Integrated Hydraulic Speed Drive for Pressure Booster Simplification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure booster systems for subsea or unmanned locations require expensive and complex variable frequency drives (VFDs) and continuous barrier fluid supplies, which are heavy, large, and prone to failure, making them unreliable and costly.
Innovation Solution
A pressure booster system integrating a hydraulic variable speed drive with a common driver side fluid for cooling, lubrication, and power, eliminating the need for a separate VFD and continuous barrier fluid supply by using a common driver side fluid to operate the motor and pump or compressor shafts, with a control system for seamless integration and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If an external variable frequency drive (VFD) is used for speed control, then speed control capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the variable frequency drive functionality directly into the pressure booster unit by coupling the motor shaft to the pump shaft through a fluid coupling device. This merging eliminates the need for a separate external VFD, reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining speed control capability through the fluid coupling mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a fluid coupling device as an intermediary between the motor shaft and pump shaft. This fluid coupling acts as a mediator that transmits and controls power transmission, enabling speed control without requiring a complex external variable frequency drive system
2Reliability
If a barrier fluid supply system is implemented for motor compartment protection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and operational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the barrier fluid supply system by using a hermetically sealed motor compartment. The motor is protected from process fluid contamination through hermetic sealing without requiring external barrier fluid supply, controlled overpressure systems, or continuous fluid circulation infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The hermetically sealed motor compartment is a self-contained system that protects the motor without requiring external barrier fluid supply infrastructure. The sealing system operates autonomously without needing continuous external control, supply lines, or sophisticated control systems for fluid pressure management
3Device complexity
If a hermetically sealed motor compartment is used to eliminate barrier fluid supply, then device complexity is reduced, but reliable hermetic sealing at high power and speed becomes more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical sealing systems with a fluid coupling device that uses fluid dynamics to transmit power while maintaining hermetic separation. The fluid coupling allows the motor shaft and pump shaft to rotate at different speeds without mechanical contact, eliminating the need for complex mechanical seals while maintaining reliable hermetic sealing at high power and speed
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 reduces costs, simplifies design, enhances reliability, and eliminates the need for external VFDs and continuous barrier fluid supplies, providing stable operation and efficient pressure boosting without mechanical contact between motor and pump shafts.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic variable speed drive arranged between the motor and the pressure booster, the hydraulic variable speed drive comprising an impeller and a turbine
Implementation Method 2
a common driver side fluid for cooling, lubricating, flushing and powering of the hydraulic variable speed drive; and cooling, lubricating and flushing of the motor and bearings
Implementation Method 3
a common driver side fluid for cooling, lubricating, flushing and powering of the hydraulic variable speed drive; and cooling, lubricating and flushing of the motor and bearings
Implementation Method 4
a hydraulic variable speed drive comprising an impeller and a turbine, wherein the impeller of the hydraulic variable speed drive is arranged on the motor shaft
Implementation Method 5
the turbine of the hydraulic variable speed drive is arranged on the pump or compressor shaft
Data Source
AI summary
Pressure booster (1) for boosting the pressure of petroleum fluids, produced water or seawater, comprising a pressure booster (2) with a motor (3), a rotatable motor shaft (4) and a rotatable pump or compressor shaft (5) where the pressure booster in the form of a centrifugal pump (2) or compressor is arranged. The pressure booster further comprises: a hydraulic variable speed drive (6) arranged between the motor and the pressure booster, the hydraulic variable speed drive comprising an impeller (7) and a turbine (8), wherein the impeller of the hydraulic variable speed drive is arranged on the motor shaft and the turbine of the hydraulic variable speed drive is arranged on the pump or compressor shaft, a common driver side fluid (10) for cooling, lubricating, flushing and powering of the hydraulic variable speed drive, and cooling, lubricating and flushing of the motor and bearings, circulated by one of an impeller (9) on the motor shaft, a pump and a hydraulic power unit, a control system (11) for controlling the coupling of the motor shaft to the pump or compressor shaft by the hydraulic variable speed drive, wherein the motor shaft drives the pump or compressor shaft via the hydraulic variable speed drive.