Compressed Natural Gas Power Loop With Gas Recirculation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydrocarbon wellsite power generation systems rely on diesel engines, which are expensive, environmentally unfriendly, and produce significant pollution, requiring costly logistics and emissions.

Innovation Solution

A system that generates electric power using compressed natural gas, where a generator produces electricity, which is used to actuate an electric motor powering a compression unit to increase gas pressure, with a portion of the compressed gas being rerouted back to the generator for additional power generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If diesel engines are used to power wellsite equipment, then reliable power generation is achieved, but environmental pollution and operational costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation reliabilityVSAvoidexhaust and pollutants

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the harmful exhaust gases produced by the diesel generator into a useful resource by routing them through a compression unit and back to the generator intake, creating a closed-loop system where waste becomes fuel input

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system serves itself by using its own exhaust output to fuel its own operation, creating a self-sustaining power generation loop that reduces external fuel requirements and minimizes environmental impact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Duration of action of moving object

If diesel tankers are used for constant fuel delivery, then continuous operation is maintained, but carbon dioxide emissions and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operation capabilityVSAvoidcarbon dioxide emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains continuous operation by creating a closed-loop feedback system where exhaust gases are continuously compressed and recirculated back to the generator, ensuring uninterrupted power generation without external fuel deliveries

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding exhaust gases into the environment, the system recovers them by routing them through compression units and back to the generator intake, transforming waste into a continuous fuel source that eliminates the need for external fuel deliveries

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Stress or pressure

If compression units are powered by generated electric power, then gas pressurization is achieved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas pressureVSAvoidelectric power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the compression units are powered by electric motors connected to the generator, and the exhaust from the generator is compressed and fed back to the generator intake, creating a self-regulating loop that optimizes energy usage

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

Provides a cleaner, cost-effective power solution by utilizing readily available natural gas, reducing emissions and operational costs, and enhancing power generation efficiency at wellsites.

Implementation Method 1

generating electric power through compressed natural gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 2

at least one electric motor coupled to at least one compression unit based on the produced electric power

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

actuating the at least one compression unit to discharge a flow of gas at an increased pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical compression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS20250369315A1Systems and Methods of Generating Electric Power With Compressed Natural Gas

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 SERVICE COMPRESSION LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods for generating electric power are provided. A method includes operating a generator to produce electric power from a fuel source and actuating at least one electric motor coupled to at least one compression unit based on the produced electric power. The method further includes actuating the at least one compression unit to discharge a flow of gas at an increased pressure and directing at least a portion of the flow of gas discharged from the at least one compression unit to a location upstream of the generator. The generator is configured to receive the at least a portion of the flow of gas discharged from the at least one compression unit and to produce electric power from the at least a portion of the flow of gas discharged from the at least one compression unit.