An integrated and detachable core supersonic separator

Abstract

A core-integrated detachable supersonic separator, the integrated supersonic separator core of which includes an axial swirl section, a Laval nozzle section, a separation section and a diffuser section; fixed fins are fixedly connected to the outside of the end of the Laval nozzle section, and the fixed fins are adapted to fit with the inner wall of the supersonic separator housing; a separation wing end limiting ring is arranged at the end of the separation wing of the separation section, the inner ring surface of the separation wing end limiting ring is fixedly connected to the end ring surface of the separation wing, and the outer ring surface is adapted to fit with the inner wall of the supersonic separator housing; a fixed support plate is arranged between the inner wall of the separation wing end and the diffuser section, the fixed support plate is arranged parallel to the axis of the supersonic separator housing, and its upper part is fixedly connected to the inner surface of the separation wing, and the lower part is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the diffuser section, thereby forming an integrated supersonic separator core that can be integrally withdrawn and replaced. The invention solves the problems of complex fixing method between the core and the external sleeve and high processing difficulty; it avoids the occurrence of leakage and shock waves caused by flange connection in the past.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of natural gas processing, in particular to a condensation separation supersonic separator, specifically a core-integrated detachable supersonic separator. Background Art

[0002] The mixed natural gas extracted from natural gas fields contains mixed gases such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, and sulfides, and wet steam is generally in a highly saturated state, so it is easy to cause blockage or corrosion damage to transportation pipelines. Therefore, removing water and liquid droplets is a necessary step in natural gas production.

[0003] The main methods for natural gas dehydration include absorption method, condensation method, adsorption method, and membrane separation method, etc. The solvent absorption method has a large number of equipment settings, a large system, and high investment costs. The refrigeration equipment used in the condensation method is mainly throttle valves and turboexpanders. The irreversibility of throttle valves will cause energy loss. The manufacturing difficulty of turboexpanders is relatively large and the reliability is poor because they have high-speed moving parts. The adsorbents of the solid adsorption method are prone to poisoning and crushing and pulverization, and consume a large amount of energy during regeneration; for large-scale equipment, its investment and operating costs are high. Membrane-based natural gas dehydration has defects such as relatively large hydrocarbon losses during the permeation process and the plasticization and swelling effects of water vapor on polymer membranes.

[0004] The supersonic separator is a new type of condensation separation technology that utilizes supersonic speed to generate a low-temperature environment based on the research of gas dynamics, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics. The supersonic cyclone separator completes processes such as expansion and cooling, cyclone gas / liquid separation, and recompression in a closed and compact device. It is a static device of the low-temperature condensation method, and its advantages include airtight and leak-free, no need for chemical agents (ethylene glycol or methanol), simple equipment process and structure, high isentropic efficiency and small pressure drop, compact and lightweight structure, simple and reliable (no moving parts), and support for unattended operation, etc., achieving the dual benefits of cost savings and environmental protection. However, the research history of this technology is not long, and it still stays in the research on the flow characteristics and prototype structure in the process of gas supersonic fluid. There are still many problems to be solved at present, such as: the fixing method between the central body and the outer sleeve is relatively complex and the processing difficulty is large; the flange connection between the cyclone section, the separation section, and the diffuser section increases the risk of leakage and shock wave generation. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides a detachable, simple-structured, and excellent-performance supersonic separator, providing a feasible solution for further optimizing the structure of the existing supersonic separator and reducing the processing difficulty.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0007] A core-integrated detachable supersonic separator, comprising a supersonic separator housing and an integrated supersonic separator core installed within the supersonic separator housing; the integrated supersonic separator core includes a swirl section, a Laval nozzle section, a separation section, and a diffuser section arranged axially in sequence; a fixed fin is fixedly connected to the outside of the end of the Laval nozzle section, and the fixed fin fits snugly with the inner wall of the supersonic separator housing; and a separation wing end limit ring is provided at the end of the separation wing of the separation section. The inner ring surface of the separation wing end limit ring is fixedly connected to the end ring surface of the separation wing, and the outer ring surface fits snugly with the inner wall of the supersonic separator housing; a fixed support plate is provided between the inner wall of the separation wing end and the diffuser section. After the fixed support plate is arranged parallel to the axis of the supersonic separator housing, its upper part is fixedly connected to the inner surface of the separation wing, and its lower part is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the diffuser section, thereby forming an integrated supersonic separator core that can be withdrawn and replaced as a whole.

