules can be calculated uniquely by measuring the values of the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), S_H3(T_H3), . . . , S_Hn-1(T_Hn-1) from the heating element 61, which contacts the mixed gas to be measured that comprises n different component gases for which the respective volume fractions are unknown, and the value of the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, and then substituting into Equation (31).

G _H =h ₁₂ [S _H1(T_H1),S_H2(T_H2),S_H3(T_H3), . . . , S_Hn-1(T_Hn-1),S_I]  (31)

For example, let us assume that methane (CH₄) is included at 90 VOL %, ethane (C₂H₆) is included at 5 VOL %, propane (C₄H₁₀) is included at 1 VOL %, nitrogen (N₂) is included at 1 VOL %, and carbon dioxide gas (CO₂) is included at 2 VOL %. In this case, because the number of hydrogen atoms that structure the methane is 4, the product of the number of hydrogen atoms that structure the methane, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratio of the methane is 4×1.00794×0.9=3.628584. Moreover, because the number of hydrogen atoms that structure the ethane is 6, the product of the number of hydrogen atoms that structure the ethane, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratio of the ethane is 6×1.00794×0.05=0.302382. Moreover, because the number of hydrogen atoms that structure the propane is 8, the product of the number of hydrogen atoms that structure the propane, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratio of the propane is 8×1.00794×0.01=0.0806352. Moreover, because the number of hydrogen atoms that structure the butane is 10, the product of the number of hydrogen atoms that structure the butane, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratio of the butane is 10×1.00794×0.01=0.100794. The numbers of hydrogen atoms that structure the nitrogen and the carbon dioxide are zero.

Consequently, the sum of the product of the number of hydrogen atoms that structure the methane, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratio of the methane, the product of the number of hydrogen atoms that structure the ethane, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratio of the ethane, the product of the number of hydrogen atoms that structure the propane, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratio of the propane, and the product of the number of hydrogen atoms that structure the butane, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratio of the butane is 3.628584+0.302382+0.0806352+0.100794=4.1123952.

Note that if the mixed gas includes an alkane (C_jH_2j+2) other than methane (CH₄) and propane (C₃H₈), where j is a natural number, in addition to methane (CH₄) and propane (C₃H₈), then the alkane (C_jH_2j+2) other than methane (CH₄) and propane (C₃H₈) is seen as a mixture of methane (CH₄) and propane (C₃H₈), and there is no effect on the calculation in Equation (31). For example, as indicated in Equations (32) through (35), below, the calculation may be performed using Equation (31) by viewing ethane (C₂H₆), butane (C₄H₁₀), pentane (C₅H₁₂), and hexane (C₆H₁₄) as a mixture of methane (CH₄) and propane (C₃H₈), with each multiplied by the respective specific factors.

C ₂ H ₆=0.5CH₄+0.5C₃H₈  (32)

C ₄ H ₁₀=−0.5CH₄+1.5C₃H₈  (33)

C ₅ H ₁₂=−1.0CH₄+2.0C₃H₈  (34)

C ₆ H ₁₄=−1.5CH₄+2.5C₃H₈  (35)

Consequently, with z as a natural number, if a mixed gas comprising n types of gas components includes, as gas components, z types of alkanes (C_jH_2j+2) other than methane (CH₄) and propane (C₃H₈), in addition to methane (CH₄) and propane (C₃H₈), an equation may be calculated having, as variables, the electric signals S_H from the heating element 61 at, at least, n-z−1 different heat producing temperatures, and the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62.

If the types of gas components in the mixed gas used in the calculation in Equation (31) are the same as the types of gas components of the mixed gas to be measured, then, of course, Equation (31) can be used. Furthermore, Equation (31) can also be used when the mixed gas to be measured comprises a number of gas components that is less than n, where the gas components of the less than n different types are included in the mixed gas that is used for calculating Equation (31). If, for example, the mixed gas used in calculating Equation (31) included four types of gas components, namely methane (CH₄), propane (C₃H₈), nitrogen (N₂) and carbon dioxide (CO₂), then even if the mixed gas to be measured includes only three different components, namely methane (CH₄), propane (C₃H₈), and carbon dioxide (CO₂), without containing the nitrogen (N₂), still Equation (31) can be used.

Furthermore, if the mixed gas used in calculating Equation (31) included methane (CH₄) and propane (C₃H₈) as gas components, Equation (31) could still be used even when the mixed gas to be measured includes an alkane (C_jH_2j+2) that is not included in the mixed gas that is used in calculating Equation (31). As described above, this is because an alkane (C_jH_2j+2) other than methane (CH₄) and propane (C₃H₈) can be viewed as a mixture of methane (CH₄) and propane (C₃H₈).

Here the gas measuring system 20 according to the example illustrated in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 comprises: a pipe 101 through which flow each of the plurality of sample mixed gases; and, disposed within the pipe 101, a microchip 8 that includes the first temperature measuring element 62 and the heating element 61 for producing heat at a plurality of heat producing temperatures T_H, illustrated in FIG. 1. Note that the each of the sample mixed gases includes a plurality of types of gases. Moreover, the gas measuring system 20 illustrated in FIG. 8 comprises a measuring portion 301 for measuring the values of the electric signals S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, which are respectively dependent on the plurality of temperatures T_I of the sample mixed gas, and the values of the electric signals S_H from the heating element 61 at each of the respective heat producing temperatures T_H of the plurality thereof. Moreover, the gas measuring system 20 comprises: an equation generating portion 302 for generating an equation, based the sum of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms N_H that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules of a plurality of sample mixed gases, the values for the electric signals S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, and the plurality of values for the electric signals from the heating element 61 at the plurality of heat producing temperatures, having an electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62 and the electric signals S_H from the heating element 61 at the plurality of heat producing temperatures T_H as independent variables, and having the sum of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules as the dependent variable.

When a four types of sample mixed gases, each having a different sum of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms N_H that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, are used, then, as illustrated in FIG. 9, a first gas canister 50A for storing a first sample mixed gas, a second gas canister 50B for storing a second sample mixed gas, a third gas canister 50C for storing a third sample mixed gas, and a fourth gas canister 50D for storing a fourth sample mixed gas are prepared. The first gas canister 50A is connected, through a pipe 91A to a first gas pressure regulating device 31A for providing the first sample mixed gas from the first gas canister 50A, regulated to a low-pressure such as, for example, 0.2 MPa. Additionally, a first flow rate controlling device 32A is connected through a pipe 92A to the first gas pressure regulating device 31A. The first flow rate controlling device 32A controls the rate of flow of the first sample mixed gas that is fed into gas measuring system 20 through the pipes 92A and 101.

