Double-Walled Gas Pipe Air Circulation Using Ejector Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air circulation systems for double-walled gas supply pipes, particularly in ships and offshore structures handling safety-critical gases like LNG, are inefficient due to high costs and power consumption, and require expensive explosion-proof electrical fans.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a water, air, or steam ejector to circulate air through the outer pipe of a double-walled pipe, eliminating the need for a fan by using high-pressure fluids or steam to create a vacuum for air suction and circulation, with integrated control mechanisms for leak detection and gas discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fan is used to circulate air through the outer pipe, then air circulation function is achieved, but cost and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by using high-pressure gas (from the gas handling device) to drive air circulation through the outer pipe. The pressure differential created by the high-pressure gas supply replaces the need for mechanical fan-driven circulation, thereby eliminating continuous electrical power consumption while maintaining reliable air circulation for leak detection and corrosion prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the existing high-pressure gas infrastructure already present in LNG ships for self-service air circulation. The gas handling device's high-pressure gas, already required for LNG operations, is repurposed to drive air through the outer pipe, making the air circulation system self-sufficient without requiring separate power sources or additional mechanical components.
2Reliability
If a fan is used to circulate air through the outer pipe, then air circulation function is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase due to explosion-proof requirements
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing the electrical fan with a pneumatic-driven system using high-pressure gas, the patent eliminates the need for explosion-proof electrical equipment. The high-pressure gas flow naturally drives air circulation without requiring complex explosion-proof enclosures, certification, or specialized electrical components, thereby reducing device complexity and overall system cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the electrical-mechanical fan system with a purely pneumatic system. Instead of using an electric motor to create airflow, the system uses the kinetic energy of high-pressure gas to drive circulation, replacing an electrical-mechanical system with a simpler pneumatic system that has no explosion risks and fewer complexity requirements.
3Use of energy by moving object
If high-pressure gas is used to circulate air through the outer pipe, then power consumption is reduced, but gas consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by using the high-pressure gas system for dual purposes: its primary function for LNG handling and its secondary function for driving air circulation in the outer pipe. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated resources, as the existing high-pressure gas infrastructure serves both operational needs simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and utilizes the pressure energy of the high-pressure gas that would otherwise be wasted or require separate management. By channeling this existing high-pressure gas flow through the outer pipe, the system recovers energy that would be lost, converting it into useful airflow for leak detection and corrosion prevention without additional power consumption.
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 system operates in a simpler, more efficient configuration with reduced costs and power consumption, allowing for safer and more reliable air circulation and leak management, leveraging existing seawater cooling, pneumatic, or steam systems for resource efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an air suction unit connected to the air discharge line and adapted to suction and circulate the air supplied to the outer pipe from the air supply unit using a high-pressure fluid introduced thereinto. In a first embodiment, the air suction unit may be a water ejector adapted to suction the air from the outer pipe using high-pressure water introduced thereinto
Implementation Method 2
the air suction unit may be an air ejector adapted to suction the air from the outer pipe using high-pressure air introduced thereinto
Implementation Method 3
the air suction unit may be a steam ejector adapted to suction the air from the outer pipe using high-pressure steam introduced thereinto
Data Source
AI summary
A system for circulating air through double pipes for supplying gas, includes double pipes connected to a gas handling device and supplied with gas; a gas supply unit for supplying gas to the gas handling device through an inner pipe of the double pipes; an air supply unit for supplying air through an outer pipe of the double pipes; and an air suctioning means for suctioning and circulating the air, which is supplied to the outer pipe by the air supply unit, by the introduction of a high pressure fluid. Rather than circulating air through the outer pipe of the double pipes by a fan, air can be circulated through the double pipes for gas supply by a simpler structure and more effective configuration.