Russell M. Clinton - Humble TX William P. Jones - Baytown TX Mark A. Roffman - Crosby TX
Assignee:
Chevron Research and Technology Company, a Division of Chevron U.S.A. Inc. - San Francisco CA
International Classification:
G01K 300
US Classification:
236 68C
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for measuring and compensating for the impact of environmental effects on industrial processing units. A thermal test element having a low thermal mass and high conductivity is exposed to the environment. Ambient air temperature is sensed at a nearby location, and a differential temperature controller determines how much energy is required to maintain the test element at a desired temperature differential from ambient temperature. Duty cycle and wattage outputs enable feedforward compensation for environmentally induced process unit control disturbances.