Biogas Quality Control Valve for Gas Network Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of non-fossil natural gas from production facilities into public gas distribution networks poses challenges due to varying composition and quality, requiring stringent monitoring and measurement to ensure compliance with network standards.
Innovation Solution
A device with a supply line, return line, pressure-reducing means, flow meter, analyzing device, and control unit is used to measure and control the quality and quantity of non-fossil natural gas, ensuring it meets network standards by sampling, analyzing, and adjusting the gas flow through shut-off valves, with options for returning substandard gas for reprocessing or flaring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If non-fossil natural gas from various production facilities is introduced into the public gas distribution network, then the supply of renewable energy is improved, but the quality consistency and network safety deteriorate due to varying gas composition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the analyzing device continuously monitors gas composition parameters (calorific value, Wobbe index, methane content, CO2 content) and provides real-time feedback to the control device. Based on this feedback, the control device automatically adjusts the shut-off valve to regulate gas flow, ensuring that only gas meeting network quality standards is introduced. This closed-loop feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by maintaining quality consistency while accommodating variable compositions from different production facilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing quality analysis and control before gas introduction into the network. The measuring device and analyzing device assess gas composition parameters upstream of the shut-off valve, and the control device pre-adjusts the valve position based on these measurements. This preliminary quality assurance prevents non-compliant gas from entering the distribution network, thereby maintaining reliability while enabling renewable energy supply.
2Reliability
If comprehensive quality monitoring and control systems are implemented, then the gas quality and network safety are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-functional control device that integrates multiple functions: controlling the shut-off valve, receiving signals from the analyzing device, monitoring flow meter data, and coordinating with the pressure-reducing means. This universal control unit consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate control systems, thereby improving network safety through comprehensive monitoring while minimizing the increase in device complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the measuring device, analyzing device, flow meter, pressure-reducing means, and shut-off valve control into a single integrated quality control system. By combining these components into one coordinated system rather than separate independent systems, the patent achieves comprehensive quality monitoring and network safety while reducing overall system complexity through consolidation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If pressure reduction and flow control are implemented, then the gas compatibility with distribution network is improved, but the energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic pressure and flow control through the pressure-reducing means and the control device's adjustable shut-off valve. Rather than fixed pressure reduction, the system dynamically adjusts pressure and flow rates based on real-time gas composition analysis and network requirements. This dynamic control optimizes the balance between achieving gas compatibility with the distribution network and minimizing energy loss during the pressure reduction and flow regulation processes.
Data Source
AI summary
According to the invention, a device (14) for connecting a production facility (10) for non-fossil natural gas to a gas distribution network (12) comprises a supply line (18) for introducing non-fossil natural gas which has been produced, provided with a shut-off valve (24); a return line (30) for returning non-fossil natural gas; a discharge line (28) for discharging non-fossil natural gas; pressure-reducing means (38) for reducing the pressure of non-fossil natural gas produced in said production facility to a predetermined value; a flow meter (32) for measuring the flow rate of non-fossil natural gas; a measuring device (22) for measuring the caloric value of non-fossil natural gas at a location upstream of the shut-off valve (24) in the supply line (18); an analyzing device (20) for at least partially analyzing the composition of biogas at a location upstream of the shut-off valve (24) in the supply line (18); a control device (26) for controlling the shut-off valve (24) on the basis of the data provided by the measuring device (32) and by the analyzing device (20).