Centrifugal Compressor Internal Drainage Pipes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centrifugal compressors in the 'Oil & Gas' industry, particularly those used in subsea applications, face challenges with liquid accumulation and the need for external drainage systems, which increase complexity, cost, and maintenance due to varying liquid levels in the working fluid.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a centrifugal compressor with a vertical axis, a lower intake plenum, and an upper discharge scroll, featuring multiple drainage pipes that direct drained liquid back to the intake plenum, where it is entrained by the working fluid and expelled through the discharge, eliminating the need for external drainage systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an external drainage system is installed to remove liquid from the compressor, then liquid accumulation is prevented, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage system is merged with the compressor's existing structure by integrating drainage pipes that connect the compression chamber directly to the intake plenum. This eliminates the need for separate external drainage systems while maintaining liquid removal functionality, as the drained liquid is recirculated through the intake plenum and expelled with the compressed gas.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressor serves its own drainage function by using its compression mechanism to expel liquid through the discharge. The drainage pipes enable the compressor to self-drain accumulated liquid without requiring external drainage infrastructure, making the system self-sufficient and reducing overall complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If separators are used to reduce liquid in the working fluid, then liquid content is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the liquid separation function from the traditional separator and relocates it to the intake plenum area. By positioning drainage pipe outlets in the lower portion of the compression chamber where liquid accumulates due to gravity, the system extracts liquid directly at the source and recirculates it through the intake plenum, eliminating the need for separate separator equipment.
3Reliability
If liquid is drained inside the compressor, then liquid accumulation is controlled, but maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage system is segmented into multiple drainage pipes distributed within the compression chamber, each capable of draining liquid independently. This segmentation allows for modular maintenance where individual pipes can be accessed and serviced without dismantling the entire compressor, reducing maintenance complexity while maintaining effective liquid control.
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 configuration ensures that all liquid entering the compressor is processed and expelled, reducing complexity and cost by eliminating the need for external drainage systems and separators, enhancing operational efficiency and reliability in 'Oil & Gas' applications.
Implementation Method 1
centrifugal compressor with a vertical axis... a plurality of drainage pipes starting in a compression chamber... arranged in the lower portion of the compressor
Implementation Method 2
The drained liquid is entrained by the working fluid of the compressor. The drained liquid is fed upstream the first stage of the compressor in to the intake plenum of the compressor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A compressor (200) has a lower inlet (210) with an intake plenum (211) and an upper outlet (220) with a discharge scroll (221); the compressor (200) comprises a plurality of drainage pipes (231) ending at the intake plenum (211).