Supercharger-ejector system, method of capturing and recirculating leaked fluid

By combining an ejector and a leak booster, the problems of environmental pollution and energy waste in leak fluid treatment are solved, and efficient leak fluid recirculation and energy optimization are achieved.

CN120826560BActive Publication Date: 2026-04-07FLOWSERVE PTE LTD
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-01-31
Publication Date
2026-04-07

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing technologies for handling leaked fluids have problems such as releasing the leaked fluid into the environment, causing pollution, waste, or excessive energy costs, especially when the process fluid pressure changes.

Method used

The system employs an ejector system to capture leaking fluid, and then combines the ejector with a leak booster to recompress and circulate the leaking fluid back into the process fluid system. This utilizes the high pressure differential of the process fluid to achieve efficient capture and recirculation, and incorporates a modular throat design to adapt to different conditions.

Benefits of technology

It enables efficient capture and recycling of leaked fluid without wasting fluid or increasing energy consumption, reducing environmental pollution and lowering system complexity and cost.

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Abstract

A booster-ejector system captures and recirculates leaking fluid from a process. When the process pressure differential (head) is above a threshold, the ejector system uses kinetic fluid from the high-pressure (HP) region of the process to entrain and compress the leaking fluid, directing it to the low-pressure (LP) region. When the head is below the threshold, a controller reconfigures the piping system and activates a leak pump to pump the leaking fluid to the LP region. The system may include one or more ejectors, which may be coupled such that the diffuser output of each ejector is directed to the suction input of the next ejector. At least one of the ejectors may include a replaceable throat that imparts a rotational component to the fluid. The HP and LP regions may be the output and input of a compressor, respectively.
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Description

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 104,347, filed February 1, 2023, and U.S. Patent No. 11,835,183, which was granted on December 5, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to systems for treating leaked fluids, and more particularly to systems for recapturing and compressing leaked fluids. Background Technology

[0004] Systems that transport, compress, circulate, and / or store process fluids are typically susceptible to leakage. This may be due to the deterioration of joints, seals, or other components over time, and / or it may be inherent to the system's design. For example, face-mounted liquid mechanical seals or face-mounted dry gas mechanical seals are designed to always produce a small amount of leaking fluid due to the non-contact operation of the sealing faces.

[0005] Figure 1A presents a simplified example in which hydrocarbon gas or liquid (such as liquefied natural gas, LNG) evaporated at relatively low pressure flows into the inlet 100 of compressor 102. The pressurized gas is then delivered from the outlet 104 of compressor 102 to a gas distribution system or to a compressed gas container for transport to its final destination. In this simplified example, compressor 102 includes an impeller (not shown) mounted on a rotating shaft 106 driven by a motor 108. A dry gas seal 110 is provided to reduce gas leakage from compressor 102 along the rotating shaft 106. However, the dry gas seal 110 must allow a small amount of gas leakage, which is directed into a leak line 112. In similar cases, slow leakage may occur due to defective or worn joints or fittings.

[0006] For many applications, the release of small amounts of leaked process fluid (also referred to herein as “leaked fluid”) into the environment is acceptable and tolerable. For example, the system illustrated in Figure 1A only vents the leaked gas from leak line 112 to a “safe” location in the atmosphere.

[0007] However, in other applications, it is desirable to avoid even small leaks of process fluids, as these are toxic and / or harmful to the environment. In some of these cases, an inert "buffer" fluid at a higher pressure than the process fluid is applied to the location of the anticipated or potential leak, ensuring that any leak is the buffer fluid entering the process, rather than the process fluid entering the environment. An example is introducing pressurized nitrogen into the housing surrounding a dry gas seal at the end face. While this approach can be effective, it has the disadvantage of doping the process fluid with the buffer fluid. Furthermore, the requirement to provide the buffer gas increases the cost and complexity of the system by necessitating the provision and replenishment of a pressurized buffer gas source as needed.

[0008] In the case of hydrocarbon process fluids, another approach is to simply collect the leaked fluid and "burn" it—that is, burn it to convert any toxic hydrocarbons into water and carbon dioxide. However, this method has the disadvantage of wasting the leaked fluid. Furthermore, while carbon dioxide is non-toxic, it is an undesirable greenhouse gas whose release is harmful to the environment and may be subject to increasingly stringent government restrictions and regulations.

