Wear, leak and temperature controlled hydraulic gas pressure booster

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hydraulic type gas pressure booster to provide wear, leakage and temperature controlled compression of gases. In the gas pressure booster of the present invention, the temperature can be controlled, leaks can be detected in advance and a warning can be given, or the operation of the gas pressure booster can be stopped.

Description

[0001] WEAR, LEAK AND TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED HYDRAULIC GAS PRESSURE BOOSTER

[0002] Technological Field:

[0003] The present invention relates to a hydraulic type gas pressure booster to provide wear, leakage and temperature controlled compression of gases.

[0004] State of the Art:

[0005] Compressed gases are one of the basic requirements in industrial processes. It is necessary to use high-pressure gas in many different areas such as pet blowing in the plastic industry, ensuring the first engine movement in the maritime industry, laser cutting in the metal industry, coating techniques in the wood and glass industry, and high-pressure oxygen supply in chemical treatment plants. High pressure gases can be produced through air compressors such as screw and piston, which use compressed and increased pressure air or gas mixture. The equipment used to increase the incoming air pressure in existing compression systems through additional compression stages is called a gas pressure booster (booster compressor). Gas pressure boosters can increase the pressure between 7 and 10 bars up to 35 - 40 bars. It is essential to use this type of pressure boosters so as to obtain the high gas pressures required in industrial facilities.

[0006] In the state of the art, gases are compressed with various methods and equipment that have been used for decades. Hydraulic type gas pressure boosters are one of them. There are some factors to consider during the gas compression process. In exceptional cases, depending on the type of gas, these critical factors may be of vital importance. These factors are detailed below. During gas compression, the enthalpy of the compressed gas increases. This increase in enthalpy causes the temperature of the gas to increase. If the heat retention capacity of the gas, that is, its specific heat, is high, the temperature increase may not be that effective. For example, when air and hydrogen are compressed to 100 bars, they heat up to 800 degrees, and when helium is compressed to 100 bars, it heats up to 1500 degrees. When the temperature of the system increases, the materials used in the gas pressure booster system may be damaged. (Strength of pistons, strength of seals, etc.) These deteriorations can cause leaks. The main gases aimed to be compressed in the present invention are hydrogen and helium. These gases tend to increase their temperature during compression. For this reason, various precautions must be taken to prevent possible leaks.

[0007] In gas pressure boosters, if the gas used in the system is ideal gas or a gas close to ideal gas, compression will cause the pressure to increase as the cylinder volume decreases. This will create a higher pressure in the system. High pressure can also cause leaks.

[0008] Some gases to be compressed in gas pressure boosters are sensitive, corrosive or toxic. For these gases, materials must be selected to withstand high pressure. The main gases aimed to be compressed in the present invention are hydrogen and helium. Hydrogen has adverse effects on materials in contact. Hydrogen can create a brittle effect on the materials used and cause damage to the materials.

[0009] Some gases that are compressed in gas pressure boosters also have toxic, explosive and dangerous effects. Hydrogen, one of the gases aimed to be compressed by the invention, has an explosive effect. If gas leaks from a pressure booster, gas may accumulate around it and pose a risk of explosion. If the gas is toxic, leaking into the environment can have dangerous effects on people around. There are also conditions independent of the gas used in the gas compression process. For example, wear can be observed on the seals around the pistons inside the gas pressure booster. Wear observed over time leads to a decrease in compression performance.

[0010] Hose connections and fittings used in gas pressure boosters may become deformed during long-term operation and cause leakage. Duty operators may forget to check and this may lead to leaks.

[0011] The target of the invention subject to the description is the helium and hydrogen compression and recovery operation. In the recovery process, the gas pressure boosters run, stop for a while and then run again. This puts extra load on the compression cycle. The gas pressure booster subject to the description is also stopped and started again.

[0012] In the Korean patent document numbered KR102115454B1 encountered in the literature search, a hydraulic gas pressure booster for gas compression is described. In the described system, a cooling supply line for cooling the gas pressure booster is seen to be present, but cooling jackets are not used as in the disclosed invention. For this reason, the cooling efficiency of the system described in the patent document numbered KR102115454B1 is thought to be low. Further, system leakage values were not controlled in any cooling application applied, and then the wear condition was not controlled using this method.

[0013] As a result, there is a need for a hydraulic gas pressure booster that exceeds the state of the art and eliminates its disadvantages.

[0014] Brief Description of the Invention: The invention is a hydraulic gas pressure booster which exceeds the state of the art, eliminates the disadvantages and has some additional features.

