Buffered Gas Compression for Flow Fluctuation Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for compressing multiple gas streams, particularly those rich in CO2, face issues with flow rate and pressure fluctuations, which can lead to compressor failure due to sudden molecule shortages, resulting in loss of all gas sources.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the introduction of at least one gas stream into a buffer capacity before compression, with an anti-surge line to recycle flow back into the buffer capacity during fluctuations, ensuring stable operation of the final compressor by managing pressure drops and flow rate variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If multiple gas streams are compressed by a single compressor, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of compressor failure when one stream suddenly dries up
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer capacity is pre-filled with gas molecules before operation begins. This preliminary accumulation of molecules ensures that when one gas stream suddenly dries up, the compressor continues to receive sufficient molecules from the buffer, preventing immediate failure and allowing time for system adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer capacity acts as a cushion that absorbs sudden fluctuations in gas stream availability. By pre-positioning this molecular reservoir, the system is cushioned against the harmful effect of sudden stream interruption, protecting the compressor from damage due to molecule shortage.
2Reliability
If a buffer capacity is introduced to protect against flow fluctuations, then compressor reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer capacity serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a molecular reservoir to prevent compressor starvation, a flow stabilizer to dampen fluctuations, and a time-delay element to allow gradual system adjustment. This multi-functionality justifies the added component by providing several protective benefits from a single addition.
3Reliability
If intermediate compressors are used to compress each gas stream separately, then reliability is improved by avoiding single point of failure, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple intermediate compressors to pre-compress each stream, the invention uses a single buffer capacity to pre-accumulate molecules. This preliminary action of molecular accumulation achieves the reliability goal without requiring multiple compression devices, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining protection against stream interruption.
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 buffer capacity and anti-surge line effectively mitigate compressor failures by maintaining stable pressure and flow rates, preventing molecule loss and ensuring continuous operation during transient phases.
Implementation Method 1
the mixed stream enriched in main compound is introduced into a buffer capacity before being introduced in the final equipment
Implementation Method 2
an anti-surge line to recycle flow back into the buffer capacity during fluctuations
Implementation Method 3
the first gas stream recovered at the lowest pressure is compressed using an intermediate compression means to the pressure of the second stream
Implementation Method 4
the mixed stream enriched in main compound is introduced into final equipment that cannot withstand a flow rate and/or pressure fluctuation greater than a critical percentage
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for compressing at least two gas streams by means of a single compressor that does not support a fluctuation in flow rate and/or pressure above a critical percentage, said method being characterized in that at least one of the gas streams is fed into a buffer space before being fed into the single compressor.