Reciprocating Compressor Phasing for Natural Gas Pulsation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for controlling pulsations in fluid pumping systems, such as natural gas pipeline systems, are inefficient and often rely on bulky devices like volume bottles, which increase driver horsepower requirements and degrade system performance, especially in high-speed compressors, and fail to effectively attenuate multiple frequency pulsations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a pressure wave attenuation system that combines gas flows from multiple cylinders with phased operations and tuned conduit lengths to out-of-phase pressure waves, reducing pulsations and improving system efficiency by canceling primary and harmonic frequencies through the use of tuned loops and junctions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional volume bottles are used to control pulsations, then pulsation control is achieved, but driver horsepower requirements increase and system performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the fluid flow into multiple separate cylinder outlets (first outlet, second outlet, third outlet) that are phased differently, rather than using a single bulk volume bottle approach. Each cylinder outlet serves as an independent segment that contributes to overall pulsation reduction through phase diversity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures the cylinder phases and conduit arrangements so that pressure waves from different cylinders are already out of phase before combining, creating automatic pulsation cancellation. The fourth cylinder is specifically phased to counteract pulsations from the first cylinder, providing preliminary anti-action against harmful pressure variations.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional pulsation control devices are used, then pulsations are attenuated, but system efficiency degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the periodic nature of reciprocating compressor cycles to advantage by phasing four cylinders at different angular positions (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°). This periodic arrangement ensures that when one cylinder is at peak pressure, another is at a different phase, creating continuous smoothing of the combined output without requiring efficiency-reducing dampening devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the outputs of four separately-phased cylinders into a common outlet, combining their flow characteristics to achieve pulsation reduction. The junction where all four cylinder outlets combine is designed to maintain efficient flow while benefiting from the phased cancellation of pressure waves.
3Productivity
If high-speed compressors are used to increase productivity, then fluid flow increases, but pulsation control becomes more difficult and performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically balances the phased cylinder arrangement to adapt to high-speed operation. The 90-degree phase separation between cylinders creates a dynamic pulsation cancellation effect that becomes more effective at higher speeds, as the frequency of pressure wave interactions increases, enhancing the smoothing effect without requiring additional control devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses four identical cylinders with the same internal geometry and operating parameters, but phased at different angular positions. This copying approach ensures that each cylinder produces identical pressure wave patterns, which then cancel each other through phase differences, providing effective pulsation control that scales with speed.
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, increases fluid flow, and enhances the performance of reciprocating compressors by minimizing pressure differential and pulsation-induced stress on equipment, while maintaining system efficiency and integrity.
Implementation Method 1
combines gas flows from multiple cylinders with phased operations and tuned conduit lengths to out-of-phase pressure waves, reducing pulsations and improving system efficiency by canceling primary and harmonic frequencies
Implementation Method 2
A reciprocating compressor may have a piston that is moved alternately toward one end of a cylinder and then to an opposing end of the cylinder and fluid may be propelled from the cylinder by the piston in either one or both directions of piston movement
Implementation Method 3
The fluid may be propelled by a pressure creating device, such as a compressor or other type of pump
Data Source
AI summary
A natural gas pumping system that includes six reciprocating compressor cylinders, the reciprocating pistons of the six compressors having cycles offset by 60 degrees one from another.