Cryogenic Nitrogen Pneumatic Device Emission Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas-driven pneumatic devices in the oil and gas industry, particularly pneumatic controllers and pumps, emit significant amounts of methane and other gases due to design venting and maintenance issues, posing environmental and safety concerns, and rely on natural gas which requires high-pressure tanks that are costly and hazardous to handle.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic nitrogen sourced gas-driven pneumatic device that utilizes a cryogenic storage tank for liquid nitrogen, a pressure build circuit to maintain pressure, and an economizer circuit to convert liquid nitrogen into gas, eliminating the need for natural gas and reducing emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If natural gas is used to power pneumatic devices, then the devices can operate in remote facilities without electricity, but significant methane emissions are released to the atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces natural gas with nitrogen as the pneumatic power source. Nitrogen is an inert gas that does not contribute to greenhouse emissions or safety hazards associated with methane. The system uses nitrogen stored in cryogenic tanks to power pneumatic controllers and pumps, eliminating harmful emissions while maintaining operational capability in remote facilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and composition of the stored gas from natural gas (gaseous at ambient conditions) to liquid nitrogen (cryogenic liquid). This parameter change allows for compact storage and on-demand vaporization to provide pneumatic power, solving both the emission problem and the storage efficiency issue.
2Use of energy by moving object
If high-pressure natural gas tanks are installed at remote facilities, then pneumatic devices can be powered, but lease sizing costs increase and safety hazards arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of nitrogen from liquid to gas. Liquid nitrogen is stored in cryogenic tanks at low pressure, then vaporized on-demand to provide pressurized nitrogen for pneumatic devices. This eliminates the need for storing high-pressure natural gas, reducing both safety hazards and lease sizing requirements while maintaining adequate power supply.
3Productivity
If natural gas is used for pneumatic pump operation, then chemical injection can be performed, but gas must be vented at each pump movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces natural gas with nitrogen for pneumatic pump operation. Since nitrogen is inert and non-emissive, the system can perform chemical injection operations without releasing harmful gases to the atmosphere. The nitrogen is drawn from the cryogenic storage tank and used to actuate the pump diaphragm, eliminating the venting emissions problem.
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
The solution provides a reliable, low-cost, and safe alternative to natural gas-powered pneumatic devices, reducing methane and other gas emissions, minimizing maintenance needs, and eliminating the hazards associated with high-pressure natural gas handling.
Implementation Method 1
a vaporizer is configured to convert the liquid nitrogen into a gas as it is drawn through the vaporizer
Implementation Method 2
a pressure build circuit configured to build and hold pressure in the cryogenic storage tank
Implementation Method 3
an economizer circuit configured to draw gas that forms in the cryogenic storage tank for an end device
Data Source
AI summary
A cryogenic nitrogen sourced gas-driven pneumatic device that is configured to provide a pressurized gas to end devices is described herein. In some instances, the a cryogenic nitrogen sourced gas-driven pneumatic device may include a cryogenic storage tank that stores liquid nitrogen under pressure, a pressure build circuit configured to build and hold pressure in the cryogenic storage tank, an economizer circuit configured to draw gas that forms in the cryogenic storage tank for an end device, and a vaporizer is configured to convert the liquid nitrogen into a gas as it is drawn through the vaporizer.