A second gas pressure regulating device 31B is connected through a pipe 91B to the second gas canister 50B. Additionally, a second flow rate controlling device 32B is connected through a pipe 92B to the second gas pressure regulating device 31B. The second flow rate controlling device 32B controls the rate of flow of the second sample mixed gas that is fed into gas measuring system 20 through the pipes 92B, 93, and 101.

A third gas pressure regulating device 31C is connected through a pipe 91C to the third gas canister 50C. Additionally, a third flow rate controlling device 32C is connected through a pipe 92C to the third gas pressure regulating device 31C. The third flow rate controlling device 32C controls the rate of flow of the third sample mixed gas that is fed into gas measuring system 20 through the pipes 92C, 93, and 101.

A fourth gas pressure regulating device 31_D is connected through a pipe 91D to the fourth gas canister 50D. Additionally, a fourth flow rate controlling device 32D is connected through a pipe 92D to the fourth gas pressure regulating device 31D. The fourth flow rate controlling device 32D controls the rate of flow of the fourth sample mixed gas that is fed into gas measuring system 20 through the pipes 92D, 93, and 101.

The first through fourth at sample mixed gases are each, for example, natural gas or utility gas. The first through fourth sample mixed gases each include four different gas components of, for example, methane (CH₄), propane (C₃H₈), nitrogen (N₂), and carbon dioxide (CO₂) at different volumetric ratios.

When a first sample mixed gas is provided to the pipe 101, illustrated in FIG. 8, the first temperature measuring element 62 of the microchip 8, illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, outputs an electric signal S_I that is dependent on the temperature of the first sample mixed gas. Following this, the heating element 61 applies sequentially driving powers P_H1, P_H2, and P_H3 from the driving circuit 303 illustrated in FIG. 8. When the driving powers P_H1, P_H2, and P_H3 are applied, the heating element 61 that is in contact with the first sample mixed gas produces sequentially heat at a temperature T_H1 of 100° C., a temperature T_H2 of 150° C., and a temperature T_H3 of 200° C., for example, to output an electric signal S_H1(T_H1) at the heat producing temperature T_H1, an electric signal S_H2(T_H2) at the heat producing temperature T_H2, and an electric signal S_H3(T_H3) at the heat producing temperature T_H3.

After the removal of the first sample mixed gas from the pipe 101, the second through fourth sample mixed gases are provided sequentially through the pipe 101. When the second sample mixed gas is provided to the pipe 101, the first temperature measuring element 62 of the microchip 8, illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, outputs an electric signal SI that is dependent on the temperature of the second sample mixed gas. Following this, the heating element 61, which is in contact with the second sample mixed gas, outputs an electric signal S_H1(T_H1) at a heat producing temperature T_H1, an electric signal S_H2(T_H2) at a heat producing temperature T_H2, and an electric signal S_H3(T_H3) at a heat producing temperature T_H3.

When a third sample mixed gas is provided to the pipe 101, illustrated in FIG. 8, the first temperature measuring element 62 of the microchip 8, illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, outputs an electric signal S_I that is dependent on the temperature of the third sample mixed gas. Following this, the heating element 61, which is in contact with the third sample mixed gas, outputs an electric signal S_H1(T_H1) at a heat producing temperature T_H1, an electric signal S_H2 (T_H2) at a heat producing temperature T_H2, and an electric signal S_H3(T_H3) at a heat producing temperature T_H3.

When a fourth sample mixed gas is provided to the pipe 101, illustrated in FIG. 8, the first temperature measuring element 62 of the microchip 8, illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, outputs an electric signal S_I that is dependent on the temperature of the fourth sample mixed gas. Following this, the heating element 61, which is in contact with the fourth sample mixed gas, outputs an electric signal S_H1(T_H1) at a heat producing temperature T_H1, an electric signal S_H2 (T_H2) at a heat producing temperature T_H2, and an electric signal S_H3(T_H3) at a heat producing temperature T_H3.

Note that if there are n types of gas components in each of the sample mixed gases, the heating element 61 of the microchip 8, illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, is caused to produce heat at at least n−1 different temperatures. However, as described above, an alkane (C_jH_2j+2) other than methane (CH₄) and propane (C₃H₈) can be viewed as a mixture of methane (CH₄) and propane (C₃H₈). Consequently, with z as a natural number, if a sample mixed gas comprising n types of gas components includes, as gas components, z types of alkanes (C_jH_2j+2) in addition to methane (CH₄) and propane (C₃H₈), the heating element 61 is caused to produce heat at n-z−1 different temperatures.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the microchip 8 is connected to a central calculation processing device (CPU) 300 that includes the measuring portion 301. An electric signal storing device 401 is also connected to the CPU 300. The measuring portion 301 measures the value of the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, and, from the heating element 61, the values of the electric signal S_H1(T_H1) at the heat producing temperature T_H1, the electric signal S_H2(T_H2) at the heat producing temperature T_H2, and the electric signal S_H3(T_H3) at the heat producing temperature T_H3, and stores the measured values in the electric signal storage device 401.

Note that electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62 may be the resistance value R_I of the first temperature measuring element 62, the current I_I flowing in the first temperature measuring element 62, the voltage V₁ applied to the first temperature measuring element 62, or the output signal AD_I from the A/D converting circuit 304 that is connected to the first temperature measuring element 62. Similarly, the electric signal S_H from the heating element 61 may be the resistance value R_H of the heating element 61, the current I_H flowing in the heating element 61, the voltage V_H applied to the heating element 61, or the output signal AD_H from the A/D converting circuit 304 that is connected to the heating element 61.

The equation generating portion 302 that is included in the CPU 300 collects, for example, a known value for the sum of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms N_H that structure the molecules included in a first sample mixed gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, a known value for the sum of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms N_H that structure the molecules included in a second sample mixed gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, a known value for the sum of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms N_H that structure the molecules included in a third sample mixed gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, and a known value for the sum of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms N_H that structure the molecules included in a fourth sample mixed gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, the plurality of measured values for the electric signals S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, and the plurality of measured values for the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), and S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61. Moreover, the equation generating portion 302 calculates an equation, through multivariate statistics, based on the collected values for the sums of the products, the values of the electric signals S_I, and the values of the electric signals S_H, with the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, and the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), and S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61 as the independent variables and the sum of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms N_H that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules as the dependent variable.

