Integrally Geared Compressor Combining Centrifugal and PD Stages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current compressors lack an efficient solution for managing high pressure ratios and small volumes of gas, particularly in liquefied natural gas (LNG) systems, where centrifugal compressors are inefficient for high pressures and positive displacement compressors are inadequate for large volumes.
Innovation Solution
An integrally geared compressor combining centrifugal and positive displacement compression stages, with a gear system that includes multiple pinions and shafts, allowing for a combination of centrifugal and positive displacement compressor stages within a single gearbox, enabling efficient management of gas volumes and pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a centrifugal compressor is used, then large volumes of cold gas can be managed efficiently, but high pressure ratios and small volumes cannot be effectively handled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a centrifugal compression stage and a positive displacement compression stage into a single integrally geared compressor unit. The centrifugal stage handles large volumes of cold gas efficiently, while the positive displacement stage manages high pressure ratios and small volumes, allowing the system to overcome the limitations of using either compressor type alone.
2Stress or pressure
If a positive displacement compressor is used, then high pressure ratios and small volumes can be managed, but large volumes of gas cannot be effectively handled
Solution Approach 1:
The integrally geared compressor integrates both positive displacement and centrifugal compression stages in one unit. The positive displacement stage is configured to handle high pressure ratios and small volumes, while the centrifugal stage manages large volumes, enabling the system to overcome the volume limitations of positive displacement compressors alone.
3Reliability
If separate centrifugal and positive displacement compressors are used, then each can operate in its optimal range, but the system complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the centrifugal compression stage and positive displacement compression stage into a single integrally geared compressor unit with a shared housing and gear system. This merger maintains the operational efficiency benefits of having both compressor types while reducing system complexity and space requirements compared to using separate compressors.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrally geared compressor is designed as a multi-functional unit that can handle both large volumes at lower pressure ratios and small volumes at high pressure ratios within a single device. The gear system connects both compression stages to a common drive, allowing the unit to adapt to different operating conditions without requiring separate compressor systems.
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 configuration allows for efficient and reliable gas compression across a wide range of pressures and volumes, effectively addressing the limitations of existing compressor technologies by integrating multiple compression stages within a single housing.
Implementation Method 1
centrifugal compressors efficiently and reliably manage large volumes of cold gas
Implementation Method 2
positive displacement compressors can be used to manage high pressure ratios and small volumes of gas
Data Source
AI summary
Combining at least one centrifugal compression stage and at least one positive displacement compression stage in an integrally geared compressor to allow for different types of compression based on a temperature or a volume of gas to be compressed by the integrally geared compressor.