[0015] The hydraulic gas pressure booster is equipment that contains an oil cylinder on one side and a gas cylinder on the other side, pressurizing the gas in the gas cylinder by providing oil and gas balance with the pistons in the cylinders.

[0016] The aim of the present invention is to provide a system that removes the heat generated by the compression of gas and oil by placing a cooling jacket around the oil cylinder and gas cylinder.

[0017] Another aim of the present invention is to provide a system that detects gas leaks that may occur in the environment, cooling system or hydraulic system and warns at levels determined by the operator.

[0018] With the present invention, the temperature of the gas pressure booster can be controlled and leaks can be detected and warned in advance. Furthermore, materials resistant to hydrogen brittleness were used in the production of the gas pressure booster. Since the temperature is controlled, wear or deformation of equipment such as seals, fittings, and hose connections can be prevented.

[0019] Description of the Figures:

[0020] The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, thus the characteristics of the invention will be understood clearly. However, the aim of this is not to limit the invention with such certain embodiments. On the contrary, it is aimed to cover all alternatives, amendments and equivalents which may be contained in the field defined by the accompanying claims. It is to be understood that the details shown are only shown for the sake of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the present invention and presented for both illustrating the methods and for providing description of the rules of the invention and the conceptual features of the invention to be easily understood. In these figures;

[0021] Figure- 1 General view of the inventive gas pressure booster.

[0022] Figure- 2 View showing the inventive gas pressure booster with cooling system.

[0023] Figure- 3 View showing the leak detection system of the inventive gas pressure booster.

[0024] Figure- 4 View showing the connection type of cylinders and plates of the inventive gas pressure booster.

[0025] Figure- 5 Representative view showing the filters and sensors in the gas line of the inventive gas pressure booster.

[0026] The figures which enable to clarify this invention are enumerated as mentioned in the attached figure and they are given with their names herein below.

[0027] Description of the References:

[0028] 1. Gas plate

[0029] 2. Gas piston

[0030] 3. Gas cylinder

[0031] 4. Gas cooling jacket

[0032] 5. Shaft

[0033] 6. Middle plate

[0034] 7. Oil piston

[0035] 8. Oil cylinder

[0036] 9. Oil cooling jacket

[0037] 10. Oil plate

[0038] 11. Oil supply line

[0039] 12. Oil tank

[0040] 13. Hydraulic system

[0041] 14. Gas jacket fluid supply line 15. Gas jacket fluid collection line

[0042] 16. Oil jacket fluid supply line

[0043] 17. Oil jacket fluid collection line

[0044] 18. Coolant tank

[0045] 19. Cooling system

[0046] 20. Gas collection line

[0047] 21. Gas supply line

[0048] 22. Fluid tank control line

[0049] 23. Oil tank control line

[0050] 24. Medium control line

[0051] 25. Control system

[0052] 26.Sealing element

[0053] 27. Filter

[0054] 28. Sensor

[0055] Description of the Invention:

[0056] In this detailed description, the inventive gas pressure booster is described by means of examples only for clarifying the subject matter such that no limiting effect is created.

[0057] In Figure 1 , the view of the inventive gas pressure booster (1 ) is given. A classical gas pressure booster (1 ) comprises a gas cylinder (3) in which the gas is compressed and an oil cylinder (8) containing the hydraulic oil used to compress the gas. The gas cylinder (3) is limited by the gas plate (1 ) on one side and the middle plate (6) on the other side, and it contains the gas it includes from any source in its volume. The oil cylinder (8) is limited at one end by the middle plate (6) and at the other end by the oil plate (10). The remaining volume inside contains hydraulic oil fluid. While there is a gas piston (2) in the gas cylinder (3) that compresses the gas, there is an oil piston (7) in the oil cylinder (8) that pressurizes the oil. The oil piston (7) and the gas piston (2) are connected to each other with the help of a shaft (5). Thus, when the oil pressure increases, the oil piston (7) moves, and since this movement is transmitted to the gas piston (2) together with the shaft (5), the gas piston (2) also moves and pressurizes the gas in the gas cylinder (3). Hydraulic oil liquid is supplied to the oil cylinder (8) from the oil tank (12) via the oil supply line (11 ). The oil tank (12) is controlled by a hydraulic system (13) and hydraulic oil is supplied to the oil cylinder (8) as needed or in accordance with the general system parameters. The part of the invention up to this point is found in all conventional hydraulic type gas pressure boosters. A distinctive feature of the present invention is that it comprises a gas cooling jacket (4) on the outer wall of the gas cylinder (3) and an oil cooling jacket (9) on the outer wall of the oil cylinder (8).

