Gas-Driven Compressor With Shuttle Valve for Low-Pressure Gas Reinjection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid control systems, such as valves and regulators, require low-pressure gas operation which cannot be reinjected into the system, necessitating additional compression infrastructure or venting to atmosphere, posing environmental and logistical challenges, especially in remote locations.
Innovation Solution
A gas-driven compressor system that utilizes process media to drive a piston for compressing fluid and reinjecting it back into the system, incorporating a shuttle valve and multiple piston cavities to manage fluid flow and pressure differentials for efficient compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional fluid control systems use low-pressure gas operation, then the system can operate with simple infrastructure, but the low-pressure gas cannot be reinjected into the system requiring additional compression infrastructure or venting to atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the compression function with the fluid control system by integrating a compression device that uses the process gas itself to compress and reinject the low-pressure gas back into the system, eliminating the need for separate compression infrastructure and enabling full gas utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own process gas to power the compression device, creating a self-sufficient system where the process media drives the compression and reinjection process without requiring external energy sources or additional infrastructure
2Loss of substance
If additional compression infrastructure is added to reinject low-pressure gas, then gas reinjection capability is improved, but system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The compression device serves multiple functions: it compresses low-pressure gas for reinjection, uses process gas as its power source, and integrates with the existing fluid control system, thereby reducing the need for separate dedicated compression infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic principles where process gas is utilized to drive the compression mechanism through pressure differentials, enabling compression functionality through gas pressure rather than requiring external mechanical or electrical compression systems
3Ease of operation
If low-pressure gas is vented to atmosphere, then system operation is simplified, but environmental sustainability and gas utilization are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding low-pressure gas to atmosphere, the system recovers it by compressing and reinjecting it back into the fluid system, thereby eliminating waste and improving environmental sustainability while maintaining operational efficiency
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 repressurizes low-pressure process gas and reinjects it into the system, reducing the need for external compression infrastructure and minimizing atmospheric venting, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
a first head portion movable within the first piston cavity by the pressurized inlet flow
Implementation Method 2
a second head portion movable within the second piston cavity by the movement of the first head portion within the first piston cavity to compress a fluid in the second piston cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A gas-driven compressor system includes a compressor body with first and second piston cavities and a shuttle valve cavity. The system has a low pressure outlet and high pressure inlet communicating with the first piston cavity via the shuttle valve cavity, and compressor inlet/outlet ports communicating with the second piston cavity. A shuttle valve moves between first and second positions within its cavity. The piston has a first head portion movable by pressurized inlet flow and a second head portion that compresses fluid in the second cavity. The piston selectively directs flow from the high pressure inlet to either side of the shuttle valve cavity based on piston position, thereby directing pressurized flow to either side of the first head portion. This arrangement powers the reciprocating movement of the piston.