Check Valve Protection Device for Natural Gas Compressors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Check valves in natural gas compressors fail prematurely due to delayed lubricant delivery, oil dilution by natural gas, vibration-induced failures, and premature failure of cylinders/packing, which are not adequately addressed by existing reservoir devices.
Innovation Solution
A check valve protection device with a small internal volume and oil head seals is used to provide a reliable fluid barrier, reducing the volume required for lubricant delivery and minimizing the impact of gas saturation, while being lightweight to resist vibration, and incorporating a pressure gauge for system troubleshooting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a reservoir device is used to provide an oil barrier between the check valve and natural gas, then the check valve is protected from contamination, but the device adds volume that delays lubricant delivery to the compressor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the oil barrier function from a separate reservoir device and integrates it directly into the check valve body. The check valve now includes an oil barrier chamber that maintains a liquid seal between the natural gas and the valve components, eliminating the need for an external reservoir while preserving protection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the check valve and oil barrier device into a single integrated unit. The oil barrier chamber is formed within the check valve body itself, merging the functions of valve operation and contamination protection into one compact component, thereby eliminating the volume and delay associated with separate reservoir devices.
2Reliability
If a large volume reservoir device is used to ensure adequate oil barrier, then protection is improved, but the device increases in size and weight making it more susceptible to vibration-induced failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing the oil barrier function only where it is specifically needed - within the check valve body at the interface between natural gas and valve components. Rather than using a large reservoir, the oil barrier chamber is localized to the critical area, maintaining protection while minimizing overall device volume and vibration susceptibility.
3Device complexity
If the check valve is directly connected to the compressor cylinder, then the system is simpler, but hot natural gas contaminates and damages the check valve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the nested doll principle by placing the oil barrier chamber inside the check valve body. The natural gas is contained in the outer region while the oil barrier chamber is nested within, creating a protective interface that prevents contamination without requiring external components or complex piping arrangements.
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 solution extends the life of check valves by ensuring rapid lubricant delivery, reducing wear and failure of compressor components, and enhancing safety by minimizing the risk of gas leaks and explosions.
Implementation Method 1
an oil reservoir device is typically mounted between the cylinder and the check valve to maintain an oil barrier between the check valve and the natural gas
Implementation Method 2
a small volume of lubricant at high pressure is typically applied periodically into the compressor cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method are described for extending the life of check valves. An improved check valve having a double poppet and tapered guides is more robust, and a check valve protection device between the check valve and the environment into which fluid is injected protects the valve from a contaminating or corrosive environment. The check valve and check valve protection device are small and light weight to prevent vibration-induced failures. The check valve protection device preferably has an interior volume that fills quickly by relatively few cycles of the lubricant pump to reduce delay of lubricant to the injection point.