Electric Compressor Container Layout for High-Flow Oil Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oil field and offshore drilling sites face space and sound constraints due to large diesel-driven compressor packages, which generate excessive heat and require costly maintenance with significant downtime, especially in remote locations.
Innovation Solution
A portable container package with multiple electrically powered air compressors, oriented in opposing directions, reduces heat and sound, increases power density, and eliminates maintenance costs by integrating a split cooler system within a standardized footprint, enabling 40-100% more flow than diesel solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If large arrays of diesel-driven compressor packages are arranged to meet high compressed air requirements, then compressed air flow is improved, but space consumption and sound level increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple compressor units are integrated into a single container package, combining their functions and sharing common components such as the cooler system. This merging approach achieves high compressed air flow output while occupying minimal space, directly resolving the contradiction between productivity and space consumption
2Power
If diesel engines are used to drive compressors, then power output is achieved, but heat generation and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces diesel engines with electric motors to drive the compressors. This substitution eliminates the combustion process and associated heat generation, while maintaining the required power output. The electric motors provide the same mechanical power without the thermal byproducts of internal combustion engines
3Productivity
If diesel-driven compressors are deployed in remote locations, then compressed air supply is provided, but maintenance downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing diesel engines with electric motors, the system eliminates complex combustion mechanisms, fuel injection systems, and exhaust systems that require maintenance. Electric motors have fewer moving parts and no combustion-related wear, dramatically reducing maintenance requirements and downtime in remote locations where service support is limited
4Area of stationary object
If multiple compressors are packaged in a container, then space efficiency is improved, but thermal management becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple compressor units into a shared cooler system within the container. This merging of thermal management resources allows efficient heat dissipation from multiple compressors through common cooling infrastructure, resolving the thermal management challenge while maintaining space efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the heat generated by multiple compressors into a manageable thermal load by implementing a shared cooler system that efficiently dissipates the combined heat. The close proximity of compressors, which initially creates thermal management challenges, is transformed into an opportunity for efficient heat exchange and reduced overall cooling requirements through the shared cooler 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
The system provides a reliable, high-flow air supply with reduced maintenance and downtime, suitable for oil field and offshore applications, by using electric motors and optimizing airflow and cooling within a compact, stackable container design.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor (401-1, 401-2) and an air compressor (400-1, 400-2)
Implementation Method 2
a split cooler system
Data Source
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AI summary
Example implementations involve a system involving a portable container package that includes a first air compressor and a second air compressor disposed therein in a side-by-side configuration and oriented in opposing directions. The first air compressor and the second air compressor each have a corresponding electric motor, and a split cooler disposed on opposite ends of the portable container package. Air vents are supplied on opposite sides of the portable container package so that air flow can be received through the air vents to a corresponding air compressor.