[0008] The swirl section at the front end of the integrated supersonic separator core is axially positioned and sealed on the front flange of the supersonic separator housing through a start-end positioning ring, while the end of the diffuser section is axially positioned on the flange of the rear fixed flange through an end limit forging ring.

[0009] The fixed support plates are evenly distributed at 60° - 90° along the circumferential direction of the diffuser section, and the fluid flow end is a pointed wedge cone shape.

[0010] The swirl section includes a swirl housing, an elliptical spherical center cone, and swirl blades; the elliptical spherical center cone is coaxially arranged with the swirl housing and is placed inside the swirl housing. The start end of the swirl blade is a conical structure and is spirally fixed between the swirl housing and the elliptical spherical center cone.

[0011] The core-integrated detachable supersonic separator includes a saturated gas phase inlet, a liquid phase outlet, and a dry gas outlet; the saturated gas phase inlet is arranged at the front flange of the supersonic separator housing, the liquid phase outlet is opened on the supersonic separator housing between the separation wing and the diffuser section; the dry gas outlet is arranged at the rear flange of the supersonic separator housing.

[0012] A drain valve is provided at the liquid phase outlet.

[0013] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0014] (1) The present invention is noise-free, does not use chemicals during the separation process, has no environmental pollution, is reasonably designed, has a large processing capacity, has no energy consumption, and is convenient to use.

[0015] (2) The present invention does not require external energy. Only by using the structure of the separator itself and utilizing the energy conversion of the medium itself, the swirl and expansion acceleration of saturated wet natural gas can be achieved, and under the formed low-temperature and low-pressure environment, the water vapor in the natural gas condenses and precipitates.

[0016] (3) After the liquid-phase water droplets are precipitated in the present invention, under the action of the strong centrifugal force inside the annular cavity, the liquid-phase water droplets can be thrown towards the wall surface of the separation wing and then discharged from the separation cavity, thereby realizing the separation of the condensate. The remaining dry natural gas in the diffuser section restores the pressure and temperature to meet the requirements of natural gas export.

[0017] (4) The present invention also solves the problems of complex fixing methods between the central body and the outer sleeve and high processing difficulty; it avoids the occurrence of leakage and shock waves caused by flange connection in the past. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of the integrated supersonic separator core of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the swirl generator of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the inlet end of the fixed support plate of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the outlet end of the fixed support plate of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 is Figure 1 the enlarged view of part I in

[0024] Reference numerals in the figures: 1 - supersonic separator housing; 2-1 / 2-2 - front fixed flange; 3 - connecting pipe section; 4-1 / 4-2 - rear fixed flange; 5 - bolt; 6 - nut; 7 - swirl section; 8 - swirl generator housing; 9 - elliptical spherical central cone; 10 - swirl generating blade; 11 - Laval nozzle section; 12 - separation section; 13 - separation wing; 14 - diffuser section; 15 - starting end positioning ring; 16 - fixed fin; 17 - separation wing end limit ring; 18 - end limit forging ring; 19 - fixed support plate; 20 - integrated supersonic separator core; 21 - saturated gas phase inlet; 22 - liquid phase outlet; 23 - dry gas outlet; 24 - drain valve; 25 - sealing gasket. Detailed Embodiments

[0025] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Referring to Figure 1 , a core-integrated detachable supersonic separator includes a supersonic separator housing 1 and an integrated supersonic separator core 20 installed inside the supersonic separator housing 1.