Note that “multivariate statistics” includes support vector analysis disclosed in A. J. Smola and B. Scholkopf (eds.), “A Tutorial on Support Vector Regression” (NeuroCOLT Technical Report NC-TR-98-030), multiple linear regression analysis, the Fuzzy Quantification Theory Type II, disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication H5-141999, and the like.

The gas measuring system 20 is further provided with an equation storage device 402, connected to the CPU 300. The equation storage device 402 stores the equation generated by the equation generating portion 302. An inputting device 312 and an outputting device 313 are also connected to the CPU 300. A keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, or the like, may be used as the inputting device 312. An image displaying device such as a liquid crystal display or a monitor, or a printer, or the like, may be used as the outputting device 313.

The flow chart shown in FIG. 10 is used next to explain a method for generating an equation for calculating the sum of the products of the numbers N_H of hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the respective mixed gases, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules.

(a) In Step S100, the valve for the first flow rate controlling device 32A is opened while leaving the second through fourth flow rate controlling devices 32B through 32D, illustrated in FIG. 9, closed, to introduce the first sample mixed gas into the pipe 101 illustrated in FIG. 8. In Step S101, the measuring portion 301 measures the value of the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62 that is in contact with the first sample mixed gas, and stores it in the electric signal storage device 401. Following this, the driving circuit 203 applies a driving power P_H1 to the heating element 61 illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, to cause the heating element 61 produce heat at 100° C. The measuring portion 301, illustrated in FIG. 8, stores, into the electric signal storage device 401, the value of the electric signal S_H1(T_H1) from the heating element 61 that produces heat at 100° C.

(b) In Step S102, the driving circuit 303 evaluates whether or not the switching of the temperatures of the heating element 61, illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, has been completed. If the switching to the temperature of 150° C. and to the temperature of 200° C. has not been completed, then processing returns to Step S101, and the driving circuit 303, illustrated in FIG. 8, causes the heating element 61, illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, to produce heat at 150° C. The measuring portion 301, illustrated in FIG. 8, stores, into the electric signal storage device 401, the value of the electric signal S_H2(T_H2) from the heating element 61 that is in contact with the first sample mixed gas and that produces heat at 150° C.

(c) In Step S102, whether or not the switching of the temperatures of the heating element 61, illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, has been completed is evaluated again. If the switching to the temperature of 200° C. has not been completed, then processing returns to Step S101, and the driving circuit 303, illustrated in FIG. 8, causes the heating element 61, illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, to produce heat at 200° C. The measuring portion 301, illustrated in FIG. 8, stores, into the electric signal storage device 401, the value of the electric signal S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61 that is in contact with the first sample mixed gas and that produces heat at 200° C.

(d) If the switching of the temperature of the heating element 61 has been completed, then processing advances from Step S102 to Step S103. In Step S103, an evaluation is performed as to whether or not the switching of the sample mixed gases has been completed. If the switching to the second through fourth sample mixed gases has not been completed, processing returns to Step S100. In Step S100, the valve for the first flow rate controlling device 32A is closed and the valve for the second flow rate controlling device 32B is opened while leaving the third and fourth flow rate controlling devices 32C through 32D, illustrated in FIG. 9, closed, to introduce the second sample mixed gas into the pipe 101 illustrated in FIG. 8.

(e) The loop of Step S101 through Step S102 is repeated in the same manner as for the first sample mixed gas. Moreover, the measuring portion 301 measures the value of the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62 that is in contact with the second sample mixed gas, and stores it in the electric signal storage device 401. Moreover, the measuring portion 301 stores, into the electric signal storage device 401, the values of the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), and S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61 that is in contact with the second sample mixed gas and that produces heat at 100° C., 150° C., and 200° C.

(f) Thereafter, the loop of Step S100 through Step S103 is repeated. Through this, the value of the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62 that is in contact with the third sample mixed gas that is provided to the pipe 101, and the values of the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), and S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61 that is in contact with the third sample mixed gas and that produces heat at 100° C., 150° C., and 200° C. are stored into the electric signal storage device 401. Moreover, the value of the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62 that is in contact with the fourth sample mixed gas that is provided to the pipe 101, and the values of the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), and S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61 that is in contact with the fourth sample mixed gas and that produces heat at 100° C., 150° C., and 200° C. are stored into the electric signal storage device 401.

(g) In Step S104, a known value for the sum of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms N_H that structure the molecules included in the first sample mixed gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, a known value for the sum of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms N_H that structure the molecules included in the second sample mixed gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, a known value for the sum of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms N_H that structure the molecules included in the third sample mixed gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, and a known value for the sum of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms N_H that structure the molecules included in the fourth sample mixed gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, the plurality of measured values for the electric signals S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, and the plurality of measured values for the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), and S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61 are inputted from the inputting device 312 into the equation generating portion 302. Moreover, the equation generating portion 302 reads out, from the electric signal storage device 401, the plurality of measured values for the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, and the plurality of measured values for the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), and S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61.

(h) In Step S105, the equation generating portion 302 performs multiple linear regression analysis based on the known values for the sums of products, the plurality of measured values for the electric signals S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, and the plurality of measured values for the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), and S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61. Through this multivariate statistics, the equation generating portion 302 calculates an equation with the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, and the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), and S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61 as the independent variables and the sum of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms N_H that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules as the dependent variable. Thereafter, in Step S106, the equation generating portion 302 stores, into the equation storage device 402, the equation that has been generated, to complete the method for generating an equation as set forth in the example.

As described above, the example according to the present disclosure makes it possible to generate an equation able to calculate uniquely the sum of the products of the numbers N_H of hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the respective mixed gases, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules.

