Gas processing system and vessel including the same

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current gas processing systems for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) face inefficiencies in utilizing Boil Off Gas (BOG), leading to environmental contamination and resource waste, particularly due to high pressure requirements and complex system configurations in existing engine technologies like MEGI engines.

Innovation Solution

A gas processing system that includes a BOG compressor, a controller to manage fuel pressure between demand sources, and a flow control unit to optimize the supply of liquefied gas and BOG to either a low-speed two-stroke low-pressure injection engine, reducing pressure requirements and simplifying the fuel supply system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If MEGI engine is used to consume BOG, then BOG utilization is improved, but pressure requirement increases to 300 bars causing huge power consumption and complex system configuration

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveBOG utilizationVSAvoidsystem configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pressure parameter from high pressure (300 bars required by MEGI engine) to low pressure (1-20 bars for low-speed two-stroke engine), fundamentally altering the operating conditions to reduce system complexity and power consumption while maintaining BOG utilization capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the complex high-pressure mechanical compression system (MEGI engine requiring 300 bars) with a simpler low-pressure mechanical system (low-speed two-stroke engine at 1-20 bars), reducing mechanical complexity and power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If MEGI engine is used to consume BOG, then BOG utilization is improved, but power consumption increases hugely due to high pressure requirement

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveBOG utilizationVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pressure parameter from high pressure (300 bars) to low pressure (1-20 bars), which directly reduces the power consumption of the compression system while maintaining the ability to utilize BOG as fuel

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the high-power MEGI engine system with a low-power low-speed two-stroke engine system, reducing the mechanical power consumption required for BOG compression and utilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If BOG is discharged to outside and burned, then tank pressure safety is improved, but environment contamination occurs and resource is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetank pressure safetyVSAvoidenvironment contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful BOG discharge (which causes environmental contamination) into a beneficial resource by compressing and utilizing it as fuel in the low-speed two-stroke engine, transforming waste into useful energy while maintaining tank safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding BOG to the environment, the patent recovers it by compressing and storing it for subsequent use as fuel in the engine, preventing environmental contamination and resource waste

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

4Device complexity

If low-speed two-stroke low pressure injection engine is used, then pressure requirement is reduced and system complexity is simplified, but fuel supply control becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem configurationVSAvoidfuel supply control

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of the fuel supply system, allowing the controller to adjust fuel pressure and flow based on real-time operating conditions, engine demand, and BOG availability, making the simplified low-pressure system adaptable to varying operational requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback control mechanisms where the controller monitors engine operation and fuel supply conditions, adjusting the fuel pressure and flow rate accordingly to maintain optimal performance despite the simplified low-pressure configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 effectively supplies liquefied gas and BOG, enhancing stability and reliability while reducing power consumption and system complexity, thereby improving storage efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Implementation Method 1

a BOG compressor that compresses BOG generated in a liquefied gas storage tank

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS11041466B2Gas processing system and vessel including the same

Publication Date: 2021.06.22 HD HYUNDAI HEAVY IND CO LTD

AI summary

A gas processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention controls inflow fuel pressure of a low pressure demand source according to an operation or a non-operation of a high pressure demand source and the low pressure demand source.