Natural Gas Filtration Vessel With Disk-Shaped Filter Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional filtration systems for natural gas processing are costly, prone to downtime due to frequent filter element replacements, and restrict gas flow, as they are bulky, difficult to handle, and require multiple access points for maintenance, leading to increased operational costs and maintenance issues.
Innovation Solution
A filtration system utilizing a pressure vessel with a single access port and disk-shaped filter elements that can be easily installed and removed, allowing for axial and radial loading, which reduces downtime and maintains efficient gas flow without the need for frequent replacements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cartridge-type filter elements are used, then filtration efficiency is improved, but device complexity and handling difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is divided into a modular assembly consisting of a separate filter media element and support structure. The filter media can be independently replaced without replacing the entire cartridge assembly, simplifying maintenance while maintaining high filtration efficiency through the pleated media design.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter media element is nested within the pressure vessel as a removable insert. The pleated filter media is contained within a support structure that fits inside the pressure vessel, allowing the media to be replaced independently while maintaining the overall system integrity and high efficiency filtration capability.
2Reliability
If multiple cartridge-type filter elements are used, then filtration capacity is improved, but maintenance downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple filter media elements are combined into a single pressure vessel assembly where all filter media can be accessed and replaced through one common access point. This merging of multiple filter elements into one maintainable unit eliminates the need to access multiple separate cartridges, reducing maintenance downtime while maintaining total filtration capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure vessel assembly serves as a universal container for multiple filter media elements, all of which can be serviced through a single access mechanism. This multi-functional design allows the system to maintain high filtration capacity through multiple media elements while enabling simplified maintenance through unified access, reducing the time loss associated with servicing each element separately.
3Reliability
If high-efficiency filter elements are used, then contaminant removal is improved, but gas flow restriction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter media is configured in a pleated arrangement that increases the effective filtration surface area in the radial dimension. This dimensional change allows high-efficiency contaminant removal across a larger surface area while maintaining adequate gas flow through the depth of the pleated structure, preventing excessive flow restriction.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter media utilizes porous material with controlled pore sizes that allow gas molecules to pass through while trapping contaminants. The porous structure provides multiple flow paths through the media depth, maintaining gas flow productivity while achieving high contaminant removal efficiency through the porous filtration mechanism.
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 provides a cost-effective solution with reduced downtime and maintenance costs by allowing easy installation and removal of disk-shaped filter elements, maintaining efficient gas flow and extending the lifespan of filter elements through depth-loading media that traps contaminants throughout its thickness.
Implementation Method 1
depth-loading filter media that traps contaminants throughout its thickness
Data Source
AI summary
A filtration device that includes a pressure vessel having an inlet and an outlet, the filtration device configured to filter a pressurized fluid stream. In an embodiment, the filtration device has at least one disk-shaped filter element housed within the pressure vessel arranged to filter fluid flowing from the inlet to the outlet, and an inlet flow tube disposed within the pressure vessel proximate the inlet tube, wherein the inlet flow tube is configured to direct the pressurized fluid stream from the inlet tube towards a central portion of the at least one disk-shaped filter element.