[0009] Referring to Figure 1B, another approach is to collect the leaked fluid, compress it using a secondary pump or compressor 114, and then reintroduce it into the process flow, for example, into the inlet 100 of the main compressor 102. In the illustrated example, the secondary compressor is a reciprocating booster 114, which can be a suitable choice for low pressure (below 25 psi) and low flow rate (below 4 SCFM) and is less prone to leakage compared to a rotary booster. This method has the advantages of not wasting leaked fluid and simultaneously not introducing it into the environment in any form. However, when the leakage rate is low, the energy cost of operating the pump or compressor may be too high.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need for a system and method for treating leaked fluids that reduces or avoids the release of the leaked fluid or its combustion products into the environment while minimizing energy costs. Summary of the Invention

[0011] This invention relates to systems and methods for recapturing and recirculating leaked fluids while reducing or preventing the release of the leaked fluid or its combustion products into the environment and minimizing energy costs. The invention is applicable to systems in which process fluids are present at both higher and lower pressures, such as systems comprising compressors that compress process fluids such that the compressor has a relatively low-pressure fluid input and a relatively high-pressure fluid output.

[0012] It will be noted that this document sometimes refers to systems that compress and capture, and recirculate, leaked amounts of gas (such as natural gas) to present examples and descriptions. However, it should be understood that, unless the context otherwise requires, this disclosure is equally applicable to systems where the process fluid is a liquid. Examples of leaked fluid generated by a compressor, such as by shaft seals, fittings, or joints within the compressor, are given herein. However, it should be understood that, in general, the invention is applicable to the recapture and recirculation of leaked process fluid generated by any leak source, provided that a higher pressure source of the process fluid is available, and another location where the process fluid exists at a lower pressure.

[0013] According to the invention, the ejector is implemented as a primary capture mechanism for capturing and recompressing leaking fluid. A higher-pressure fluid (e.g., compressor output) is provided as the "moving fluid" for the ejector, while the ejector's suction inlet is connected to the source of the leaking fluid. The ejector is then used to draw in the leaking fluid entrained in the moving fluid, after which the mixture of the moving fluid and the leaking fluid (referred to herein as the "process fluid mixture") is compressed in the diffuser section of the ejector and delivered to a location where the process fluid is at a lower pressure, such as to the compressor inlet.

[0014] This method is highly energy efficient because the ejector is simple in design and consumes no electricity. Due to the low flow rate of the leaking fluid and the low flow required by the moving fluid, the system efficiency suffers only a negligible loss as the high-pressure fluid is redirected to the ejector.

[0015] Of course, the ejector's ability to apply suction to draw in leaking fluid and compress it for reintroduction into the process depends on establishing a significant pressure difference, or "head," between the fluid inlet and the diffuser outlet. Therefore, if the supply of high-pressure process fluid is interrupted, the ejector will no longer be able to capture leaking fluid. For example, if the high-pressure process fluid is drawn from the compressor outlet, the ejector will not function when the compressor is not fully operational, either because the compressor operates intermittently, operating only slowly (e.g., during startup, preparation for shutdown, or in standby mode), or because the compressor has stopped during maintenance.

[0016] One possibility is to redirect the kinetic fluid input and / or diffuser output to an alternative location within the process. For example, if multiple compressors are implemented in the process, the output of a second compressor can be redirected to the kinetic fluid input of the ejector if the first compressor is temporarily out of service. However, it is not possible to guarantee that a high-pressure source of the process fluid will always be available. To this end, the system of the present invention also includes a leak compressor or pump as a secondary capture mechanism, referred to herein as a "leak booster". When no high-pressure process fluid source is available, a remotely operated valve is triggered by the controller to redirect the leaking fluid from the ejector to the leak booster, and power is applied to the leak booster to capture the leaking fluid and recirculate it to the compressor input or to another destination within the process.

[0017] During normal operation, when the injector is fully operational, no power is supplied to the leakage booster; that is, the leakage booster is shut down, so the system does not consume electricity. Therefore, when high-pressure process fluid is unavailable, only the present invention consumes power, which is uncommon in many applications and has a relatively short duration.