The functioning of the gas measuring system according to the example, illustrated in FIG. 8 when measuring the sum of the products of the numbers N_H of hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in a mixed gas to be measured, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, is explained next. For example, a mixed gas to be measured, such as a natural gas or a utility gas that includes, at unknown volume fractions, methane (CH₄), propane (C₃H₈), nitrogen (N₂), and carbon dioxide gas (CO₂) is introduced into the pipe 101. The first temperature measuring element 62 of the microchip 8 illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 outputs an electric signal S_I that is dependent on the temperature of the gas that is measured. Following this, the heating element 61 applies driving powers P_H1, P_H2, and P_H3 from the driving circuit 303 illustrated in FIG. 8. When the driving powers P_H1, P_H2, and P_H3 are applied, the heating element 61 that is in contact with the mixed gas being measured produces heat at a temperature T_H1 of 100° C., a temperature T_H2 of 150° C., and a temperature T_H3 of 200° C., for example, to output an electric signal S_H1(T_H1) at the heat producing temperature T_H1, an electric signal S_H2(T_H2) at the heat producing temperature T_H2, and an electric signal S_H3 (T_H3) at the heat producing temperature T_H3.

The measuring portion 301, illustrated in FIG. 8, measures the values of the electric signal S_I, from the first temperature measuring element 62, which is dependent on the temperature T_I of the mixed gas to be measured, which is in contact with the mixed gas to be measured, which is provided to the pipe 101, and of the electric signal S_H1(T_H1) at the heat producing temperature T_H1, the electric signal S_H2(T_H2) at the heat producing temperature T_H2, and the electric signal S_H3(T_H3) at the heat producing temperature T_H3, from the heating element 61 that is in contact with the mixed gas to be measured, and stores the measured values into the electric signal storage device 401.

As described above, the equation storage device 402 stores an equation that has, as independent variables, the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, the electric signal S_H1(T_H1) from the heating element 61 with a heat producing temperature T_H1 of 100° C., the electric signal S_H2(T_H2) from the heating element 61 with a heat producing temperature T_H2 of 150° C., and the electric signal S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61 with a heat producing temperature T_H3 of 200° C., and that has, as the dependent variable, the sum of the products of the respective numbers N_H of hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules.

The gas measuring system 20 according to the example further comprises a product summing portion 305. The product summing portion 305 calculates the sum of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms N_H that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules by substituting, into the independent variable that is the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, and the independent variables that are the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), and S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61, the respective measured values for the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, and the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), and S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61. A product storage device 403 is also connected to the CPU 300. The product storage device 403 stores the value for sum of products calculated by the product summing portion 305.

The flowchart in FIG. 11 is used next to explain the gas measuring method as set forth in the example.

(a) In Step S200, the mixed gas to be measured is introduced into the pipe 101 illustrated in FIG. 8. In Step S201, the measuring portion 301 measures the value of the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62 that is in contact with the first sample mixed gas, and stores it in the electric signal storage device 401. Following this, the driving circuit 203 applies a driving power P_H1 to the heating element 61 illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, to cause the heating element 61 produce heat at 100° C. The measuring portion 301, illustrated in FIG. 8, stores, into the electric signal storage device 401, the value of the electric signal S_H1(T_H1) from the heating element 61 that is in contact with the mixed gas to be measured and that produces heat at 100° C.

(b) In Step S202, the driving circuit 303, illustrated in FIG. 8, evaluates whether or not the switching of the temperatures of the heating element 61, illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, has been completed. If the switching to the temperature of 150° C. and to the temperature of 200° C. has not been completed, then processing returns to Step S201, and the driving circuit 303 applies a driving power P_H2 to the heating element 61, illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, to cause the heating element 61 to produce heat at 150° C. The measuring portion 301, illustrated in FIG. 8, stores, into the electric signal storage device 401, the value of the electric signal S_H2(T_H2) from the heating element 61 that is in contact with the mixed gas to be measured and that produces heat at 150° C.

(c) In Step S202, whether or not the switching of the temperatures of the heating element 61, illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, has been completed is evaluated again. If the switching to the temperature of 200° C. has not been completed, then processing returns to Step S201, and the driving circuit 303 applies a driving power P_H3 to the heating element 61, illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, to cause the heating element 61 to produce heat at 200° C. The measuring portion 301, illustrated in FIG. 8, stores, into the electric signal storage device 401, the value of the electric signal S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61 that is in contact with the mixed gas to be measured and that produces heat at 200° C.

(d) If the switching of the temperature of the heating element 61 has been completed, then processing advances from Step S202 to Step S203. In Step S203, the product summing portion 305 illustrated in FIG. 8 reads out, from the equation storage device 402, an equation with the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, and the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), and S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61 as the independent variables and the sum of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms N_H that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules as the dependent variable. Moreover, the product summing portion 305 reads out, from the electric signal storage device 401, a measured value for the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62 that is in contact with the mixed gas to be measured, and measured values for the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), and S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61 that is in contact with the mixed gas to be measured.

(e) In Step S204, the product summing portion 305 calculates the sum of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms N_H that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas being measured, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules as the dependent variable by substituting the respective measured values into the independent variable that is the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, and the independent variables that are the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), and S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61. Thereafter, the product summing portion 305 stores, into the product storage device 403, the value calculated for the sum of the products, to complete the method for measuring the gas as set forth in the example.

The example according to the present disclosure, as explained above, makes it possible to measure the sum of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms N_H that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas to be measured, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, from the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, which is in contact with the mixed gas to be measured, and the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), and S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61, which is in contact with the mixed gas to be measured.

Another Example

First, 40 different sample mixed gases with known compositions were prepared. The 40 different sample mixed gases each included, as gas components, methane, propane, butane, pentane, hexane, nitrogen, and/or carbon dioxide. Following this, each of the 40 different sample mixed gases were used to obtain a plurality of measured values for the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, illustrated in FIG. 1, and a plurality of measured values for the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), S_H3(T_H3), S_H4(T_H4), and S_H5(T_H5) from the heating element 61.

Thereafter, an equation was generated, based the known values for the sums of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in each of the 40 types of sample mixed gases, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, the plurality of measured values for the electric signals S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, and the plurality of measured values for the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), S_H3(T_H3), S_H4(T_H4), and S_H5(T_H5) from the heating element 61, having an electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62 and the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), S_H3(T_H3), S_H4(T_H4), and S_H5(T_H5) from the heating element 61 as independent variables, and having the sum of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in a gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules as the dependent variable.

When generating the equation, as a rule it is possible to determine the equation appropriately using between 3 and 5 calibration points. When the generated equation was used to calculate the respective sums of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the gases, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules for each of the 40 different sample mixed gases, and these were compared to the true values, the error was within a range of ±1.25%, as illustrated in FIG. 12.

