Gas Blending Control via Feedback and Choking Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas blending and compression systems face challenges in maintaining a constant ratio of blended gases, leading to issues with intake pressure fluctuations, which can result in safety concerns and mechanical stress on compressors.
Innovation Solution
A low-pressure gas blending and compressing system that includes a blender, compressor, and control system to maintain a constant flow rate by varying the blender output pressure, using choking devices and sensors to regulate pressure and flow, ensuring a balanced operation and maintaining a predetermined pressure differential.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the rate of blending falls behind the intake rate of the compressor, then the compressor can operate at higher intake pressure, but air may be sucked into the fuel gas mixture causing safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the blending rate and compressor intake rate, and adjusts the blender operation in real-time to maintain proper pressure balance and prevent air suction into the fuel mixture
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the blending rate to match the compressor's varying intake rate, transitioning from static blending to dynamic control that adapts to changing operational conditions
2Manufacturing precision
If the rate of blending exceeds the intake rate of the compressor, then the blended gas quality can be maintained, but excessive mechanical stress is placed on the compressor
Solution Approach 1:
The control system monitors compressor intake pressure and blending rate, and adjusts operations to maintain proper pressure balance, preventing excessive stress on the compressor while ensuring consistent gas quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (blending rate, pressure differential) to optimize both gas quality and compressor loading, finding the optimal balance point for reliable operation
3Adaptability or versatility
If the compressor flow rate varies with temperature and pressure, then the compressor can operate efficiently across different conditions, but the balance between blender production and compressor consumption is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses feedback from temperature and pressure sensors to continuously adjust the blender output and compressor operation, maintaining proper balance across varying operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static operating parameters to dynamic control that adapts to changing temperature and pressure conditions, maintaining balance through real-time adjustments
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 balances blender production with compressor consumption, maintaining a stable intake pressure and preventing mechanical stress, ensuring reliable operation and safety by regulating flow and pressure through feedback control and choking devices.
Implementation Method 1
to maintain sonic flow and counteract the effect of pressure pulsations, the pressure of the separate gases supplied to the blender can be set to maintain a predetermined minimum pressure differential, relative to a downstream pressure
Implementation Method 2
a control system configured to sense operational parameters of the blender and the compressor, to sense one or more properties of the blended gas (e.g., thermal conductivity, composition, etc), and to control the operation of the blender and the compressor to maintain the quality of the blended gas
Implementation Method 3
a compressor configured to compress the blended gas to a selected pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A gas blending and compressing system includes a blender having a blending chamber configured to blend two or more separate gases into a blended gas, a compressor configured to compress the blended gas to a selected pressure, and a control system configured to sense operational parameters of the blender and the compressor, to sense one or more properties of the blended gas and to control the operation of the blender and the compressor to maintain the quality of the blended gas. A method for blending and compressing two or more gases includes the steps of: blending the separate gases into a blended gas using the blender; compressing the blended gas using the compressor; and matching a constant flow through the compressor to a selected minimum flow dependent on nominal operating parameters of the compressor. Alternate embodiment systems and methods blend separate gases at high pressure without using a compressor. Various principles are applied at high pressure including choked flow and partial pressure blending.