Control Section Flushing With Inert Gas and Measured Gas Extraction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas pipeline maintenance and functional checks result in significant gas escape into the atmosphere due to the venting of residual gas, posing environmental and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A flushing device and method that utilizes an inert gas, such as nitrogen, to purge gas-carrying pipelines, equipped with measurement and control systems to ensure complete gas extraction and prevent atmospheric release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If gas is discharged into the atmosphere via regulator during maintenance, then pressure equalization is achieved, but gas emissions into the environment occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vacuum pump as an intermediary device to create negative pressure in the control section, enabling controlled gas removal through a valve rather than direct atmospheric discharge. This mediator allows pressure equalization while containing and controlling the gas flow path to minimize environmental emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inert gas (nitrogen or other non-combustible gas) to replace the combustible gas in the control section during maintenance operations. By creating an inert atmosphere, the system achieves pressure control and gas removal without releasing harmful combustible gases into the environment, thus resolving the contradiction between pressure management and emission prevention.
2Quantity of substance
If residual gas is vented to atmosphere via vent lines, then gas removal is achieved, but indeterminate quantities of gas escape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a sensor that detects the presence of combustible gas in the control section and provides feedback to control the valve operation. This feedback mechanism allows precise control of gas removal, stopping the venting process when the gas concentration reaches acceptable levels, thereby minimizing unnecessary gas loss while ensuring complete gas removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum pump serves as an intermediary that creates controlled negative pressure to extract gas through a monitored valve, replacing the uncontrolled atmospheric venting process. This intermediary system enables precise quantity control of gas removal while preventing indeterminate losses to the atmosphere.
3Ease of operation
If front shut-off element is opened to expel air, then system flushing is achieved, but medium escapes into atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum pump acts as an intermediary device that enables system flushing by creating negative pressure to draw out air and residual gas through a controlled valve, rather than requiring opening the front shut-off element to atmospheric pressure. This maintains system containment while achieving thorough flushing.
Solution Approach 2:
By maintaining an inert gas atmosphere throughout the flushing process and using vacuum extraction, the patent enables easy system flushing without releasing the medium into the atmosphere. The inert gas environment allows safe and simple operational procedures while preventing harmful emissions.
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 reduces gas emissions during maintenance by ensuring complete gas extraction and safe disposal, enhancing operational safety and compliance with regulatory standards.
Implementation Method 1
a measuring device downstream of the withdrawal interface for measuring the gas from the control section
Implementation Method 2
supplying inert flushing gas into the control section to force the gas from the control section out of the control section
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a purging device (10) for purging a control section (110) of a gas-carrying line (100), the purging device (10) comprising a supply interface (30) for coupling the purging device (10) with the control section (110) and for supplying purging gas (I) into the control section (110), a purging gas interface (40) for coupling a purging gas source (150) with the purging device (10), wherein the supply interface (30) and the purging gas interface (40) are fluidly connected to each other, and a withdrawal interface (20) for coupling the purging device (10) with the control section (110) and for withdrawal of gas (G) from the control section (110), wherein the purging device (10) further comprises a measuring device (50) downstream of the withdrawal interface (20) for measuring the gas (G) from the control section (110).Furthermore, the invention relates to a flushing method (200) for flushing a control section (110) of a gas-carrying line (100) by means of a flushing device (10) and a flushing system (190).