[0027] The above-mentioned supersonic separator housing 1 includes a front-end fixed flange, a connecting pipe section 3, a rear-end fixed flange, a sealing gasket 25, bolts 5, and nuts 6. The 2-1 part of the front-end fixed flange and the 4-1 part of the rear-end fixed flange are respectively welded to the front and rear ends of the connecting pipe section 3, and are connected by bolts 5 and nuts 6 after being respectively fitted with the 2-2 part of the front-end fixed flange and the 4-2 part of the rear-end fixed flange.

[0028] The integrated supersonic separator core includes a swirl section 7, a Laval nozzle section 11, a separation section 12, and a diffuser section 14 arranged axially in sequence; a fixed fin 16 is welded to the outside of the end of the Laval nozzle section 11, and the fixed fin 16 is fitted and adhered to the inner wall of the supersonic separator housing 1 to prevent the injection pipe from vibrating caused by improper operation. And a separation wing end limiting ring 17 is arranged at the end of the separation wing 13 of the separation section 12. The inner ring surface of the separation wing end limiting ring 17 is welded to the end ring surface of the separation wing 13, and the outer ring surface is fitted and adhered to the inner wall of the supersonic separator housing 1. The separation wing end limiting ring 17 is used to fix the inclination angle of the separation wing and the overall position of the integrated supersonic separator core. A fixed support plate 19 is arranged between the inner wall of the end of the separation wing 13 and the diffuser section 14. After the fixed support plate 19 is arranged parallel to the axis of the supersonic separator housing 1, its upper part is fixedly connected to the inner surface of the separation wing 13, and its lower part is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the diffuser section 14, thereby forming an integrated supersonic separator core 20 that can be integrally withdrawn and replaced.

[0029] The swirl section 7 at the front end of the integrated supersonic separator core is axially positioned and installed on the front flange of the supersonic separator housing 1 through a start-end positioning ring 15, and the end of the diffuser section 14 is axially positioned on the flange of the rear-end fixed flange through an end limiting forging ring 18.

[0030] Specifically: A start-end positioning ring 15 is welded to the ring surface of the swirl housing 8 and is flush with the vertical surface of the front flange. The start-end positioning ring 15 is axially fixed between two flange surfaces and a sealing gasket 25 is provided between the start-end positioning ring 15 and the vertical surface of the flange. The inner ring surface of the start-end positioning ring 15 is welded to the swirl housing 8, and the outer ring surface is fitted to the circular ring surface formed by the bolts 5 and is fixed inside the bolts 5. The end of the diffuser section 14 is provided with an end limiting forging ring 18. The inner ring surface of the diffuser end limiting forging ring 18 is welded and connected to the circumference of the end of the diffuser section 14, and the outer ring surface is fitted to the supersonic separator housing 1 and is axially limited by the flange surface of the rear-end fixed flange.

[0031] The feed at the inlet of the supersonic separator enters axially. Due to the relatively high flow rate, it will cause the vibration and axial displacement of the integrated supersonic separator core. Axial positioning and installation can effectively prevent the vibration and axial displacement of the integrated supersonic separator core.

[0032] A vertical fixed support plate 19 is provided between the end of the separation wing 13 and the diffuser section 14. The fixed support plate 19 is welded parallel to the axis at the 1 / 4 - 1 / 5 position of the end of the separation wing. The fixed support plates are evenly distributed at 60° - 90° along the circumferential direction of the diffuser section, and the fluid flow end is a sharp wedge cone shape. The fixed support plate 19 mainly fixes the gap spacing of the fluid flow channel, makes the supersonic separator core integrated, and can play a role in liquid diversion. The slope structure of the sharp wedge cone at the front end of the fixed support plate enables the liquid to flow out smoothly with little flow resistance.

[0033] As Figure 3 shown, the swirl section 7 includes a swirl housing 8, an elliptical spherical center cone 9, and swirl vanes 10. The elliptical spherical center cone 9 is coaxial with the swirl housing 8 and is placed inside the swirl housing 8. The starting end of the swirl vane 10 is a conical surface structure and is welded and fixed in a spiral shape between the swirl housing 8 and the elliptical spherical center cone 9; this structure helps the gas to enter the spiral vane to form a spiral flow and has little resistance to the air flow.