[0018] When leaking fluid enters the ejector, it is typically under low pressure due to its expansion after leaking through seals, joints, fittings, or other structures. This pressure is further reduced by the suction of the ejector. Similarly, as the moving fluid accelerates through the throat of the ejector, its pressure decreases significantly. Therefore, it is necessary to significantly compress the process fluid mixture to a pressure higher than the compressor inlet fluid pressure or other "lower pressure" locations. Otherwise, there would be a tendency for the process fluid to flow in the opposite direction from the compressor inlet or other "lower pressure" locations into the ejector diffuser.

[0019] In one embodiment, if a single ejector cannot sufficiently compress the process fluid mixture, a second ejector is implemented, whereby the output of the first ejector is directed to the suction input of the second ejector, and thus a higher-pressure process fluid is provided as the kinetic fluid for both the first and second ejectors. If desired, the method can be extended to three or more ejectors.

[0020] The embodiment further increases the efficiency of the ejector by implementing a "cyclone" technique, which imparts rotational motion to the moving gas as it flows through the ejector. This method is used to increase the local velocity of the moving fluid when it mixes with the leaking fluid, while simultaneously preventing the fluid mixture from flowing longitudinally through the diffuser. As a result, the pressure at the ejector's suction inlet is maintained or reduced, while the pressure of the fluid mixture at the ejector's outlet increases.

[0021] In many cases, embodiments of the present invention for different specific applications require optimized throat design in terms of its inlet diameter, nozzle contraction, etc. Often, the diffuser and other components of the injector are satisfactory for a wide range of operating conditions, requiring only modifications to the throat. It is also possible that the injector throat becomes worn, damaged, or clogged, while the rest of the injector remains undamaged. Therefore, embodiments of the present invention incorporate "modular" injectors that include replaceable throats. This approach allows for the maintenance of a relatively small number of injectors in stock as anticipated customer needs arise, requiring only a larger quantity of replaceable throats. Whenever it becomes necessary to configure a system for a new customer or to refit an already deployed system to new operating conditions, only the optimal throat needs to be selected and installed into a otherwise "universal" injector design. Similarly, if the injector throat becomes worn, damaged, or clogged, the throat can be easily replaced without removing the entire injector from the system, and only a spare throat, rather than the entire spare injector, is needed.

[0022] A first general aspect of the invention is a booster-ejector system configured to capture and recirculate leaking fluid as it escapes from a process fluid, the process fluid comprising a higher pressure (HP) region typically containing process fluid at higher pressures and a lower pressure (LP) region typically containing process fluid at lower pressures. The system includes an ejector system (ES) having an ES moving fluid inlet, an ES leaking fluid inlet, and an ES fluid mixture outlet. The ejector system includes a first ejector (FE) having an FE moving fluid inlet connected to the ES moving fluid inlet, an FE suction inlet connected to the ES leaking fluid inlet, an FE mixing chamber, and an FE diffuser. The first ejector is configured to draw leaking fluid into the FE mixing chamber through the FE suction inlet, receive moving fluid into the FE mixing chamber through the FE moving fluid inlet, entrain leaking fluid within the moving fluid, and compress the resulting fluid mixture as it exits the first ejector through the FE diffuser.

[0023] The system also includes a first throat, an electrically driven leak fluid booster, and a controller. The first throat is located within the FE mixing chamber, through which the moving fluid is directed as it flows into the FE mixing chamber. The first throat includes a constriction nozzle configured to accelerate the flow velocity of the moving fluid as it flows through the first throat. The electrically driven leak fluid booster has a booster inlet and a booster outlet and is configured to pump the leak fluid to the LP region. The controller is configured to control the leak fluid pump and piping system based on the process fluid pressure difference between the HP region and the LP region (referred to herein as the "head" of the ejector), such that when the ejector head exceeds a specified value, the leak fluid pump does not consume power and the leak fluid flows through the ejector system to the LP region, and when the ejector head is below a specified value, the leak fluid pump operates to pump the leak fluid to the LP region.

[0024] In one embodiment, the first injector is configured such that the first throat can be replaced by the second throat.

[0025] In any of the above embodiments, the first throat can be configured to impart a rotational motion component to the moving fluid as the moving fluid flows out of the first throat.

[0026] In any of the above embodiments, the leakage fluid pump can be a reciprocating pump.

[0027] In any of the above embodiments, the HP region and the LP region can be the input and output sections of the fluid compressor, respectively.

