Infrared Heated CNG Unloading Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in efficiently reducing the pressure of compressed natural gas (CNG) from high-pressure storage vessels to usable levels without causing significant temperature drops or condensation, which is particularly difficult in remote locations lacking permanent gas-handling facilities and where the gas must be delivered in a gaseous state for various applications.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a conduit with an infrared heater and a pressure letdown valve, configured to gradually reduce the pressure of CNG while maintaining it in a gaseous state, includes a coupling structure for connecting to storage vessels and ensuring continuous delivery of reduced-pressure natural gas, with optional features like Joule-Thompson valves and temperature/pressure sensors for real-time adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If CNG pressure is reduced from high-pressure storage to usable levels, then the gas becomes suitable for use by vehicles and equipment, but significant temperature drops occur that may cause condensation of the gas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary heating action by positioning infrared heaters to warm the CNG stream before it enters the pressure reduction valve. This pre-heating compensates for the anticipated temperature drop during pressure reduction, preventing condensation while maintaining the ability to reduce pressure effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful temperature drop and condensation tendency into a beneficial process by using the pressure reduction itself as the heating mechanism. The rapid expansion during pressure reduction creates friction and compression heating that, when combined with controlled pre-heating, maintains gas temperature while achieving the desired pressure reduction.
2Reliability
If permanent gas-handling facilities are built in remote locations to process CNG, then adequate processing can be achieved, but the facilities become uneconomical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential processing functions (heating and pressure reduction) from complex permanent facilities and implements them through portable, modular equipment. By taking out only the critical components needed for CNG processing and combining them in a mobile apparatus, the system achieves adequate processing capability without the economic burden of permanent infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service processing by designing a system that can be deployed and operated independently in remote locations. The portable apparatus contains all necessary components (infrared heaters, pressure reduction valves, flow meters) to process CNG without requiring connection to external utility infrastructure, making it economically viable for remote applications.
3Stability of the object's composition
If CNG is delivered in gaseous form for various applications, then it remains compatible with handling equipment, but pressure reduction may cause condensation that is incompatible with certain equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces infrared heaters as an intermediary element between the CNG storage and the delivery point. These heaters act as a thermal mediator that maintains the gas temperature throughout the pressure reduction process, ensuring the gas remains in a stable gaseous state and preventing condensation that would be harmful to downstream equipment.
4Stress or pressure
If complex cryogenic refrigeration systems are used to transport natural gas as LNG, then low-pressure transport is achieved, but the systems become capital-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex cryogenic refrigeration systems with simpler, portable heating equipment. Instead of investing in capital-intensive permanent LNG infrastructure, the system uses affordable, movable infrared heaters and pressure reduction valves that can be deployed temporarily in remote locations, achieving the same goal of making natural gas accessible without the heavy investment.
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 effectively reduces CNG pressure to suitable levels for immediate use, preventing condensation and ensuring a continuous supply of gaseous natural gas, even in remote locations, by using infrared heating and pressure regulation, thus addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
At least one infrared heater is positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the conduit and configured to deliver energy to the conduit for heating of the natural gas stream flowing therethrough
Implementation Method 2
A pressure let down valve is located upstream or downstream from the conduit and operable to reduce the pressure of the natural gas stream
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for offloading CNG from high-pressure storage vessels (22) are provided. The methods and apparatus are operable to warm the offloaded CNG either before or after a letdown in pressure to ensure that the delivered product is gaseous and that delivery of condensed products to downstream equipment is avoided. Particularly, a heating assembly (32) configured to warm a stream offloaded from a vessel (22) and flowing through a coil-shaped conduit (84) by infrared energy emitted by one or more heating elements (70) is provided upstream or downstream of a pressure reduction device (50).