Reciprocating Compressor Inlet Valve Using High-Pressure Gas Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reciprocating compressor inlet valve systems vent gas to the atmosphere when using low pressure for control, making it unusable and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a high pressure gas source from the discharge side to control the inlet valve, eliminating the need for venting by using a control valve actuator to maintain the valve in an open or closed position, utilizing differential gas pressures to engage or disengage the valve elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If low pressure gas is used to control the inlet valve, then the valve control is simplified, but gas is vented to the atmosphere making it unusable and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
A control valve actuator is introduced as an intermediary device between the high pressure gas source and the inlet valve elements. The actuator uses differential pressure from the high pressure gas to control the inlet valve elements, eliminating the need to vent control gas to the atmosphere while maintaining simplified valve control operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs pneumatic principles by using high pressure gas to create differential pressure across the control valve actuator. This pneumatic mechanism allows the actuator to move and hold the inlet valve elements in desired positions without venting gas, converting the harmful gas venting into a useful control mechanism
2Loss of energy
If high pressure gas is used to control the inlet valve, then gas venting is eliminated, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve actuator is designed to use the high pressure gas itself to control its own operation. The differential pressure from the high pressure gas source automatically moves the actuator to appropriate positions without requiring external control systems, reducing overall system complexity while eliminating gas venting
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter of the control gas from low pressure (requiring venting) to high pressure (utilizable). By utilizing the high pressure parameter, the system eliminates gas venting while the self-service nature of the actuator keeps the added complexity minimal
3Reliability
If the inlet valve is held open longer, then process gas can re-enter the inlet passage for better pressure control, but the valve control timing becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve actuator is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to move to different positions (fully open, partially open, closed) based on operational requirements. This dynamic adjustment enables extended valve open timing for better pressure control while the self-service mechanism keeps the control timing complexity manageable
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 solution prevents gas venting, ensuring efficient use of the high pressure gas and maintaining control over the inlet valve without losing compressed gas, thereby enhancing the compressor's operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Each inlet valve element may be configured to move between a closed position to an opened position by applying differential gas pressures to a front element surface of a front element portion of the inlet valve element and to a rear element surface of a rear element portion of the inlet valve element
Data Source
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AI summary
An improved inlet valve system for a cylinder chamber of a reciprocating compressor and a method for utilizing a high pressure gas source to control an inlet valve system for a cylinder chamber of a reciprocating compressor is disclosed. The inlet valve system may include an unloader, a valve assembly including a cylindrical valve body circumferentially disposed about a central axis of the inlet valve system, and a control valve actuator including a control valve body. The valve assembly may include a plurality of inlet valve elements disposed respectively in valve element ports fluidly connected to a control valve passage. A high pressure gas source is utilized to hold open and close the inlet valve elements via the control valve passage in order to control the capacity of the reciprocating compressor.