Gas Conditioning Flowpaths for Wide-Range Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas conditioning systems for frac engines are inadequate in handling unconditioned gas with debris and pressure variations, leading to potential engine damage and inefficiencies due to the need for frequent adjustments and venting to atmosphere.
Innovation Solution
A dual-flowpath gas conditioning system with adjustable pressure regulators and valves that can switch between low and high pressure settings, integrated with debris removal and liquid scrubbing, allowing instantaneous adaptation to varying gas conditions and eliminating atmospheric venting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single pressure regulator is used in conventional gas conditioning systems, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot handle wide pressure ranges and requires frequent adjustments and venting
Solution Approach 1:
The gas conditioning system is divided into multiple flowpaths (first flowpath with first pressure regulator, second flowpath with second pressure regulator) that operate in parallel. Each flowpath is configured to handle specific pressure ranges, allowing the system to process gas across wide pressure ranges (e.g., 100 psi to 1440 psi) by selecting the appropriate flowpath based on incoming gas pressure conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates flowpath valves that can dynamically switch between different flowpaths based on the pressure conditions of the incoming gas. This dynamic switching capability allows the system to adapt to varying pressure ranges without requiring frequent manual adjustments or venting, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
2Reliability
If conventional gas conditioning systems vent gas to atmosphere when pressure regulation is needed, then pressure control is achieved, but energy is lost and emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The parallel flowpath configuration with multiple pressure regulators enables continuous pressure regulation across varying gas pressures without interrupting gas flow to the frac engine. The system can maintain continuous useful action by routing gas through the appropriate flowpath based on pressure conditions, eliminating the need to vent gas to atmosphere and preventing energy loss.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a dual-flowpath system with multiple pressure regulators is implemented, then wide pressure ranges can be handled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flowpath valves serve multiple functions: they direct gas flow to appropriate pressure regulators based on pressure conditions, and can be integrated with the debris removal system. The parallel flowpath configuration allows each regulator to be optimized for specific pressure ranges while the overall system maintains a relatively compact structure, reducing the impact of increased component count.
4Reliability
If frequent system modifications are made to handle pressure variations, then gas conditioning effectiveness is maintained, but downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is pre-configured with multiple flowpaths and pressure regulators designed to handle different pressure ranges before operation begins. The flowpath valves are set up to automatically or manually select the appropriate flowpath based on incoming gas pressure conditions, eliminating the need for frequent system modifications during operation and reducing downtime.
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
Enables efficient and safe gas conditioning across wide pressure ranges, reducing downtime and emissions, and ensuring consistent fuel quality for frac engines without the need for frequent system modifications or atmospheric venting.
Implementation Method 1
The strainer is configured to remove debris from the gas
Implementation Method 2
a first pressure regulator that is configured to regulate a pressure of the gas by a first amount
Data Source
AI summary
A system for conditioning a gas includes an inlet configured to receive the gas from a gas source. The system also includes a strainer downstream from the inlet. The strainer is configured to remove debris from the gas. The system also includes a first flowpath downstream from the strainer. The first flowpath includes a first pressure regulator that is configured to regulate a pressure of the gas by a first amount. The system also includes a second flowpath downstream from the strainer. The first and second flowpaths are parallel. The second flowpath includes a second pressure regulator that is configured to regulate the pressure of the gas by a second amount. The system also includes one or more flowpath valves downstream from the strainer and upstream from the first pressure regulator, the second pressure regulator, or both.