[0028] In any of the above embodiments, the ejector system may further include a second ejector, wherein the motion fluid input of the second ejector is connected to the ES motion fluid input, the suction input of the second ejector is connected to the FE diffuser, and the diffuser of the second ejector is in fluid communication with the ES fluid mixture output.

[0029] In any of the above embodiments, the controller may be further configured to control the injector head.

[0030] A second general aspect of the invention is a method for capturing and recirculating leaked fluid when it escapes from a process fluid, the process fluid comprising a higher pressure (HP) region generally containing process fluid at higher pressures and a lower pressure (LP) region generally containing process fluid at lower pressures. The method includes providing a booster-ejector system according to any embodiment of the first general aspect, determining, via a controller, a process fluid pressure difference between the HP and LP regions, the process fluid pressure difference referred to herein as the "head" of the ejector, configuring, via the controller and piping system of the leaked fluid booster in a first mode when the ejector head exceeds a specified value, wherein in the first mode the leaked fluid pump does not consume power and the leaked fluid flows through the ejector system to the LP region, and configuring, via the controller and piping system of the leaked fluid booster in a second mode when the compressor head drops below a specified value, the leaked fluid booster operates to pump the leaked fluid to the LP region.

[0031] The embodiment also includes replacing the first larynx with a second larynx.

[0032] In any of the above embodiments, the first throat may be configured to impart a rotational motion component to the moving fluid as the moving fluid flows out of the first throat.

[0033] In any of the above embodiments, the leakage fluid booster can be a reciprocating booster.

[0034] In any of the above embodiments, the HP region and the LP region can be the input and output sections of the fluid compressor, respectively.

[0035] In any of the above embodiments, the ejector system may further include a second ejector, wherein the motion fluid input of the second ejector is connected to the ES motion fluid input, the suction input of the second ejector is connected to the FE diffuser, and the diffuser of the second ejector is in fluid communication with the ES fluid mixture output.

[0036] Any of the embodiments described above may include a pressure head of the injector controlled by a controller.

[0037] Furthermore, in any of the above embodiments, providing a booster-ejector system may include: providing a first ejector housing, the first ejector housing including a first ejector motion fluid inlet, a first ejector suction inlet, a first ejector mixing chamber, and a first ejector diffuser; selecting a throat suitable for the operating conditions of the process fluid; and installing the throat within the ejector housing, thereby providing a first ejector of the booster-ejector system.

[0038] The features and advantages described herein are not exhaustive, and specifically, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the accompanying drawings, description, and claims. Furthermore, it should be noted that the language used in this specification has been chosen primarily for readability and instructional purposes, and not to limit the scope of the subject matter. Attached Figure Description

[0039] Figure 1A is a simplified illustration of leaked gas discharged from the compressor according to existing technology;

[0040] Figure 1B is a simplified illustration of leaked gas recirculated to the compressor inlet via a leak pump according to the prior art;

[0041] Figure 2 The illustration shows the recirculation of leaked fluid to the compressor inlet via an injector according to a partial embodiment of the invention;

[0042] Figure 3 The illustration shows an embodiment of the invention comprising only one injector combined with a controller and a leakage fluid pump.

[0043] Figure 4 An embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, comprising an injector system including two injectors combined with a controller and a leakage booster.

[0044] Figure 5A This is a scaled cross-sectional view of an injector including a replaceable throat with a cyclone fluid outlet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 5B It is drawn to scale. Figure 5A A three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the injector;

[0046] Figure 5C It is drawn to scale. Figure 5A and Figure 5B Exploded perspective view of an embodiment;

[0047] Figure 5D yes Figures 5A to 5C A scaled-down 3D rendering of the throat; and

[0048] Figure 6 This is a scaled cross-sectional view of an injector system including three injectors according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0049] This invention relates to systems and methods for recapturing and recirculating leaked fluids while simultaneously reducing or preventing the release of leaked fluids or their combustion products into the environment and minimizing energy costs. The invention is applicable to systems in which process fluids are present at both higher and lower pressures, such as systems comprising compressors that compress process fluids such that the compressor has a relatively low-pressure fluid input and a relatively high-pressure fluid output.

