Inert Gas Backup for Air Compressors During Power Outages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic devices in the oil and gas industry emit significant methane emissions when powered by natural gas, and existing backup systems for compressed instrument air systems fail to operate during power outages, leading to wellsite shutdowns.
Innovation Solution
A backup system utilizing inert gases like nitrogen, helium, or argon to power pneumatic devices when compressed air fails, controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC) that detects compressor status and activates inert gas supply when pressure drops below set points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If natural gas is used to power pneumatic devices, then pneumatic devices can operate without electrical power, but methane emissions are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the inert atmosphere principle by using inert gas (such as nitrogen) instead of natural gas to power pneumatic devices. The inert gas supply unit provides an inert environment that eliminates methane emissions while maintaining the ability to operate pneumatic devices without electrical power, directly resolving the contradiction between operational independence and environmental harm
2Object-generated harmful factors
If compressed instrument air systems are used to eliminate methane emissions, then methane emissions are reduced, but the system fails during power outages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing an inert gas supply unit that is pre-filled with inert gas and ready to activate automatically when the air compressor fails. The controller detects compressor failure and immediately opens the valve to supply inert gas, ensuring continuous operation during power outages without requiring the compressor to be running
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by maintaining a储备 (reserve) of inert gas in the supply unit specifically to cushion against compressor failure. This pre-positioned resource ensures that when the primary air compression system fails, there is already an alternative power source ready to take over, maintaining reliability during power outages
3Reliability
If redundant air compressors are installed to maintain operation during power loss, then continuity is improved, but the backup compressors cannot operate without electrical power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the inert atmosphere principle to the backup system by using inert gas instead of compressed air that requires electrical compression. The inert gas supply unit provides a self-contained, electricity-independent power source that can operate pneumatic devices during power outages, resolving the contradiction between reliability and operational independence
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides backup systems for air compressors. The systems can detect an air compressor failure and/or low instrument air pressure and activate a backup inert gas power source to maintain functionality of compressed air-powered pneumatic devices at a wellsite. The backup systems can provide a working fluid in the form of an inert gas to the compressed air-powered pneumatic devices.