Concentric Vent Conduit Layout to Prevent Ice on Cryogenic Seal Vents
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ice buildup on cold compressor seal gas discharge vents in cryogenic plants can render vent lines inoperable and poses a safety risk due to the potential for ice to fall from elevated stacks, necessitating a simple and economical solution.
Innovation Solution
Introducing a cold compressor seal vent stream into a concentric conduit with a warm compressor seal vent stream to create an annular region, preventing condensation and ice formation by using the warm gas as an insulator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cold vent stream is discharged through a vent line, then the vent line can safely discharge cold compressor seal gas, but ice forms on the vent line causing operational failure and safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the cold vent stream conduit inside the warm vent stream conduit, creating a concentric arrangement where the cold stream is nested within the warm stream. This structure allows the warm stream to act as an insulating barrier around the cold stream, preventing ice formation on the cold vent line while maintaining its discharge function.
Solution Approach 2:
The warm vent stream acts as an intermediary substance between the cold vent stream and the external environment. By introducing the warm stream into the annular region, it creates a thermal buffer that prevents direct contact between cold surfaces and the ambient cold environment, thereby eliminating ice formation without requiring active heating systems.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional ice prevention methods are used, then ice formation can be prevented, but the system becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by utilizing the warm vent stream that is already part of the compressor seal gas discharge system. Instead of requiring external heating systems or complex ice prevention equipment, the warm stream naturally circulates through the annular region and provides thermal protection to the cold vent line, eliminating the need for additional active prevention mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the ice prevention function with the existing vent stream discharge system. By combining the cold vent stream and warm vent stream into a single integrated conduit structure, the system achieves ice prevention without adding separate prevention systems, thereby reducing overall complexity and cost.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the vent line is insulated to prevent ice formation, then ice prevention is achieved, but the insulator material may also prevent necessary condensation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different thermal conditions to different regions of the vent system. The annular region between the cold and warm vents is kept warm to prevent ice formation, while the internal cold vent stream maintains its low temperature to allow necessary condensation of moisture in the discharge gas. This localized thermal differentiation achieves both ice prevention and condensation functionality.
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
Effectively prevents ice formation by maintaining temperatures above freezing, ensuring the vent lines remain functional and safe by combining the cold and warm vent streams to produce a warm enough exit gas that inhibits condensation.
Implementation Method 1
introducing a hot vent stream into a third conduit, wherein the third conduit is in fluid connection with the annular region, thereby preventing the first conduit from forming condensation or ice
Implementation Method 2
the warm stream acts as an insulator to prevent condensation and ice formation by maintaining a temperature above freezing
Data Source
AI summary
An improved vent ice prevention method including introducing a cold vent stream into a first conduit, wherein at least a portion of the first conduit is concentric with a second conduit, thereby producing an annular region, introducing a hot vent stream into a third conduit, and wherein the third conduit is in fluid connection with the annular region, thereby preventing the first conduit or the second conduit from forming ice. The cold vent stream is a cold compressor seal vent stream. The hot vent stream is a warm compressor seal vent stream.