Anti-Surge Cooling Layout to Prevent Valve Condensation Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compressor systems with anti-surge arrangements face issues with overheating and potential damage to anti-surge valves due to liquid condensation in the gas flow, especially when processing gases with components of different molecular weights.
Innovation Solution
A compressor system design that includes an anti-surge line with a heat removal arrangement featuring a quench valve and an anti-surge cooler. The quench valve sprays condensed gas into the anti-surge line to absorb latent heat, while the anti-surge cooler further cools the gas downstream of the anti-surge valve, preventing liquid phase flow and overheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the anti-surge valve is opened to recirculate gas and prevent surging, then compressor stability is improved, but the valve may be damaged by liquid phase flowing through it
Solution Approach 1:
The gas cooler is positioned upstream of the anti-surge valve to cool the compressed gas before it reaches the valve. This preliminary cooling action prevents condensation of heavy components occurring at the valve location, ensuring that only gaseous phase flows through the anti-surge valve during recirculation, thereby protecting the valve from liquid damage while maintaining compressor stability
Solution Approach 2:
The gas cooler acts as an intermediary component between the compressor delivery side and the anti-surge valve. It mediates the temperature of the gas flow, transforming hot compressed gas into cooled gas that prevents liquid condensation at the valve, thus protecting the valve from liquid phase damage while allowing the anti-surge function to operate
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the gas is cooled in the gas cooler to prevent liquid condensation, then anti-surge valve protection is improved, but compressor overheating may occur during transient conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The gas cooler provides preliminary cooling of the compressed gas before it enters the anti-surge valve, preventing liquid condensation and protecting the valve. During transient conditions when the anti-surge valve opens, this pre-cooled gas prevents compressor overheating by removing excess heat before the gas is recirculated back to the suction side
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling action that initially appears to merely prevent liquid condensation actually provides a dual benefit: it protects the anti-surge valve from liquid damage and simultaneously prevents compressor overheating during transient operating conditions when the valve is open, converting a potential harm (excess heat) into a beneficial cooling effect
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
This design effectively prevents overheating of the compressor and reduces the risk of damage to the anti-surge valve by ensuring that no liquid phase or a reduced amount of liquid phase flows through the valve, even under conditions where condensation occurs.
Implementation Method 1
The quench valve sprays condensed gas into the anti-surge line to absorb latent heat
Implementation Method 2
The quench valve sprays condensed gas into the anti-surge line to absorb latent heat
Implementation Method 3
the anti-surge cooler further cools the gas downstream of the anti-surge valve
Implementation Method 4
the inlet of the anti-surge line is arranged downstream of a gas cooler, such that cooled gas enters the anti-surge line
Data Source
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AI summary
A compressor system (1) is described, comprising: - at least a first compressor (7) having a suction side (7S) and a delivery side (7D); - an anti-surge line (23); an anti-surge valve (25) arranged along the anti-surge line (23) and controlled for recirculating a gas flow from the delivery side (7D) back to the suction side (7S) of the compressor (7); a heat removal arrangement (61; 68; 70) between the anti-surge valve (23) and the suction side (7S) of the compressor (7).