Gas-Liquid Separation Device with Segmented Dual-Path Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas-liquid separation devices, particularly those with 'tube-in-tube' structures, face inefficiencies due to mixing of unconverted gases with liquids, requiring high precision and complex processing, leading to increased costs and assembly complexity.

Innovation Solution

A gas-liquid separation device with a vortex generation region, fluid conversion region, and fluid separation region, featuring a hollow tube design with varying diameters and cross-sectional shapes, where a gaseous vortex is generated, converted to liquid, and separated using centrifugal forces within distinct passages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a 'tube-in-tube' structure is used for gas-liquid separation, then the separation function is provided, but unconverted gaseous fluid mixes with converted liquid fluid and discharged through the same path, affecting separation efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidfluid mixing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the fluid discharge system into two separate paths: an inner tube for liquid discharge and an outer tube for gas discharge. This segmentation prevents mixing of converted and unconverted fluids, directly resolving the harmful effect of fluid mixing while maintaining separation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the liquid discharge function from the common discharge path by providing a dedicated inner tube that extends through the condensation section. This allows liquid to be removed separately from the gas phase, eliminating the mixing problem inherent in single-path discharge systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a 'tube-in-tube' structure is used, then gas-liquid separation is achieved, but high assembly precision and complex processing technique are required, increasing production and manufacturing costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation functionVSAvoidassembly precision requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into modular sections (condensation section, separation section, discharge section) that can be manufactured independently and assembled. The inner tube and outer tube are separate components with simplified connection requirements, reducing assembly precision demands compared to traditional nested tube designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a concentric tube-in-tube arrangement to a parallel channel structure where inner and outer tubes run adjacent to each other. This dimensional reconfiguration simplifies manufacturing and assembly by eliminating the need for precise concentric alignment while maintaining the dual-path discharge function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If conventional condenser structure is used, then phase conversion occurs, but converted liquid and unconverted gas are discharged through the same path, requiring complex separation mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation mechanism complexityVSAvoidseparation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge system is segmented into two independent channels: the inner tube dedicated to liquid discharge and the outer tube dedicated to gas discharge. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex separation mechanisms at the discharge point, as separation occurs continuously along the tube lengths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid discharge path is extracted and isolated from the gas discharge path through the inner tube configuration. This allows each fluid phase to be discharged independently through its own dedicated channel, simplifying the overall separation mechanism while improving separation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 design enhances separation efficiency by effectively separating liquids from non-condensed gases, simplifies assembly, and reduces production and manufacturing costs by minimizing the need for high precision and complex processing.

Implementation Method 1

a vortex generating region, used for receiving a gaseous fluid and providing a gaseous vortex

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVortex generation: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 2

a fluid conversion region, used for receiving the gaseous vortex and providing a liquid fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 3

a fluid separation region that includes a first fluid passage for receiving the liquid fluid and a second fluid passage for receiving the gaseous fluid which is not converted into the liquid fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Data Source

PatentEP3363520B1Gas-liquid separation device and method
Publication Date: 2023.01.25 BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
  • EP3363520B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3363520B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention discloses a gas-liquid separation device (1), including: a vortex generating region (11), used for receiving a gaseous fluid and providing a gaseous vortex; a fluid conversion region (12), used for receiving the gaseous vortex and providing a liquid fluid; and a fluid separation region (13) that includes a first fluid passage (131) for receiving the liquid fluid and a second fluid passage (132) for receiving the gaseous fluid which is not converted into liquid fluid, wherein a cross section of the fluid separation region has a first width and a second width, the first width is greater than the second width, and the first fluid passage is connected with the second fluid passage at the position of the first width. The present invention also discloses a gas-liquid separation method.