Heat Compression Recovery With Expander-Generator Power Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current compression systems, such as natural gas compressors, dissipate heat energy into ambient air, resulting in energy loss, as they lack an efficient method to recover and convert this heat energy back into usable form.
Innovation Solution
A two-phase cooling system that utilizes a heat-to-mechanical energy converter, coupled with a high-speed induction generator and medium voltage drive system, to recover heat energy from compressed gas and convert it into electricity, which is then conditioned and returned to the electrical distribution system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat energy is released into ambient air through fin fan coolers or cooling towers, then the gas is cooled effectively, but energy is lost to the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat energy that was previously lost to the environment into a beneficial resource by using it to drive a turbo expander or screw expander, which generates mechanical energy to power the compressor. This transforms the waste heat from a harmful disposal problem into a useful energy source, simultaneously achieving gas cooling and energy recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature and pressure parameters of the cooling media through the expander, where heated cooling media enters the expander at high temperature and pressure, undergoes expansion that converts thermal energy to mechanical work, and exits at lower temperature and pressure, thereby cooling the compressed gas while generating power.
2Loss of energy
If a heat recovery system using expander and generator is implemented, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the gas cooling function and the power generation function into a single integrated system. The expander serves dual purposes: it cools the compressed gas by expanding the cooling media and simultaneously generates mechanical power to drive the compressor. This combination eliminates the need for separate cooling systems and external power sources, reducing overall system complexity despite adding the expander-generator component.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling media serves multiple functions within the system: it absorbs heat from the compressed gas in the evaporator, drives the expander to generate power, and is then condensed and reused. This multi-functional use of the same media throughout the system reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the overall architecture.
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 recovers and converts heat energy into electrical energy, reducing waste and enhancing energy efficiency by integrating a turbo or screw expander with an induction generator and medium voltage drive system.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator to receive the compressed natural gas at a first temperature and to output the compressed natural gas at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, the evaporator to receive a flow of cooling media to cool the compressed natural gas and to output a flow of heated cooling media
Implementation Method 2
a condenser to condense the first cooled cooling media to provide the flow of cooling media to the evaporator
Implementation Method 3
a heat-to-mechanical energy converter coupled to the evaporator to receive the flow of heated cooling media and to output first cooled cooling media
Implementation Method 4
an induction generator coupled to be driven by the heat-to-mechanical energy converter
Data Source
AI summary
A recovery system is provided to recover energy from heat. In an embodiment, the system includes an evaporator to receive a flow of natural gas at a first temperature and output the flow at a second, lower temperature. The evaporator may receive a flow of cooling media to cool the natural gas and output a flow of heated cooling media. The system may further include: a heat-to-mechanical energy converter coupled to the evaporator to receive the flow of heated cooling media and to output first cooled cooling media; an induction generator coupled to be driven by the heat-to-mechanical energy converter; a medium voltage drive coupled to receive power from the induction generator and to condition the power for output to an electrical distribution system; and a condenser to condense the first cooled cooling media to provide the flow of cooling media to the evaporator.