In-Situ Gas Compressor Cleaning via Liquid Agent Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for cleaning gas compressors, such as offline cleaning and solvent addition, are inefficient and can cause environmental concerns, especially in inaccessible locations like subsea platforms.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the in-situ injection of a liquid cleaning agent into the gas compressor, which remains in a liquid state as it passes through the fouled areas, effectively removing deposited solids without disrupting normal compressor operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If offline cleaning is used to remove solid deposits from the compressor, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but system downtime increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidsystem downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid cleaning agent is supplied to the compressor inlet before the compression process, allowing the cleaning action to occur during normal operation rather than requiring shutdown. The liquid phase cleaning agent is introduced in advance to interact with deposits on compressor surfaces as gas passes through.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning process occurs continuously during compressor operation without interruption. The liquid cleaning agent is continuously supplied to the inlet and acts on deposits throughout the compression process, eliminating the need to stop the system for cleaning maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Reliability

If solvent is added to the gas stream for online cleaning, then cleaning action is achieved, but environmental harm and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveonline cleaning capabilityVSAvoidenvironmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning agent is supplied in liquid phase rather than vapor phase, changing the physical state parameter. This liquid phase supply method allows for better control of the cleaning agent quantity and reduces environmental harm compared to vaporized solvents. The liquid cleaning agent is introduced through dedicated supply lines that control flow rate and distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid cleaning agent is supplied in sufficient quantity to effectively clean the compressor and is then discharged with the outlet gas stream. Rather than recovering and reusing the cleaning agent, a continuous supply of fresh liquid cleaning agent is used, which is simpler and more environmentally friendly than solvent recovery systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If liquid cleaning agent is supplied to the compressor inlet, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but liquid vaporization may cause additional fouling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidadditional fouling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid cleaning agent is supplied in excess quantity to ensure complete coverage and effective cleaning of all compressor surfaces. The excessive liquid ensures that even with vaporization during compression, sufficient liquid remains to dissolve and remove deposits without leaving residual fouling behind.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid cleaning agent acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates the removal of solid deposits. It is introduced in liquid phase, interacts with deposits during compression, and the mixture of vaporized cleaning agent, removed deposits, and remaining liquid is discharged to a separation system that removes liquid before gas enters downstream equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If the cleaning agent remains in liquid state through the compressor, then cleaning action is maintained, but downstream equipment may be affected by liquid

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning action maintenanceVSAvoiddownstream equipment impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid phase cleaning agent and removed deposits are extracted from the gas stream using a separation system downstream of the compressor. The separation system removes the liquid phase containing the cleaning agent and dissolved deposits, allowing the cleaned gas to proceed to downstream equipment without liquid contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a separator that replicates the liquid-gas separation function that naturally occurs in the compression process. By providing a dedicated separation stage, the system ensures that liquid cleaning agent is removed from the gas stream before it reaches downstream equipment, while maintaining the beneficial cleaning action during compression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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

This method allows for efficient removal of compressor fouling without shutting down the processing system, reducing downtime and preventing solids from affecting downstream processing stages.

Implementation Method 1

supplying a liquid cleaning agent to a gas inlet of the gas compressor, the liquid cleaning agent being capable of removing the deposited solid material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

passing the cleaning agent through the gas compressor to a gas outlet of the gas compressor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid washing: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 3

at least a portion of the cleaning agent remains in a liquid state as it passes through the fouled portion of the gas compressor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure control: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 4

wherein at least a portion of the cleaning agent remains in a liquid state as it passes through the fouled portion of the gas compressor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature control: Cooling

Implementation Method 5

recovering a fluid containing removed material that is output from the gas compressor so as to prevent the removed material reaching one or more gas processing stages

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase separation: Centrifugal Separation

Data Source

PatentUS12296364B2Gas compressor cleaning

Publication Date: 2025.05.13 EQUINOR ENERGY AS

AI summary

A method of cleaning deposited solid material from a fouled portion of a gas compressor (6) whilst the gas compressor (6) is in situ in a natural gas processing system (1) is provided. The method comprises the steps of supplying a liquid cleaning agent to a gas inlet of the gas compressor (6), the liquid cleaning agent being capable of removing the deposited solid material; passing the liquid cleaning agent through the gas compressor (6) to a gas outlet of the gas compressor (6), wherein at least a portion of the cleaning agent remains in a liquid state as it passes through the fouled portion of the gas compressor (6); and recovering a fluid containing removed material that is output from the gas compressor (6) so as to prevent the removed material reaching one or more gas processing stages of the gas processing system (1) downstream of the gas compressor (6).