Yet Another Example

40 different sample mixed gases with known compositions were prepared in the same manner as in the another example. Following this, each of the 40 different sample mixed gases were used to obtain a plurality of measured values for the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, illustrated in FIG. 1, and a plurality of measured values for the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), S_H3(T_H3), S_H4(T_H4), and S_H5(T_H5) from the heating element 61.

Thereafter the respective sums of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the gases, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules for each of the 40 different sample mixed gases were calculated as shown in Equation (32) and Equation (33), above, treating ethane and butane each as mixtures of methane and propane. For example, as one of the sample mixed gases, methane was included at 90 VOL %, ethane was included at 5 VOL %, propane was included at 1 VOL %, nitrogen was included at 1 VOL %, and carbon dioxide gas was included at 2 VOL %. In this case, when the ethane and butane were decomposed into methane and propane, the volume of the methane was seen as 92 VOL %, which is the sum of the original 90 VOL % for the methane, plus 0.5×5 VOL % methane decomposed from the ethane and −0.5×1 VOL % methane decomposed from the butane. Moreover, the volume of the propane was seen as 5 VOL %, which is the sum of 0.5×5 VOL % propane decomposed from the ethane plus the original 1 VOL % for the propane and 1.5×1 VOL % propane decomposed from the butane.

Moreover, an equation was generated, based the calculated values for the sums of the products, the plurality of measured values for the electric signals S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, and the plurality of measured values for the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), S_H3(T_H3), S_H4(T_H4), and S_H5(T_H5) from the heating element 61, having an electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62 and the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), S_H3(T_H3), S_H4(T_H4), and S_H5(T_H5) from the heating element 61 as independent variables, and having the sum of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in a gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules as the dependent variable.

When generating the equation, as a rule it is possible to determine the equation appropriately using between 3 and 5 calibration points. When the generated equation was used to calculate the respective sums of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the gases, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules for each of the 40 different sample mixed gases, and these were compared to the true values, the error was within a range of ±2.0%, as illustrated in FIG. 13.

Further Example

A mixed gas is used as the ambient gas for the microchip 8 illustrated in FIG. 1 through FIG. 4, where the mixed gas is assumed to comprise four gas components: gas A, gas B, gas C, and gas D. When the per-unit-volume calorific value due to the carbon atoms included in the gas A is defined as K_AC, the per-unit-volume calorific value due to the carbon atoms included in the gas B is defined as K_BC, the per-unit-volume calorific value due to the carbon atoms included in the gas C is defined as K_CC, and the per-unit-volume calorific value due to the carbon atoms included in the gas D is defined as K_DC, then the per-unit-volume calorific value Q_C due to the carbon atoms included in the mixed gas is obtained by summing the products of the volume fractions of the each of the individual gas components multiplied by the per-unit-volume calorific values due to the carbon atoms included in the individual gas components. Consequently, the per-unit-volume calorific value Q_C due to the carbon atoms that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas is given by Equation (36), below.

Q _C =K _AC ×V _A +K _BC ×V _B +K _CC ×V _C +K _DC ×V _D  (36)

According to Equation (36) and Equation (18) through Equation (21), above, the per-unit-volume calorific value Q_C due to the carbon atoms that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas is given by Equation (37), below, where g₃ is a code representing a function.

Q _C =g ₃ [M _I1(T_H1),M_I2(T_H2),M_I3(T_H3)]  (37)

Moreover, has described above, the dissipating factor M_I of a mixed gas depends on the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), and S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61 when the heat producing temperatures of the heating element 61 are T_H1, T_H2, and T_H3, and the electric signal S_I of the first temperature measuring element 62 that is in contact with the mixed gas. Consequently, the per-unit-volume calorific value Q_C due to the carbon atoms that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas is given by Equation (38), below, where h₁₃ is a code representing a function.

Q _C =H ₁₃ [S _H1(T_H1),S_H2(T_H2),S_H3(T_H3),S_I]  (38)

Furthermore, the per-unit-volume calorific value Q_C due to the carbon atoms that structure the molecules included the mixed gas is correlated to the sum of the products of the respective numbers N_C of carbon atoms that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas, the atomic weight of carbon (for example, 12.0107), and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules. Consequently, based on Equation (38), above, the sum G_C of the products of the respective numbers N_C of carbon atoms that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules is given by Equation (39), below, where h₁₄ is a code representing a function.

G _C =h ₁₄ [S _H1(T_H1),S_H2(T_H2),S_H3(T_H3),S_I]  (39)

Moreover, the sum G_C of the products of the respective numbers N_C of carbon atoms that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas that comprises n types of gas components, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules is given by Equation (40), below, where h₁₅ is a code representing a function.

G _C =h ₁₅ [S _H1(T_H1),S_H2(T_H2),S_H3(T_H3), . . . , S_Hn-1(T_Hn-1),S_I]  (40)

For example, let us assume that methane (CH₄) is included at 90 VOL %, ethane (C₂H₆) is included at 5 VOL %, propane (C₄H₁₀) is included at 1 VOL %, nitrogen (N₂) is included at 1 VOL %, and carbon dioxide gas (CO₂) is included at 2 VOL %. In this case, because the number of carbon atoms that structure the methane is 1, the product of the number of carbon atoms that structure the methane, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratio of the methane is 1×12.0107×0.9=10.80963. Moreover, because the number of carbon atoms that structure the ethane is 2, the product of the number of carbon atoms that structure the ethane, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratio of the ethane is 2×12.0107×0.05=1.20107. Moreover, because the number of carbon atoms that structure the propane is 3, the product of the number of carbon atoms that structure the propane, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratio of the propane is 3×12.0107×0.01=0.360321. Moreover, because the number of carbon atoms that structure the butane is 4, the product of the number of carbon atoms that structure the butane, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratio of the butane is 4×12.0107×0.01=0.480428. The number of carbon atoms that structure the nitrogen is zero. In this case, because the number of carbon atoms that structure the carbon dioxide is 1, the product of the number of carbon atoms that structure the carbon dioxide, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratio of the carbon dioxide is 1×12.0107×0.02=0.240214.