[0050] It will be noted that this document sometimes refers to systems that compress and capture, and recirculate, leaked amounts of gas (such as natural gas) to present examples and descriptions. However, it should be understood that, unless the context otherwise requires, this disclosure is equally applicable to systems where the process fluid is a liquid. Examples of leaked fluid generated by a compressor, such as by shaft seals, fittings, or joints within the compressor, are given herein. However, it should be understood that, in general, the invention is applicable to the recapture and recirculation of leaked process fluid generated by any leak source, provided that a higher pressure source of the process fluid is available, and another location where the process fluid exists at a lower pressure.

[0051] refer to Figure 2 According to the invention, the ejector 200 is implemented as a primary capture mechanism for capturing and recompressing leaked fluid. In the illustrated example, process fluid from the output 104 of the compressor 102 is supplied to the "moving fluid" input 202 of the ejector 200, while the suction input 204 of the ejector 200 is connected to the source 110 of the leaked fluid. The ejector 200 is then used to draw in the leaked fluid entrained in the moving fluid, after which the mixture of the moving fluid and the leaked fluid (referred to herein as the "process fluid mixture") is compressed in the diffuser section 206 of the ejector and returned to a location with a lower process fluid pressure, which in the illustrated example is the compressor input.

[0052] This method is highly energy efficient because the ejector 200 is simple in design, has no moving parts, and consumes no electricity. Due to the low flow rate of the leaking fluid and the low flow rate required for the moving fluid that follows, the efficiency of the compressor 102 suffers only negligible loss as a small amount of output fluid is redirected to the ejector 200.

[0053] certainly, Figure 2The ability of the ejector to apply suction to draw in leaking fluid and compress it for reintroduction into the input 100 of the compressor 102 depends on establishing a significant pressure difference, or "head," between the compressor input 100 and output 104. Therefore, when the compressor 102 is not fully operational, leaks may still occur, either because the compressor 102 operates intermittently, operating only slowly (e.g., during startup, preparation for shutdown, or in standby mode), or because the compressor 102 has stopped during maintenance, but the ejector 200 will not be able to capture the leak.

[0054] One possibility is to redirect the fluid inlet 202 and / or diffuser outlet 206 of the ejector 200 to an alternative location in the process. For example, if multiple compressors 102 are implemented in the process, the output of a second compressor could be redirected to the fluid inlet 202 of the ejector 200 if the first compressor 102 is temporarily out of service. However, it is impossible to ensure that a high-pressure source of the process fluid will always be available.

[0055] For this reason, refer to Figure 3 The system of the present invention also includes a leakage compressor or pump 300 as a secondary capture mechanism, referred to herein as a "leakage booster" 300. This is used when a source of high-pressure process fluid is unavailable, for example when... Figure 3 When the compressor 102 is not fully operational, the remotely operated valve 302 is actuated by the controller 304 to redirect the leaking fluid from the ejector 200 to the leak pump 300, and power is applied to the leak booster 300 to capture the leaking fluid and return it to the input section 100 of the compressor 102.

[0056] During normal operation, when Figure 3 When the compressor 102 and injector 200 are in full operation, power is not directed to the leakage booster 300; that is, the leakage pump 300 is shut down, so the system consumes no electricity. Therefore, during the period when the compressor 102 is not in full operation, electricity is only supplied by... Figure 3 The consumption of this embodiment is uncommon in many applications and has a relatively short duration. Figure 3 In one embodiment, the controller 304 for actuating the control valve 302 and opening and closing the leakage booster 300 is coordinated with or controlled by the operation of the compressor 102, so that the system automatically switches between the injector 200 and the leakage pump 300 according to the operating mode of the compressor 102.

[0057] When the leaking fluid enters the ejector inlet 204, it is typically under low pressure due to its expansion after leaking through the seal or other structure 110. This pressure is further reduced by the suction of the ejector 200. Similarly, as the moving fluid accelerates through the throat of the ejector 200, the pressure of the moving fluid decreases significantly. Therefore, significant compression of the process fluid mixture is required so that when the process fluid mixture reaches the inlet 100 of the compressor 102, the process fluid mixture will be above the process fluid pressure. Additionally, in Figure 3 In some embodiments, there is a tendency for process fluid to flow from the inlet 100 of the compressor 102 into the diffuser 206 of the ejector 200 in the opposite direction.