[0058] In the invention, the gas cooling jacket (4) is a cooling element in which the coolant circulates. Distilled water is used as the coolant in the present invention. The gas cooling jacket (4) cools the gas cylinder (3) regularly, keeping its temperature below 50 °C and the temperature of the gas compressed in it below 250 °C. Therefore, damage to gaskets and similar equipment that will be affected by temperature is prevented and the service life of the gas pressure booster is extended.

[0059] In the present invention, the oil cooling jacket (9) is a cooling element in which the coolant circulates. Again, distilled water is used as the coolant therein. The oil cooling jacket (9) regularly cools the oil cylinder (8) and keeps its temperature below 50 °C. Therefore, the hydraulic oil is prevented from expanding and evaporating with heat, and efficient use of the hydraulic system (13) is ensured.

[0060] Figure 2 shows the cooling method of the inventive gas pressure booster. Water is used as the coolant in the present invention. The fluid in the coolant tank (18) is supplied to the gas cooling jacket (4) via the gas jacket fluid supply line (14) and taken back via the gas jacket fluid collection line (15). Likewise, the fluid in the coolant tank (18) is fed to the gas cooling jacket (4) via the oil jacket fluid supply line (16), and is taken back via the oil jacket fluid collection line (17). The coolant line (18) is controlled by the cooling system (19) and the coolant therein is cooled regularly. The cooling system (19) includes a small gas compressor, gas tank, heat exchanger and the management group of the system This system is similar to a coolant unit as in an air conditioning unit.

[0061] In the invention, the gas pressurized in the gas cylinder (3) can be taken from any source. This is illustrated in Figure 3. The gas is taken into the gas cylinder (3) from any source via the gas supply line (21 ) and can be directed to any outlet via the gas collection line (20) when needed. In the present invention, there are various equipment that controls and filters oil, humidity and similar variables in the gas supply line (21) and gas collection line (20). The gas lines (20, 21 ) may have extra filters (27) equipped with extra sensors. As seen in Figure 5, filter sets may vary according to need. The presence of moisture or oil vapor is generally undesirable in helium or oxygen operations. For this reason, a moisture filter, an inlet level oil filter and an activated carbon filter for particles are installed. Sensors are then optionally installed to detect oil and water content to verify that the line is free of oil vapor and moisture. Said sensor (28) and filter (27) may vary according to need or demand. For example, various particulate filters can be used in the invention. Particulate filters remove pollutants. This reduces the risk of scratching the cylinder surfaces. Extra filters (27) can be used if extra performance is needed at high purity levels or if different contaminants are removed. At the same time, the sensors (28) can compare the concentration at the inlet and outlet and provide information about the status of the filters (27). At the same time, the amount of oil accumulation on the first sensor (28) over time can provide information about oil leakage into the system. This can also be considered as a maintenance notification.

[0062] One of the most important points of the invention is the ability to check whether there is any gas leakage. The invention uses a control system (25) for this purpose. The control system (25) comprises sensors (28) that measure the gas level and activate a warning mechanism if the gas level is higher than the amount entered into the system as a parameter. If there is a system shutdown command above a certain level, the control system (25) stops the operation of the gas pressure booster. The control system (25) controls the amount of gas in the air in the space inside the coolant tank (18) via the fluid tank control line

[0063] (22). During cooling, there is a possibility of gas mixing in the cooling lines. In this case, the gas will accumulate in the coolant tank (18). This situation can be detected with the invention. Again, the control system (25) can control the gas level in the air in the space above the oil tank (12) via the oil tank control line

[0064] (23). In gas pressure boosters, gas leakage from the gas cylinder (3) to the oil cylinder (8) is possible. With the invention, this situation can be detected in advance by checking the oil tank (12). In the invention, the gas level of the environment in which the gas pressure booster is used is also controlled by the environment control line (24). In this way, it can be determined whether there is a gas leak in the working environment.

[0065] The source of leaks can be determined with the control system (25) in the invention, thus it is possible to learn which maintenance and repair actions should be taken in the gas pressure booster. For example, when a high level of gas is detected in the oil tank (12), it is understood that there is gas leakage from the gas cylinder (3) to the oil cylinder (8). In this case, the sealing elements (26) in the middle plate (6) can be checked and replaced with new ones. The control system is therefore of great importance in the invention.

[0066] The issue of sealing is of vital importance in the invention. Because hydrogen gas, one of the gases intended to be used, is an explosive gas. Different gases can also be used to be compressed in the invention. These gases can be poisonous or harmful to human health. Therefore, leaks must be prevented. In the invention, some precautions have been taken for this purpose. For this purpose, sealing elements (26) are used in every plane where the plates (1 , 6, 10) and cylinders (3, 8) contact each other. Figure 4 shows the sealing elements (26) mentioned here. The present invention further comprises at least one tank which is controlled so that the system does not leak compressed gas into the environment in any way, and which is designed to collect all gases which may escape from the system.