Consequently, the sum of the product of the number of carbon atoms that structure the methane, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratio of the methane, the product of the number of carbon atoms that structure the ethane, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratio of the ethane, the product of the number of carbon atoms that structure the propane, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratio of the propane, the product of the number of carbon atoms that structure the butane, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratio of the butane and the product of the number of carbon atoms that structure the carbon dioxide, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratio of the carbon dioxide is 10.80963+1.20107+0.360321+0.480428+0.240214=13.091663.

Note that, as indicated in Equations (32) through (35), above, the calculation may be performed using Equation (39) by viewing ethane (C₂H₆), butane (C₄H₁₀), pentane (C₅H₁₂), and hexane (C₆H₁₄) as a mixture of methane (CH₄) and propane (C₃H₈), with each multiplied by the respective specific factors.

In the further example, the equation generating portion 302 collects, for example, a known value for the sum of the products of the respective numbers of carbon atoms N_C that structure the molecules included in a first sample mixed gas, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, a known value for the sum of the products of the respective numbers of carbon atoms N_C that structure the molecules included in a second sample mixed gas, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, a known value for the sum of the products of the respective numbers of carbon atoms N_C that structure the molecules included in a third sample mixed gas, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, and a known value for the sum of the products of the respective numbers of carbon atoms N_C that structure the molecules included in a fourth sample mixed gas, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, the plurality of measured values for the electric signals S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, and the plurality of measured values for the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), and S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61. Moreover, the equation generating portion 302 calculates an equation, through multivariate statistics, based on the collected values for the sums of the products, the values of the electric signals S_I, and the values of the electric signals S_H, with the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, and the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), and S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61 as the independent variables and the sum of the products of the respective numbers of carbon atoms N_C that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules as the dependent variable. The equation storage device 402 stores the equation generated by the equation generating portion 302.

Moreover, in the further example, a product summing portion 305 calculates the sum of the products of the respective numbers of carbon atoms N_C that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules in the mixed gas by substituting, into the independent variable that is the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, and the independent variables that are the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), and S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61, the respective measured values for the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, and the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), and S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61. The product storage device 403 stores the value for sum of products calculated by the product summing portion 305.

The further example according to the present disclosure, as explained above, makes it possible to measure the sum of the products of the respective numbers of carbon atoms N_C that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas to be measured, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, from the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, which is in contact with the mixed gas to be measured, and the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), and S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61, which is in contact with the mixed gas to be measured.

Yet a Further Example

40 different sample mixed gases with known compositions were prepared in the same manner as in the another example. Following this, each of the 40 different sample mixed gases were used to obtain a plurality of measured values for the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, illustrated in FIG. 1, and a plurality of measured values for the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), S_H3(T_H3), S_H4(T_H4), and S_H5(T_H5) from the heating element 61.

Thereafter, an equation was generated, based the known values for the sums of the products of the respective numbers of carbon atoms N_C that structure the molecules included in each of the 40 types of sample mixed gases, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, the plurality of measured values for the electric signals S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, and the plurality of measured values for the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), S_H3(T_H3), S_H4(T_H4), and S_H5(T_H5) from the heating element 61, having an electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62 and the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), S_H3(T_H3), S_H4(T_H4), and S_H5(T_H5) from the heating element 61 as independent variables, and having the sum of the products of the respective numbers of carbon atoms that structure the molecules included in a gas, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules as the dependent variable.

When generating the equation, as a rule it is possible to determine the equation appropriately using between 3 and 5 calibration points. When the generated equation was used to calculate the respective sums of the products of the respective numbers of carbon atoms that structure the molecules included in the gases, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules for each of the 40 different sample mixed gases, and these were compared to the true values, the error was within a range of ±1.5%, as illustrated in FIG. 14.

Yet Still a Further Example

A mixed gas is used as the ambient gas for the microchip 8 illustrated in FIG. 1 through FIG. 4, where the mixed gas is assumed to comprise four gas components: gas A, gas B, gas C, and gas D. When the per-unit-volume calorific value due to the carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms included in the gas A is defined as K_ACH, the per-unit-volume calorific value due to the carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms included in the gas B is defined as K_BCH, the per-unit-volume calorific value due to the carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms included in the gas C is defined as K_CCH, and the per-unit-volume calorific value due to the carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms included in the gas D is defined as K_DCH, then the per-unit-volume calorific value Q_CH due to the carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms included in the mixed gas is obtained by summing the products of the volume fractions of the each of the individual gas components multiplied by the per-unit-volume calorific values due to the carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms included in the individual gas components. Consequently, the per-unit-volume calorific value Q_CH due to the carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms included in the mixed gas is given by Equation (41), below.

Q _CH =K _ACH ×V _A +K _BCH ×V _B +K _CCH ×V _CH +K _DC ×V _D  (41)

According to Equation (41) and Equation (18) through Equation (21), above, the per-unit-volume calorific value Q_CH due to the carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas is given by Equation (42), below, where g₄ is a code representing a function.

Q _CH =g ₄ [M _I1(T_H1),M_I2(T_H2),M_I3(T_H3)]  (42)

Moreover, has described above, the dissipating factor M_I of a mixed gas depends on the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), and S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61 when the heat producing temperatures of the heating element 61 are T_H1, T_H2, and T_H3, and the electric signal S_I of the first temperature measuring element 62 that is in contact with the mixed gas. Consequently, the per-unit-volume calorific value Q_CH due to the carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas is given by Equation (43), below, where h₁₆ is a code representing a function.

Q _CH =h ₁₆ [S _H1(T_H1),S_H2(T_H2),S_H3(T_H3),S_I]  (43)

Furthermore, the per-unit-volume calorific value Q_CH due to the carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included the mixed gas is correlated to the sum of the products of the respective numbers N_C of carbon atoms that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules and the sum of the products of the respective numbers N_H of hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules. Consequently, based on Equation (43), above, the sum G_CH of the products of the respective numbers N_C of carbon atoms that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules that are included in the mixed gas, and the sum of the products of the respective numbers N_H of hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules is given by Equation (44), below, where h₁₇ is a code representing a function.

G _CH =h ₁₇ [S _H1(T_H1),S_H2(T_H2),S_H3(T_H3),S_I]  (44)

Moreover, the sum G_CH of the products of the respective numbers N_C of carbon atoms that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules that are included in the n types of gas components and the sum of the products of the respective numbers N_H of hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules is given by Equation (45), below, where h₁₈ is a code representing a function.