[0058] refer to Figure 4 In an embodiment, if a single ejector 200 cannot sufficiently increase the pressure of the process fluid mixture, a second ejector 400 is implemented, whereby the output of the first ejector 200 is directed to the suction input 404 of the second ejector 400, and thus the process fluid from the high-pressure source (e.g., in...) is... Figure 3 Fluid from the output 104 of compressor 102 is supplied to the motion fluid inlets 202, 402 of both the first ejector 200 and the second ejector 400. The output of the diffuser 406 of the second ejector 400 is then directed to the inlet 100 of compressor 102. In an embodiment, multiple ejectors 200, 400 are combined within an ejector "system" 408, which receives fluid from a high-pressure process fluid source (such as the outlet 104 of compressor 102) into the system motion fluid inlet 410, allows leaking fluid to pass through the system leaking fluid inlet 412, and directs the mixed motion fluid and leaking fluid from the system fluid mixture outlet 414 to the inlet 100 of compressor 102. The method can be extended to three or more ejectors if desired.

[0059] Figure 5A and Figure 5B These are cross-sectional side views and perspective views of the injector 200 in an embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen in the drawings, both the kinetic fluid inlet 202 and the leakage fluid inlet 204 lead to the "suction chamber" 500 of the injector 200, in which the two gases are mixed, and subsequently accelerated and pressurized within the diffuser section 206 of the injector 200. Specifically, the kinetic fluid inlet 202 guides the kinetic fluid through a "throat" 502 included within the mixing chamber 500.

[0060] In many cases, embodiments of the invention for different specific applications require design optimization of the throat 502 in terms of its inlet diameter, nozzle contraction, etc. Typically, the diffuser 206 and other components of the injector 200 are satisfactory for a wide range of operating conditions, requiring only modification to the throat 502. It is also possible that the throat 502 of the injector 200 becomes worn, damaged, or clogged, while the rest of the injector 200 remains undamaged.

[0061] Therefore, refer to Figure 5C The exploded perspective view shows that embodiments of the invention incorporate a “modular” injector 200, which includes a replaceable throat 502. This method allows for the maintenance of a relatively small number of injectors 200 in stock as anticipated customer needs arise, where only a larger quantity of replaceable throats 502 are required. Whenever it is necessary to configure a system for a new customer or to refit an already deployed system to new operating conditions, only the optimal throat 502 needs to be selected and installed into a otherwise “universal” injector design. Similarly, if the throat 502 of the injector 200 becomes worn, damaged, or clogged, the throat can be easily replaced without removing the entire injector 200 from the system, and only a spare throat 502 is needed instead of the entire spare injector 200.

[0062] Figure 5D yes Figures 5A-5C An enlarged perspective view of the throat 502. As can be seen in the figure, the throat 502 terminates at a confined "nozzle" 504. The illustrated embodiment further increases the efficiency of the ejector 202 by implementing a "cyclone" technique through the inclusion of an additional circulating fluid outlet 506, which imparts rotational motion to the moving gas as it exits the throat 502. This method is used to increase the local velocity of the moving fluid when it mixes with the leaking fluid, while simultaneously preventing longitudinal flow of the fluid mixture through the diffuser 206. As a result, the pressure at the suction inlet 202 of the ejector 200 is maintained or reduced, while the pressure of the fluid mixture at the outlet of the ejector 200 increases.

[0063] As referenced above Figure 4 The embodiments of the present invention include a plurality of injectors 200 operating in series to achieve adequate pressurization of the mixture of moving gas and leaking fluid before the mixture is re-injected into the inlet 100 of the compressor 102 or into another location with a lower pressure process fluid. Figure 6 The illustration shows a single injector system 600 including three injectors in an embodiment of the invention.

[0064] For purposes of illustration and description, the foregoing description of embodiments of the invention has been presented. Each page of this submission and all contents thereon (however characterized, identified, or numbered) are considered an essential part of this application for all purposes, regardless of their form or location within this application. This specification is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible according to this disclosure.

