Fuel driven near isothermal compressor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas compression processes are energy-intensive and inefficient due to multiple energy conversion steps and adiabatic compression methods, leading to significant energy losses and high primary-energy-use intensity.
Innovation Solution
A gas compressor system comprising a compression liquid holding tank, a combustion tank, and a compression tank, where a combustible fluid is ignited to pump compression liquid, which compresses a compressible gas isothermally, reducing energy losses by eliminating intermediate energy conversion steps and using a hydraulic pressure intensifier to enhance pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If adiabatic compression is used in state-of-the-art compressors, then compression speed and power output are improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to high energy losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor through combustion, where water is converted to high-pressure steam that directly drives the compression process. This phase transition enables efficient energy transfer from fuel combustion to mechanical work, reducing energy losses compared to traditional adiabatic compression
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical compression system with a thermodynamic system where combustion-generated pressure waves and steam expansion directly compress the gas. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical moving parts and reduces energy losses associated with mechanical friction and heat generation
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple energy conversion steps are used from power plant to compressor, then electricity can be transmitted and distributed, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to compounding energy losses at each step
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the compression function from the electrical grid system and implements it directly at the point of use through a fuel-driven combustion system. This eliminates the need for multiple energy conversion steps (fuel→shaft power→electricity→transmission→shaft power→compression) and reduces primary energy use intensity by performing compression locally
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces water/steam as an intermediary medium that transfers energy directly from fuel combustion to gas compression. This intermediary enables efficient energy transfer without requiring electrical conversion and transmission, reducing energy losses while maintaining the ability to transmit and distribute compressed gas
3Loss of energy
If isothermal compression is achieved, then energy efficiency is improved by reducing specific energy consumption, but system complexity increases due to additional components needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the compression process with the combustion process in a single integrated system. The combustion chamber serves dual purposes: generating power and performing compression, eliminating the need for separate compression equipment and reducing overall system complexity while achieving energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the heat and pressure generated by combustion itself to drive the compression process, rather than requiring external cooling systems or additional energy inputs. The combustion products directly compress the gas, making the system self-sufficient and reducing complexity
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 achieves near-isothermal compression efficiency, reducing specific energy consumption by 10-24% compared to adiabatic compression, and enables site utilization of natural gas to drive compression, potentially saving up to 10,000 TBTU of primary energy annually.
Implementation Method 1
The compression liquid is pumped by the pump from the compression liquid holding tank to the combustion tank, compressing the combustible fluid
Implementation Method 2
The combustible fluid is ignited by the ignition system causing the compression liquid to flow from the combustion tank to the compression tank
Implementation Method 3
The compression liquid flows from the combustion tank to the compression tank, compressing the compressible gas in the compression tank. The compressing of the compressible gas can be isothermal
Data Source
AI summary
A gas compressor system includes a compression liquid holding tank in fluid communication with a combustion tank. A combustible fluid is directed to the combustion tank. An ignition system is provided for igniting the combustible fluid. A compression liquid flows between the liquid holding tank, the combustion tank, and a compression tank. A compressible gas is provided in the compression tank. The ignition of the combustible fluid drives the compression liquid from the combustion tank to the compression tank, compressing the compressible liquid. An HVAC&R system and a method of compressing gas are also disclosed.