Angled Cryogenic Separator for LNG Gas Fraction Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas separators for liquefied natural gas (LNG) are complex in design, which complicates maintenance and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic device with a cylindrical housing divided into two portions connected at an angle of 135°-170°, featuring a perforated partition and additional pipelines for pressure feeding and extraction, enabling a two-stage separation process for liquefied natural gas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional gas separator design is used, then separation function is provided, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into two distinct cylindrical portions (first and second portions) connected at an angle, with a perforated partition creating separate separation stages. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific separation function, improving reliability through functional specialization while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The perforated partition is arranged within the housing structure, with the first and second cylindrical portions nested at an angle to each other. The partition creates internal separation zones within the overall housing volume, effectively nesting separation functions within the structural framework to achieve compact, reliable separation without excessive complexity
2Device complexity
If a simplified separator structure is used, then device complexity decreases, but separation effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The housing has different geometric properties in different regions - the first cylindrical portion and second cylindrical portion are connected at a specific angle (135°-170°) to create optimal flow conditions for each separation stage. The perforated partition is strategically positioned to create appropriate flow distribution, ensuring high separation effectiveness through localized structural optimization rather than uniform complexity throughout
Solution Approach 2:
The angle between the first and second cylindrical portions is optimized within the range of 135°-170° to achieve effective separation. This parameter optimization allows the structure to maintain simplicity while achieving high separation effectiveness through carefully selected geometric parameters that maximize flow separation and phase division
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 device simplifies the separation process, enhances reliability, and is suitable for use in gas treatment systems of locomotives, as demonstrated by successful testing in a GT1h-002 gas-turbine locomotive.
Implementation Method 1
a perforated partition arranged within the housing so as to face the outlet pipeline
Implementation Method 2
two-stage separation of a gas fraction is carried out
Implementation Method 3
the housing being formed by two (upper and lower) portions of cylindrical shape that are connected to each other at an angle α of 135°-170°
Data Source
AI summary
The cryogenic device for separating gas fraction from a liquefied natural gas flow carries out a two-stage separation of a gas fraction. The device includes a cylindrical housing provided with an inlet pipeline and an outlet pipeline, and a perforated partition arranged within the housing so as to face the outlet pipeline. The housing has two (upper and lower) portions of cylindrical shape that are connected to each other at an angle α of 135°-170°. There are two additional pipelines on the outside, one of them being used for pressure feed of a gas fraction after the first separation stage into the housing upper portion, and the other additional pipeline being used for extracting a gas fraction after the second separation stage into the gas cavity of a reservoir containing a cryogenic fuel.