Intake-Adaptive Gas Generator for Variable Flare Gas Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrocarbon extraction often results in volatile, combustible gases that are difficult to transport or process due to low volume or lack of homogeneity, leading to inefficient energy utilization and potential equipment corrosion, with conventional generators being unsuitable for on-site power generation due to unpredictable gas flow and reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
An intake-adaptable gas generator system that uses sensors and fluid control devices to adapt to varying gas flow rates and concentrations, injecting flare gases into tanks for compression and blending, and utilizing waste gases for power generation, reducing excess gas burning and equipment corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional generators are used for on-site power generation, then power supply is provided, but the system fails to adapt to unpredictable gas flow and experiences reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The gas generator system incorporates dynamic control mechanisms including variable speed compressors, adjustable fuel-air ratio control, and real-time sensor feedback systems that continuously adapt to changing gas flow rates and compositions, enabling reliable operation under unpredictable flow conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as compression ratio, fuel injection rate, and air intake based on real-time gas flow measurements and composition analysis, allowing the generator to maintain optimal performance across varying gas supply conditions
2Loss of energy
If flare gases are directly burned, then gas disposal is achieved, but energy utilization is inefficient and equipment corrosion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts previously wasted flare gases into a valuable fuel source by compressing and conditioning them for use in the gas generator, transforming an environmental hazard and energy loss into a beneficial resource for on-site power generation
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of directly burning and discarding flare gases through flaring, the system recovers the energy content by compressing the gases into the fuel supply system, where they are combusted in a controlled manner to generate electricity, thereby recovering both energy and reducing corrosion
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system efficiently utilizes waste gases for power generation, reducing gas release into the atmosphere, increasing operational efficiency, and minimizing equipment corrosion by adapting to fluctuating gas supplies and improving energy utilization.
Implementation Method 1
a gas generator to generate electrical energy using a fluid mixture obtained via a generator inlet of the gas generator, wherein a portion of the fluid mixture comprises gas provided by a gas emission source
Implementation Method 2
gas generator to generate electrical energy
Implementation Method 3
a compressor, wherein a compressor inlet of the compressor is attached to a generator outlet of the gas generator by a first set of conduits, and wherein exhaust fluid of the gas generator is provided to the compressor via the first set of conduits
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a generator using a fluid mixture obtained via a generator inlet, a compressor having a compressor inlet that is connected to a generator outlet by a first set of conduits, a second set of conduits connected to the compressor outlet and the generator inlet, and a sensor in communication with the second set of conduits, where a portion of the fluid mixture includes gas from a gas emission source, and where exhaust fluid of the generator is provided to the compressor. A process includes obtaining a target fluid property and a fluid measurement using the sensor and modifying a parameter of a fluid control device to modify a first flow rate of the flow of the exhaust fluid through the second set of conduits relative to a second flow rate of the flow of the gas provided by gas emission source through the first set of conduits.