Gas-saving device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing facilities for liquefied petroleum gases and natural gas suffer from reduced fuel efficiency and increased polluting emissions due to pressure drops and impurities in the gas supply, which are not effectively addressed by current technologies.

Innovation Solution

A gas saving device placed downstream of the pressure regulator, featuring a three-way T-fitting system, a steam trap with activated carbon filtration and a copper centrifugation coil, which removes impurities and rearranges gas molecules to stabilize flow and reduce friction losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If a pressure regulator is used to reduce fuel pressure, then supply pressure is controlled, but pressure drop reduces flow rate and efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupply pressureVSAvoidflow rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the gas flow path into multiple channels using T-fittings, creating parallel flow paths that reduce resistance and maintain flow rate while still achieving pressure regulation through the steam trap mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device changes the physical state of water in the steam trap to regulate pressure dynamically, using phase change from liquid to vapor to maintain optimal pressure levels without excessive pressure drop that would reduce flow rate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If gas is supplied with impurities, then supply quantity is maintained, but combustion efficiency is reduced and polluting emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas supply quantityVSAvoidpolluting emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device extracts and removes impurities from the gas stream using the steam trap mechanism, separating contaminants from the main gas flow while maintaining the quantity of clean gas supplied to combustion devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The steam trap utilizes phase transitions of water (liquid to vapor) to trap and remove impurities from the gas flow, allowing clean gas to pass through while condensing and removing contaminant-laden vapor phases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

3Ease of operation

If facility pipes and connections are used to convey gas, then gas delivery is achieved, but pressure drop and friction loss reduce efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas deliveryVSAvoidfriction loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The device introduces a vertical dimension with the steam trap chamber, allowing gas to rise and fall through phase change mechanisms rather than only horizontal flow through pipes, reducing friction losses in the horizontal conveyance paths

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

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 device improves combustion efficiency, reduces polluting emissions, and maintains facility integrity by enhancing gas flow rate and purity without requiring modifications to existing infrastructure.

Implementation Method 1

the gas is first passed through an activated carbon filter, through which all the impurities carried in the gas are eliminated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

the gas is passed through a copper coil which causes a centrifugation by means of which the rearrangement of the molecules thereof is achieved

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugation: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3147572B1Gas-saving device
Publication Date: 2021.01.13 GONZALEZ QUINTANA ALFREDO
  • EP3147572B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention consists of a saving gas device which, being placed downstream of the pressure regulator and upstream of the consuming devices, in a natural gas or liquefied petroleum gases supply facility, improves the gas consumption efficiency by means of a recirculation, filtering and centrifugation process. The action exerted on the steam trap of the device, retains the impurities the gas contains, thus improving retention of particles and achieving the gas to come out substantially pure, as well as achieving gas molecules rearrangement by means of a centrifugation coil, obtaining flow stabilization and improving the circulation thereof.