Angled Air Filter Assembly for Offshore Fume Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore drilling rigs face challenges in removing volatile organic compounds and fugitive contaminants from ventilation air in enclosed equipment rooms, leading to hazardous fumes that can infiltrate other workspaces due to inadequate air filtration systems.
Innovation Solution
A filter assembly with a housing and angled filter elements is designed to remove fluid and solid contaminants from air, incorporating a mist eliminator filter and a drain system to collect and return contaminants to the mud pit or shale shaker, effectively reducing toxic and explosive fumes in the ventilation air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If forced ventilation is used to remove fumes from the enclosed equipment room, then the removal of hazardous contaminants is improved, but the fumes may infiltrate other workspaces due to inadequate filtration
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly extracts and removes hazardous contaminants (volatile organic compounds and fugitive contaminants) from the ventilation air stream before the air is discharged or recirculated. The filter element is positioned within the housing to intercept and capture contaminants, separating them from the breathable air stream, thereby preventing fume infiltration into other workspaces while maintaining ventilation effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The filter assembly acts as an intermediary component between the contaminated air in the equipment room and the surrounding workspaces. It mediates the air flow by capturing contaminants before they can infiltrate other areas, allowing the ventilation system to maintain productivity without spreading hazardous fumes
2Object-affected harmful factors
If filter elements are installed in the ventilation system, then contaminant removal is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is designed to integrate with existing ventilation system components (ductwork and exhaust fans). The housing incorporates a drain system that combines fluid contaminant collection and removal functions within the same assembly, reducing the need for separate components and simplifying installation while maintaining effective contaminant removal
Solution Approach 2:
The filter assembly serves multiple functions: filtering volatile organic compounds, capturing fugitive contaminants, collecting fluid contaminants through the drain system, and preventing fume infiltration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate systems, thereby managing complexity while achieving comprehensive contaminant removal
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 significantly reduces exposure to hazardous fumes and residues in the mud pit or shale shaker rooms by effectively filtering contaminants from the ventilation air, improving safety and workspace conditions on offshore drilling rigs.
Implementation Method 1
A filter element having a first surface area may be located within the filter chamber and oriented such that the first surface area is angled with respect to the air flow path. The filter element may comprise a filter media adapted to remove fluid and/or solid contaminants from the air.
Implementation Method 2
A drain may be associated with the housing and adapted to remove fluid contaminants filtered out of the air.
Data Source
AI summary
A filter assembly comprising a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet and a filter chamber disposed between the inlet and the outlet, the housing having an air flow path there through. A filter element having a first surface area maybe located within the filter chamber and oriented such that the first surface area is angled with respect to the air flow path. The filter element may comprise a filter media adapted to remove contaminants from the air. A drain may be associated with the housing and adapted to remove contaminants filtered out of the air.