G _CH =h ₁₈ [S _H1(T_H1),S_H2(T_H2),S_H3(T_H3), . . . , S_Hn-1(T_Hn-1),S_I]  (45)

Note that, as indicated in Equations (32) through (35), above, the calculation may be performed using Equation (45) by viewing ethane (C₂H₆), butane (C₄H₁₀), pentane (C₅H₁₂), and hexane (C₆H₁₄) as a mixture of methane (CH₄) and propane (C₃H₈), with each multiplied by the respective specific factors.

In this yet still a further example, the equation generating portion 302, illustrated in FIG. 8, collects a known value for the sum of the products of the respective numbers N_C of carbon atoms that structure the molecules included in a first sample mixed gas, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules and a known value for the sum of the products of the respective numbers N_H of hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules. Moreover, the equation generating portion 302 collects a known value for the sum of the products of the respective numbers N_C of carbon atoms that structure the molecules included in a second sample mixed gas, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules and a known value for the sum of the products of the respective numbers N_H of hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules.

Moreover, the equation generating portion 302 collects a known value for the sum of the products of the respective numbers N_C of carbon atoms that structure the molecules included in a third sample mixed gas, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules and a known value for the sum of the products of the respective numbers N_H of hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules. Moreover, the equation generating portion 302 collects a known value for the sum of the products of the respective numbers N_C of carbon atoms that structure the molecules included in a fourth sample mixed gas, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules and a known value for the sum of the products of the respective numbers N_H of hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules.

Furthermore, the equation generating portion 302 collects the plurality of measured values for the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, and the plurality of measured values for the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), and S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61. The equation generating portion 302 calculates an equation, through multivariate statistics, based on the collected values for the sums of the products, the values of the electric signals S_I, and the values of the electric signals S_H, with the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, and the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), and S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61 as the independent variables and the sum of sum of the products of the respective numbers of carbon atoms N_C that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules added to the sum of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms N_H that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules as the dependent variable. The equation storage device 402 stores the equation generated by the equation generating portion 302.

Moreover, in the yet still a further example, a product summing portion 305 calculates the sum of sum of the products of the respective numbers of carbon atoms N_C that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules added to the sum of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms N_H that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, by substituting, into the independent variable that is the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, and the independent variables that are the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), and S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61, the respective measured values for the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, and the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), and S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61. The product storage device 403 stores the value of the sum calculated by the product summing portion 305.

The yet still a further example according to the present disclosure, as explained above, makes it possible to measure the sum of sum of the products of the respective numbers of carbon atoms N_C that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules added to the sum of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms N_H that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, from the electric signal S_I from the first temperature measuring element 62, which is in contact with the mixed gas to be measured, and the electric signals S_H1(T_H1), S_H2(T_H2), and S_H3(T_H3) from the heating element 61, which is in contact with the mixed gas to be measured.

Yet Another Further Example

The electric power generating system as set forth in a yet another further example, as illustrated in FIG. 15, comprises: a gas measuring system 20 that is connected by a pipe 101; a flow rate controlling device 501; a reforming device 502; a shifter 503; a selective oxidizing device 504; and a fuel cell 505. The gas measuring system 20 is supplied a gas, and, as explained in the example, calculates the value of the sum of the products of the numbers of hydrogen atoms that structure the respective molecules included in the gases that flow in the pipe 101, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules.

The flow rate controlling device 501 that is disposed downstream of the gas measuring system 200 controls the flow rate of the gas that flows in the pipe 101 based on the value of the sum of the products calculated by the gas measuring system 20. For example, when the sum of the products, calculated by the gas measuring system 20, is large, the flow rate of the gases that flow in the pipe 101 may be reduced because the hydrogen molecules that can be provided to the fuel cell 505 are abundant. Moreover, if the value for the total of the products, calculated by the gas measuring system 20, is small, then the flow rate of the gases that flow in the pipe 101 may be increased, because the hydrogen molecules that can be provided to the fuel cell 505 may be inadequate.

The reforming device 502 that is disposed downstream of the flow rate controlling device 501 generates the hydrogen molecules through a reforming method known as steam reformation. For example, the methane in the gas is reacted with water to produce carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen. The shifter 503 that is disposed downstream from the reforming device 502 reacts the carbon monoxide that is in the gas with water to reduce the concentration of carbon monoxide in the gas through a shifting reaction that produces carbon dioxide and hydrogen molecules.

The selective oxidizing device 502 that is disposed downstream of the shifter 503 reacts the carbon monoxide that remains in the gas with oxygen in order to produce carbon dioxide, to further reduce the concentration of carbon monoxide in the gas. The fuel cell 505 that is disposed downstream from the shifter 503 is provided with a gas that is rich in hydrogen molecules and wherein the carbon monoxide concentration has been reduced, to thereby produce electricity.

The electric power generating system according to the yet another further example, set forth above, is able to predict the quantity of hydrogen molecules that are supplied to the fuel cell 505, and is able to maintain at a constant level the quantity of hydrogen molecules supplied to the fuel cell 505. Because of this, it is possible to drive the fuel cell 505 with stability. Note that the gas measuring system 20 may instead calculate the sum of the products of the numbers of carbon molecules that structure the respective molecules included in the gas, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules.

Other Examples

While there are descriptions of examples as set forth above, the descriptions and drawings that form a portion of the disclosure are not to be understood to limit the present disclosure. A variety of alternate examples and operating technologies should be obvious to those skilled in the art. For example, in the example, the example explains wherein the equation storage device 402 illustrated in FIG. 8 stores an equation that has, as independent variables, electrical signals from the first temperature measuring element 62, illustrated in FIG. 1, and electrical signals from the heating element 61 at a plurality of the producing temperatures, and, as independent variables, sums of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the gases, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules.

In contrast, as explained in Equation (24), above, the per-unit-volume calorific value Q_H due to the hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in a mixed gas, can be obtained from an equation wherein the pressure P_S of the gas and the radiation coefficients M_I1(T_H1), M_I2(T_H2), and M_I3(T_H3) of the gas at the respective temperatures T_H1, T_H2, and T_H3 for the heating element 61 are the variables. Moreover, the per-unit-volume calorific value Q_H due to the hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included the mixed gas is correlated to the sum of the products of the respective numbers N_H of hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the mixed gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen (for example, 1.00794), and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules in the mixed gas.

