Compressor Control for Gas Generator Membrane Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas generators with filtering membranes face inefficiencies due to wide pressure ripples from piston compressors, leading to energy waste, mechanical stress, and reduced membrane efficiency at low flow rates, necessitating operation above a certain speed.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an electronic feedback control system to maintain constant gas pressure at the membrane inlet and outlet, allowing continuous regulation of the compressor's working point, and using pressure sensors and valves to optimize membrane efficiency and gas purity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a piston compressor with ON/OFF logic is used to power the gas generator, then the compressor can operate intermittently, but the output pressure exhibits wide ripple causing energy waste and mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static ON/OFF control to dynamic continuous regulation of the compressor. The compressor speed is continuously adjusted based on real-time pressure feedback from the membrane inlet, allowing the system to adapt to varying flow demands while maintaining optimal pressure, thereby eliminating energy waste from pressure ripple and intermittent operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by using a pressure sensor to continuously monitor the pressure at the membrane inlet and feeding this information back to the control system. The controller adjusts the compressor speed based on this feedback signal, maintaining pressure within a predetermined range and eliminating the wide pressure ripple characteristic of ON/OFF control
2Manufacturing precision
If the compressor operates above a certain speed to maintain membrane efficiency, then the membrane can achieve acceptable separation efficiency, but the compressor experiences high working regimen leading to increased wear and energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the compressor speed parameter based on actual flow demands and pressure conditions. Instead of operating continuously at high speed to ensure minimum membrane efficiency, the system modulates the compressor speed to match the actual gas flow requirements, maintaining adequate membrane performance while significantly reducing energy consumption and mechanical wear
3Manufacturing precision
If the compressor operates above a certain speed to maintain membrane efficiency, then the membrane achieves acceptable separation efficiency, but the compressor experiences increased mechanical stress shortening its working life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static high-speed operation to dynamic speed modulation. The compressor operates at variable speeds matched to actual demand, avoiding continuous high-speed operation that causes mechanical stress and fatigue, thereby extending the compressor's service life while maintaining adequate gas separation efficiency through real-time adaptation
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
This approach reduces energy consumption, minimizes mechanical stress, and enhances membrane efficiency by maintaining optimal working conditions for both the compressor and membrane, enabling adjustable gas purity and pressure.
Implementation Method 1
a filtering membrane adapted to separate gaseous components present in a gas
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed for controlling the generation of gas occurring in a generator via a filtering membrane (M). The filtering membrane (M) is fed at the entry with a gas pushed by a compressor (C), and is capable of separating gaseous components of the gas at the exit. The method has the steps of detecting the gas pressure at a detection point (SP1) at the membrane entry and/or at the exit (M); adjusting the regime of the compressor (C) so that the detected pressure is maintained at a reference pressure, here called Pref]. Advantages: less wear out for the compressor and extended life cycle.