[0034] A liquid outflow channel is provided between the separation wing and the diffuser. The inclination angle of the separation wing deviating from the horizontal is determined by the tangential flow velocity of the droplet swirl, and the gap between the separation wing and the diffuser section and the droplet nucleation amount are decisive. The inlet of the diffuser section is in a slope shape, and its slope is parallel to the inclined surface of the separation wing. The slope is conducive to the liquid being thrown out of the wall surface.

[0035] The core integrated detachable supersonic separator includes a gas phase inlet 21, a liquid phase outlet 22, and a dry gas outlet 23. The saturated gas phase inlet 21 is arranged at the front flange of the supersonic separator housing 1, and the liquid phase outlet 22 is opened on the supersonic separator housing 1 between the separation wing 13 and the diffuser section 14; the dry gas outlet 23 is arranged at the rear flange of the supersonic separator housing 1.

[0036] As Figure 6 shown, the liquid outflow channel between the diffuser section 14 and the separation wing 13 is an annular separation chamber, and the shape of the end of the diffuser section 14 inserted into the separation section 12 is a sharp wedge cone. The annular separation chamber is placed at the inlet cross-section of the diffuser section 14. The separation ring cross-section divides the inlet cross-section of the diffuser section 14 into an inner cross-section and an outer cross-section. The outer cross-section is formed between the inner wall of the separation wing and the outer wall of the sharp wedge cone. The outer cross-section is the inlet end of the separator, and the outlet end of the separator is connected to the liquid phase outlet; the inner cross-section is formed between the inner wall of the sharp wedge cone to form a diffuser. The inner cross-section is the inlet end of the diffuser section, and the outlet end of the diffuser section is connected to the dry gas outlet 23.

[0037] A drain valve 24 is provided at the liquid phase outlet 22 to prevent gas from slipping out of the liquid flow channel.

[0038] The operating principle of this invention is that, under a certain pressure and temperature, saturated wet natural gas enters a detachable supersonic separator with an integrated core at a steady speed. After passing through a short straight pipe section, the saturated wet natural gas generates centrifugal force under the action of a cyclone. According to the law of conservation of angular momentum, the centrifugal acceleration of the saturated wet natural gas increases with decreasing rotation radius, increasing the swirl intensity and forming a swirling saturated wet natural gas with sufficient tangential flow velocity.

[0039] After the swirling saturated wet natural gas enters the Laval nozzle section, it undergoes adiabatically expansion and is accelerated to supersonic speeds. Simultaneously, its temperature and pressure rapidly decrease, converting its thermal and pressure energy into kinetic energy, further increasing its kinetic energy. This creates a low-temperature, low-pressure environment within the Laval nozzle section. When the temperature in the Laval nozzle section drops low enough to supersaturate the swirling saturated wet natural gas, condensables drop below the dew point and condense. Strong centrifugal forces then throw them toward the Laval nozzle section, near or on the separating wing wall.

[0040] After the saturated swirling natural gas enters the Laval nozzle section, the flow path radius in the Laval nozzle section gradually decreases. Therefore, according to the law of conservation of angular momentum, the swirl angular velocity of the saturated swirling natural gas will automatically increase. When passing through the throat of the Laval nozzle section, the rotation diameter of the saturated swirling natural gas is greatly reduced, thereby further increasing the rotation angle of the saturated swirling natural gas. At this time, the saturated swirling natural gas can produce up to 1x10 6 m / s 2 times the tangential acceleration, which fully ensures that the condensed small droplets can be discharged from the supersonic cyclone separator by the cyclone.