[0065] Although this application is illustrated in a limited number of forms, the scope of the invention is not limited to these forms and is subject to various changes and modifications. The disclosure presented herein does not explicitly disclose all possible combinations of features falling within the scope of this invention. Features disclosed herein for various embodiments are generally interchangeable and combined into any non-contradictory combination without departing from the scope of the invention. Specifically, unless the dependent claims are logically incompatible with each other, the limitations given in the following dependent claims may be combined with their corresponding independent claims in any number and in any order without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A booster-ejector system configured to capture and recirculate leaking fluid when it escapes from a process fluid, the process fluid comprising a higher pressure region containing process fluid at a higher pressure and a lower pressure region containing process fluid at a lower pressure, the system comprising: An injector system having an injector system kinetic fluid inlet, an injector system leak fluid inlet, and an injector system fluid mixture outlet, the injector system including a first injector having a first injector kinetic fluid inlet connected to the injector system kinetic fluid inlet, a first injector suction inlet connected to the injector system leak fluid inlet, a first injector mixing chamber, and a first injector diffuser; the first injector is configured to draw the leak fluid into the first injector mixing chamber through the first injector suction inlet, to receive kinetic fluid into the first injector mixing chamber through the first injector kinetic fluid inlet, to entrain the leak fluid within the kinetic fluid, and to compress the resulting fluid mixture when the resulting fluid mixture exits the first injector through the first injector diffuser; A first throat, the first throat including a first injector mixing chamber, the moving fluid being guided through the first throat as it flows into the first injector mixing chamber, the first throat including a constricting nozzle configured to accelerate the flow velocity of the moving fluid as it flows through the first throat. An electrically driven leak fluid booster having a booster inlet and a booster outlet, the leak fluid booster being configured to pump the leak fluid to the lower pressure region; as well as A controller is configured to control the leak fluid booster and piping system based on a process fluid pressure difference between a higher pressure region and a lower pressure region of the process fluid, the process fluid pressure difference being the "head" of the ejector, such that when the head of the ejector exceeds a specified value, the leak fluid pump does not consume power and the leak fluid flows through the ejector system to the lower pressure region, and when the head of the ejector is below the specified value, the leak fluid booster operates to pump the leak fluid to the lower pressure region.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The first injector is configured such that the first throat can be replaced by the second throat.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The first throat is configured to impart a rotational component of motion to the moving fluid as the moving fluid flows out of the first throat.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The leaking fluid booster is a reciprocating pump.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The higher pressure region and the lower pressure region are the input and output sections of the fluid compressor, respectively.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The ejector system further includes a second ejector, wherein the motion fluid input of the second ejector is connected to the motion fluid input of the ejector system, the suction input of the second ejector is connected to the first ejector diffuser, and the diffuser of the second ejector is in fluid communication with the fluid mixture output of the ejector system.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The controller is also configured to control the pressure head of the injector.

8. A method for capturing and recirculating leaking fluid when it escapes from a process fluid, the process fluid comprising a higher pressure region containing process fluid at a higher pressure and a lower pressure region containing process fluid at a lower pressure, the method comprising: Provide a turbocharger-injector system as claimed in claim 1; The controller determines the process fluid pressure difference between the higher and lower pressure regions of the process fluid, and the process fluid pressure difference is the "head" of the injector. When the pressure head of the injector exceeds a specified value, the leak fluid booster is configured in a first mode via the controller of the leak fluid booster and the piping system. In the first mode, the leak fluid booster does not consume electricity, and the leak fluid flows through the injector system to the lower pressure region. as well as When the compressor head drops below the specified value, the leak fluid booster is configured in a second mode via the controller of the leak fluid booster and the piping system, in which the leak fluid booster operates to pump the leak fluid to the lower pressure region.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising replacing the first larynx with a second larynx.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The first throat is configured to impart a rotational component of motion to the moving fluid as the moving fluid flows out of the first throat.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The leaking fluid booster is a reciprocating booster.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The higher pressure region and the lower pressure region are the input and output sections of the fluid compressor, respectively.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The ejector system further includes a second ejector, wherein the motion fluid input of the second ejector is connected to the motion fluid input of the ejector system, the suction input of the second ejector is connected to the first ejector diffuser, and the diffuser of the second ejector is in fluid communication with the fluid mixture output of the ejector system.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising controlling the pressure head of the injector via the controller.

15. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The supercharger-injector system includes: A first injector housing is provided, the first injector housing including a first injector motion fluid inlet, a first injector suction inlet, a first injector mixing chamber, and a first injector diffuser; Select a throat suitable for the operating conditions of the process fluid; and The throat is installed within the injector housing, thereby providing the first injector of the turbocharger-injector system.

Citation Information

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