[0067] There is no limitation regarding material selection in the invention. Here, the basic functions of the invention described above are more important than the choice of material. The main reason for this is that the material used must also change depending on the pressure change and the gas to be used. This is a design requirement. Up to medium pressures, the plates are selected as 6061 series aluminium. The materials to be chosen at higher pressures are 316L type stainless steel. It is accepted that when hydrogen is used in the plates, the yield strength of the selected materials decreases. Thus, the design safety factor is increased when using Aluminium. For example, pistons are made of aluminum. They are easier to replace and the aim is not to damage the cylinder surface. The pistons are sealed and guided internally by elastomeric plastic and metal supports. Dimensions, thickness and materials change as pressure ranges increase. Metallic seals are used in more difficult conditions such as higher temperature and pressure.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Hydraulic type gas pressure booster to compress various gases, especially helium and hydrogen gas comprising of;■ at least one gas cylinder (3) in which gases are compressed to compress the gases,■ at least one oil cylinder (8) in which the hydraulic drive necessary to compress the gas is provided,■ at least one oil tank (12) providing oil supply to the oil cylinder (8),■ gas collection line (20) and gas supply line (21 ), which provide gas supply to the gas cylinder (3) from any source,■ characterized in that, the present invention comprises the following;• at least one gas cooling jacket (4) surrounding the outer wall of the gas cylinder (3) and containing a cooling element in which the coolant circulates.• at least one oil cooling jacket (9) surrounding the outer wall of the oil cylinder (8) and containing a cooling element in which the coolant circulates.

2. A gas pressure booster according to claim 1 , characterized in that; it comprises at least one coolant tank (18) that directs the coolant via lines to the cooling jacket (4) and the oil cooling jacket (9) and at least one cooling system (19) containing a small gas compressor, gas tank, heat exchanger and the system's management group.

3. A gas pressure booster according to claim 1 , characterized in that; it comprises gas collection line (20) or gas supply line (21 ) to supply gas to the gas cylinder (3) or to extract gas from the gas cylinder (3), filter (27) equipment that filters oil vapor, moisture or particles from the gas circulating in said lines (20, 21).

4. A gas pressure booster according to claim 3, characterized in that; it comprises sensor (28) equipment that controls the oil vapour or moisture or particles of the gas circulating in said lines (20, 21 ).

5. A gas pressure booster according to claim 3, characterized in that; it comprises at least one filter (27) equipment that provides filtration of the gas fed to the outside in accordance with the desired standards.

6. A gas pressure booster according to claim 3, characterized in that; it comprises sensors (28) that control the suitability of the gas given to the outlet and subjected to filtration.

7. A gas pressure booster according to claim 3, characterized in that; it comprises sensors (28) that check the suitability of the gas given to the outlet and subjected to filtration after passing through the filter (27) equipment and a control system (25) that can also report whether the filtration system is functioning or not.

8. A gas pressure booster according to claim 3, characterized in that; it comprises sensor (28) equipment for checking any oil leakage that may occur in the middle region plate of the pressure booster in the gas given to the outlet and subjected to filtration and control system (25) that can give maintenance warnings.

9. A gas pressure booster according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that; it comprises at least one control system (25) that instantly measures the gas level in the environment, the oil tank (12) and the coolant tank (18) with sensors, and activates a warning mechanism or turns off the gas pressure booster if the gas level is above the parameters defined in the system.

10. A gas pressure booster according to claim 9, characterized in that; it comprises at least one environment control line (24) in the control system (25) that provides access to the ambient air so as to measure the gas level in the environment.

11. A gas pressure booster according to claim 9, characterized in that; it comprises at least one fluid tank control line (22) in the control system (25) that provides access to the air in the space within the coolant tank (18) so as to measure the gas level in the coolant tank (18).

12. A gas pressure booster according to claim 9, characterized in that; it comprises at least one oil tank control line (23) in the control system (25) that provides access to the air in the space within the oil tank (12) so as to measure the gas level in the oil tank (12).

13. A gas pressure booster according to claim 9, characterized in that; it comprises at least one tank that is designed on the outer wall of the system to collect all gases that can escape from the system and is controlled to ensure that the system does not leak any compressed gas to the environment.

14. A gas pressure booster according to claim 9, characterized in that; it comprises a control system (25) that enables the compression-related pressure and time graphs to be followed throughout the process and possible major differences to be detected and maintenance carried out, since all equipment is surrounded by sensors (28) and stroke times can be kept under control.

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