Cryogenic Gas Compressor Bypass with Turboexpander
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for compressing cryogenic gases, such as hydrocarbon gases, face challenges in efficiently regulating the amount of gas passed to subsequent devices and managing energy requirements, particularly in varying load conditions, leading to the need for pressure containers for intermediate storage.
Innovation Solution
A system with a bypass line arrangement and an expander, such as a turboexpander, allows compressed gas to be re-cooled and returned to the compressor intake, reducing power and space requirements, and enabling flexible gas regulation by mechanical coupling of the compressor and expander.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the compressor is designed for high intake temperatures to handle compressed gas, then the compressor can operate with higher flexibility, but the power requirement, weight, and space requirement of the compressor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gas is pre-cooled in the cooler before entering the compressor, preparing it in advance to allow the compressor to operate at optimal low temperatures and pressures, reducing power requirements while maintaining operational flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
A cooler is introduced as an intermediary device between the gas source and the compressor, mediating the temperature and pressure of the gas before it reaches the compressor, thereby enabling the compressor to operate more efficiently
2Reliability
If pressure containers for intermediate storage of compressed gas are used to handle variations in load and evaporation, then gas supply stability is improved, but the system complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the compressor's own output to pre-cool the intake gas, creating a self-regulating mechanism that automatically adjusts to load variations and evaporation rates without requiring external storage containers or complex control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass line creates a feedback loop where compressed gas is redirected back through the cooler, allowing the system to automatically respond to changes in gas temperature and pressure, maintaining stability without additional storage infrastructure
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 reduces energy consumption, weight, and space needs, allowing for cost-effective design of storage tanks and efficient gas utilization in both stationary and mobile applications, including tank ships, by maintaining low temperatures and optimizing energy use.
Implementation Method 1
an expander disposed in the bypass, for re-cooling the gas that flows through the bypass
Implementation Method 2
a compressor for compressing the gas... Although the gas is heated during compression
Implementation Method 3
the line arrangement has a cooler on the pressure side of the compressor. The compressed gas can be cooled down via the cooler
Data Source
AI summary
A system for compressing a cryogenic gas, particularly a hydrocarbon gas, has a compressor for compressing the gas and a line arrangement, which passes the gas to the intake side of the compressor and passes the compressed gas to a subsequent device for use. The line arrangement has a bypass and the compressed gas can be passed back to the intake side of the compressor via the bypass. An expander is disposed in the bypass, for re-cooling the gas that flows through the bypass. A method regulates a system for compressing a cryogenic gas, particularly a hydrocarbon gas that occurs during storage of a cryogenic liquid.