Direct Current Pipeline Heating to Reduce Device Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for heating fluids in pipelines are often technically complex and require significant effort to implement, making them economically unfeasible, especially for applications like coking in cracking furnaces where insulation reduction is a concern.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising multiple electrically conductive pipelines connected to direct current or direct voltage sources, generating Joule heat to heat the fluid, with options for modular configuration and galvanic isolation to optimize temperature control and process efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If AC voltage sources with multiple outer conductors forming a star connection are used for heating, then heating capability is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into multiple independent DC voltage sources, each connected to a single pipeline. This segmentation allows each source to independently heat its assigned pipeline segment, simplifying the overall system architecture compared to a multi-conductor AC star connection system.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using AC voltage with multiple outer conductors forming a star connection (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by using DC voltage sources with direct connection to pipelines. This inversion eliminates the need for complex star connection arrangements while achieving effective heating.
2Temperature
If complex heating devices with multiple conductors are implemented, then heating function is achieved, but implementation effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the heating function into separate modules, with each DC voltage source independently heating a specific pipeline. This modular segmentation simplifies manufacturing and installation compared to implementing a single complex multi-conductor AC heating system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the heating function from a complex multi-conductor AC system and implements it through simpler DC voltage sources directly connected to pipelines. This extraction removes unnecessary complexity while retaining the essential heating capability.
3Device complexity
If direct current sources are used for heating pipelines, then technical simplicity is achieved, but temperature control precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
Each DC voltage source is independently adjustable, allowing local optimization of heating parameters for each pipeline segment. This local control capability enables precise temperature control despite the overall system's technical simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The DC voltage sources can be dynamically adjusted to control the heating rate and temperature of each pipeline independently. This dynamic adjustability ensures precise temperature control while maintaining the simplicity of the DC-based system architecture.
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 technically simple and economical method for heating fluids, allowing for precise temperature control and efficient process optimization in applications such as steam cracking and alkane dehydrogenation, while minimizing insulation reduction.
Implementation Method 1
The direct current source is designed to generate an electric current in the pipeline, which heats the pipeline by Joule heat to heat the fluid
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (110) for heating a fluid. The device comprises: - at least one electrically conductive pipeline (112) and/or at least one electrically conductive pipeline segment (114) for receiving the fluid; and - at least one direct current and/or direct voltage source (126), wherein each pipeline (112) and/or each pipeline segment (114) is assigned a direct current and/or direct voltage source (126) which is connected to the pipeline (112) and/or to the pipeline segment (114). The direct current and/or direct voltage source (126) is designed to generate an electric current in the pipeline (112) and/or in the pipeline segment (114) which warms up the pipeline (112) and/or the pipeline segment (114) by Joule heat, which is created as the electric current passes through the conductive pipe material, to heat the fluid.