[0041] Under such intense centrifugal force, the small droplets condensed from the swirling saturated wet natural gas mixture are flung toward the inner wall of the separation element, forming a liquid film. The droplets formed from this liquid film then move along the inner wall of the separation wing, ultimately flowing into the annular separation chamber and exiting the supersonic cyclone separator through the liquid phase outlet, thus achieving gas-liquid separation of the saturated wet natural gas. Because the residence time of the wet natural gas mixture in the gas stream is extremely short compared to the relatively low hydrate formation rate, hydrates do not form in the rectifying supersonic cyclone separator. This demonstrates that the liquid phase of the saturated wet natural gas can be discharged without the addition of chemicals.

[0042] After the liquid phase in the swirling saturated wet natural gas is discharged, the swirling dry natural gas flows into the diffuser. At this time, the dry natural gas flowing out of the Laval nozzle section has a strong swirl. If it directly enters the transmission pipeline, it will cause very large losses. Therefore, the swirling saturated wet natural gas needs to first undergo a small amount of pressure increase in the diffuser to reduce the speed. At this time, the kinetic energy of the natural gas is converted into pressure energy and heat energy, causing the temperature and pressure of the swirling dry natural gas to rise to a certain extent. This enables the temperature and pressure of the dry natural gas to meet the pipeline transmission requirements in the diffuser, and then it flows out through the outlet of the straight-through pipe.

Claims

1. An integrated and detachable supersonic separator for a core body, characterized in that It includes a supersonic separator housing (1) and an integrated supersonic separator core (20) installed inside the supersonic separator housing (1); the integrated supersonic separator core includes a swirl section (7), a Laval nozzle section (11), a separation section (12), and a diffuser section (14) arranged axially in sequence; a fixed fin (16) is fixedly connected to the outside of the end of the Laval nozzle section (11), and the fixed fin (16) fits and adheres to the inner wall of the supersonic separator housing (1); and a separation wing end limiting ring (17) is provided at the end of the separation wing (13) of the separation section (12). The inner ring surface of the separation wing end limiting ring (17) is fixedly connected to the end ring surface of the separation wing (13), and the outer ring surface fits and adheres to the inner wall of the supersonic separator housing (1); a fixed support plate (19) is provided between the inner wall of the end of the separation wing (13) and the diffuser section (14). After the fixed support plate (19) is arranged parallel to the axis of the supersonic separator housing (1), its upper part is fixedly connected to the inner surface of the separation wing (13), and its lower part is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the diffuser section (14), thereby forming an integrated supersonic separator core (20) that can be taken out and replaced as a whole.

2. The integrated and detachable supersonic separator according to claim 1, characterized in that , The swirl section (7) at the front end of the integrated supersonic separator core is axially positioned and sealed by a start-end positioning ring (15) on the front flange of the supersonic separator housing (1), and the end of the diffuser section (14) is axially positioned on the rear fixed flange flange by an end limiting forging ring (18).

3. The integrated and detachable supersonic separator according to claim 1, characterized in that , The fixed support plates (19) are evenly distributed at 60° - 90° along the circumferential direction of the diffuser section (14), and the fluid flow end is a pointed wedge cone shape.

4. A core-integrated detachable supersonic separator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that , The swirl section (7) includes a swirl housing (8), an elliptical spherical center cone (9), and swirl blades (10); the elliptical spherical center cone (9) is coaxially arranged with the swirl housing (8) and is placed inside the swirl housing (8). The start end of the swirl blade (10) is a conical surface structure and is spirally fixedly connected between the swirl housing (8) and the elliptical spherical center cone (9).

5. The integrated and detachable supersonic separator according to claim 1, characterized in that , The core integrated detachable supersonic separator includes a saturated gas phase inlet (21), a liquid phase outlet (22), and a dry gas outlet (23); the saturated gas phase inlet (21) is arranged at the front flange of the supersonic separator housing (1), and the liquid phase outlet (22) is opened on the supersonic separator housing (1) between the separation wing (13) and the diffuser section (14); the dry gas outlet (23) is arranged at the rear flange of the supersonic separator housing (1).

6. The integrated and detachable supersonic separator according to claim 5, characterized in that , A drain valve (24) is provided at the liquid phase outlet (22).

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