Instrument Gas Capture System for Methane Emission Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems in the oil and gas industry vent natural gas used to actuate valves to the atmosphere, contributing to methane emissions, and the use of air compressors is not feasible in all locations due to cost and accessibility issues.
Innovation Solution
The systems and methods capture and recapture natural gas used for actuating valves, utilizing it as fuel for the combustion engine driver and increasing its pressure for reuse, preventing venting to the environment and optimizing its utilization within the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If natural gas is vented to atmosphere to actuate valves, then valve actuation is achieved, but methane emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers natural gas that would otherwise be vented to atmosphere by capturing it in a collection tank and routing it back to the fuel supply, thereby eliminating methane emissions while maintaining valve actuation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful vented natural gas into a beneficial resource by capturing it and using it as fuel for the combustion engine driver, transforming an environmental hazard into a useful energy source
2Object-generated harmful factors
If air compressor is used to provide pneumatic signal, then valve actuation without emissions is achieved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the natural gas fuel supply itself to provide the pneumatic signal for valve actuation, eliminating the need for a separate air compressor and reducing system complexity while maintaining zero emissions
Solution Approach 2:
The natural gas fuel supply serves dual purposes: as fuel for the combustion engine driver and as the pneumatic medium for valve actuation, eliminating the need for separate air compressor infrastructure
3Object-generated harmful factors
If natural gas is recaptured and reused as fuel, then emissions are reduced, but gas pressure must be increased for reuse
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the pressure parameter of the recaptured natural gas by compressing it to the required pressure level for reuse in the fuel supply, enabling emissions reduction while maintaining operational requirements
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 approach reduces environmental emissions by reusing natural gas as fuel, enhancing the efficiency of valve actuation without the need for air compressors, and allowing for continuous operation without venting gases to the atmosphere, even in locations without utility power.
Implementation Method 1
it is common to have 'high' pressure gas readily available. Many of these devices can be run with a pneumatic signal from 30-80 psig. It has been customary to use natural gas from the fuel system or the process system to actuate these valves.
Implementation Method 2
a gas compressor for compressing natural gas
Implementation Method 3
It is the differential pressure (the 30-80 psig relative to atmospheric pressure) that creates the motive force to move the valve or actuator.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a gas actuated device and the gas actuated device is configured to receive and release gas associated with actuating the gas actuated device. An actuation gas return path is associated gas actuated device and the actuation gas return is path configured to not vent to atmosphere. A method of reducing gas emissions includes providing a first compressor, operating a gas actuated device using actuation gas, and reusing the actuation gas instead of venting the actuation gas to atmosphere or environment.