Consequently, the equation storage device 402 illustrated in FIG. 8 stores a correlation between radiation coefficients and sums of products, such as an equation that has, as an independent variable, radiation coefficients of gases at a plurality of heat producing temperatures of the heating element 61, and, as independent variables, sums of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the gases, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules. In this case, the measuring portion 301 measures the measured values for the radiation coefficients of the gas that is injected into the pipe 101, doing so with the heating element 61 producing heat at a plurality of heat producing temperatures. Note that as is explained for Equation (9), above, it is possible to measure the radiation coefficients of the gas using a microchip 8. The calculating portion 305 calculates a measured value for the sum of the products of the numbers of hydrogen atoms that structure the respective molecules included in the gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, by substituting, into the independent variables in the equation stored in the equation storage device 402, measured values for the radiation coefficients of the gases.

FIG. 16 illustrates the relationship between the radiation coefficient and the thermal conductivity in a mixed gas when electric currents of 2 mA, 2.5 mA, and 3 mA are produced in a heat producing resistance. As illustrated in FIG. 16, typically there is a proportional relationship between the radiation coefficient and the thermal conductivity of the mixed gas. Consequently, the equation storage device 402 illustrated in FIG. 8 stores an equation that has, as independent variables, thermal conductivities of gases at a plurality of heat producing temperatures of the heating element 61, and, as independent variables, sums of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the gases, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules. In this case, the measuring portion 301 measures the measured values for the thermal conductivities of the gas that is injected into the pipe 101, doing so with the heating element 61 producing heat at a plurality of heat producing temperatures. The calculating portion 305 calculates a measured value for the sum of the products of the numbers of hydrogen atoms that structure the respective molecules included in the gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, by substituting, into the independent variables in the equation stored in the equation storage device 402, measured values for the thermal conductivities of the gases.

In this way, the present disclosure should be understood to include a variety of examples, and the like, not set forth herein.

Claims

1. An electric power generating system, comprising: a temperature measuring element being in contact with a gas;a heating element being in contact with the gas and producing heat at a plurality of heat producing temperatures;a measuring unit measuring a value for an electric signal from a temperature measuring element that is dependent on the temperature of the gas, and a value for an electric signal from a heating element at each of a plurality of heat producing temperatures;an equation storage device storing a first equation that includes independent variables that represent electric signals from the temperature measuring element and electric signals from the heating element at the plurality of heat producing temperatures and a dependent variable that represents the sum of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules;a calculator calculating a value that represents the sum of the products of the respective numbers of hydrogen atoms that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, by substituting, into the independent variables in the first equation, values for the electric signals from the measuring element and values for the electric signals from the heating element;a fuel cell being supplied with hydrogen extracted from the gas; anda controlling device controlling the amount of hydrogen provided to the fuel cell, based on the value indicated by the calculated product.

2. The electric power generating system as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the equation storage device stores a second equation that includes independent variables that represent electric signals from the temperature measuring element and electric signals from the heating element at the plurality of heat producing temperatures and a dependent variable that represents the sum of the products of the respective numbers of carbon atoms that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules; andthe calculator calculates a value that represents the sum of the products of the respective numbers of carbon atoms that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, by substituting, into the independent variables in the first equation, values for the electric signals from the measuring element and values for the electric signals from the heating element.

3. The electric power generating system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the mixed gas being measured is natural gas or a utility gas.

4. A gas measuring system, comprising: a temperature measuring element being in contact with a gas;a heating element being in contact with the gas and producing heat at a plurality of heat producing temperatures;a measuring unit measuring a value for an electric signal from a temperature measuring element that is dependent on the temperature of the gas, and a value for an electric signal from a heating element at each of a plurality of heat producing temperatures;an equation storage device storing an equation that includes independent variables that represent electric signals from the temperature measuring element and electric signals from the heating element at the plurality of heat producing temperatures and a dependent variable that represents the sum of the products of the respective numbers of atoms that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weight of the atoms, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules; anda calculator calculating a value that represents the sum of the products of the respective numbers of atoms that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weight of the atoms, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules, by substituting, into the independent variables in the equation, values for the electric signals from the measuring element and values for the electric signals from the heating element.

5. The gas measuring system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the sum of the products of the numbers of atoms that structure each of the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weights of the atoms, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules is the sum of the products of the numbers of hydrogen atoms that structure each of the molecules included the gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules.

6. The gas measuring system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the sum of the products of the numbers of atoms that structure each of the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weights of the atoms, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules is the sum of the products of the numbers of carbon atoms that structure each of the molecules included the gas, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules.

7. The gas measuring system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the sum of the products of the numbers of atoms that structure each of the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weights of the atoms, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules is the sum of the sum of the products of the numbers of hydrogen atoms that structure each of the molecules included the gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules plus sum of the products of the numbers of carbon atoms that structure each of the molecules included the gas, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules.

8. The gas measuring system as set forth in any of claim 4, wherein the mixed gas being measured is natural gas or a utility gas.

9. A gas measuring system, comprising: a measuring unit measuring a measured value of a gas radiation coefficient or a thermal conductivity;a storage device storing a correlation between the gas radiation coefficient or a thermal conductivity, and the sum of the products of the respective numbers of atoms that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weights of the atoms, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules; anda calculator calculating a value representing the sum of the products of the respective numbers of atoms that structure the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weights of the atoms, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules based on a measured value of a gas radiation coefficient or a thermal conductivity and the correlation.

10. The gas measuring system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the sum of the products of the numbers of atoms that structure each of the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weights of the atoms, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules is the sum of the products of the numbers of hydrogen atoms that structure each of the molecules included the gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules.

11. The gas measuring system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the sum of the products of the numbers of atoms that structure each of the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weights of the atoms, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules is the sum of the products of the numbers of carbon atoms that structure each of the molecules included the gas, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules.

12. The gas measuring system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the sum of the products of the numbers of atoms that structure each of the molecules included in the gas, the atomic weights of the atoms, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules is the sum of the sum of the products of the numbers of hydrogen atoms that structure each of the molecules included the gas, the atomic weight of hydrogen, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules plus sum of the products of the numbers of carbon atoms that structure each of the molecules included the gas, the atomic weight of carbon, and the volumetric ratios of the respective molecules.

13. The gas measuring system as set forth in any of claim 9, wherein the mixed gas being measured is natural gas or a utility gas.