Integrated Fuel Gas Conditioning Vessel for Compact Turbine Feed Heating

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gas turbine conditioning systems are space-intensive and costly due to the need for multiple separate pieces of equipment, which can be a challenge for facilities with limited space and higher operational expenses.

Innovation Solution

A compact fuel gas conditioning system is designed with an integrated pressure vessel containing a pre-heater unit with U-shaped electrical heater elements, an expansion valve, and a super-heater, where the gas flows in a counter-current direction through an annular passageway and inner passageway with baffles to enhance heat transfer and condensate removal, reducing the need for external flowlines and separate equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate pieces of equipment are used for pre-heating, expansion, and superheating, then the gas conditioning process can be performed effectively, but the system takes up considerable space and increases cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas conditioning effectivenessVSAvoidfacility space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate gas conditioning functions (pre-heating, expansion, superheating, and filtration) into a single integrated pressure vessel. The pre-heater unit with U-shaped heating elements, expansion valve, super-heater, and coalescing filter are all housed within one vessel, eliminating the need for multiple separate equipment pieces and reducing facility space requirements while maintaining effective gas conditioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If separate pieces of equipment are used for pre-heating, expansion, and superheating, then the gas conditioning process can be performed effectively, but the system increases operational cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas conditioning effectivenessVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate gas conditioning functions (pre-heating, expansion, superheating, and filtration) into a single integrated pressure vessel. The pre-heater unit with U-shaped heating elements, expansion valve, super-heater, and coalescing filter are all housed within one vessel, eliminating the need for multiple separate equipment pieces and reducing facility space requirements while maintaining effective gas conditioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate equipment pieces are used, then each function can be optimized independently, but the system complexity and number of external connections increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional optimizationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate gas conditioning functions (pre-heating, expansion, superheating, and filtration) into a single integrated pressure vessel. The pre-heater unit with U-shaped heating elements, expansion valve, super-heater, and coalescing filter are all housed within one vessel, eliminating the need for multiple separate equipment pieces and reducing facility space requirements while maintaining effective gas conditioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure vessel serves multiple functions simultaneously: it houses the pre-heater unit for initial heating, the expansion valve for pressure reduction, the super-heater for final heating above dew point, and the coalescing filter for condensate removal. This multi-functional integration reduces system complexity while maintaining functional optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively conditions the fuel gas to a superheated, dry state suitable for gas turbines while significantly reducing space requirements and operational costs by integrating key components within a single pressure vessel.

Implementation Method 1

one or more heating elements positioned within the passageway of the inner tubular housing, wherein each heating element extends through a corresponding passageway in each of the baffles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

feeding the inlet stream of gas into an outer passageway in a first direction; then feeding the inlet stream of gas into an inner passageway in a second direction, in opposition to the first direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCounter-current heat exchange: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS8103156B2Fuel gas conditioning system

Publication Date: 2012.01.24 GAUMER

AI summary

A feed gas conditioner.