Minimum-Opening Landfill Gas Throttle for Pressure-Safe Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional landfill gas extraction systems face issues with complete shutdown of gas flow, leading to positive pressure at the gas output, which can result in environmental harm and regulatory violations, and require high energy consumption due to large and heavy flow control mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A throttle mechanism is integrated into the gas extraction system to control the flow of landfill gas, allowing a variable portion to flow even at maximum closure, powered by low energy sources, and equipped with a motor and gearbox to maintain position without back-drive, ensuring continuous operation and regulatory compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional flow control mechanism is used to completely shut off gas flow, then gas flow can be stopped, but positive pressure builds up at the gas output causing environmental harm and regulatory violations
Solution Approach 1:
The throttle is designed with a minimum opening that prevents complete closure, allowing a small but continuous gas flow (e.g., 1-5% of maximum flow). This partial action ensures the gas extraction system maintains negative pressure at the output, preventing the harmful positive pressure condition while still providing effective flow control for most operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter from binary (open/closed) to continuous with a constrained range, where the throttle position can be adjusted but is limited from reaching full closure. This parameter modification allows flexible flow control while inherently preventing the harmful condition of complete shutdown that causes positive pressure buildup.
2Reliability
If a large and heavy flow control mechanism is used to ensure complete shutdown, then flow control reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By designing the throttle to never require complete closure, the system avoids the energy-intensive operation of fully closing a large valve. The minimum opening requirement allows the use of smaller, lighter actuators that consume less energy, while the controlled flow through the minimum opening maintains negative pressure and prevents the harmful condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simpler, smaller throttle mechanism rather than a robust industrial valve designed for complete shutdown. This simplified component is sufficient for the application's needs (controlling flow while maintaining minimum opening), reducing both the energy required to operate it and the overall system complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a throttle mechanism is used to maintain continuous flow, then positive pressure is prevented, but the system requires additional control components
Solution Approach 1:
The throttle is pre-configured with mechanical stops or限位 devices that physically prevent the closure element from reaching full shutdown position. This preliminary action ensures that regardless of control signals, the system maintains a minimum opening and continuous flow, preventing positive pressure buildup without requiring complex control logic or additional safety systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The throttle acts as an intermediary component between the gas source and output, mediating the flow to ensure it never completely stops. By positioning this flow control element strategically in the pipeline and designing it with inherent minimum opening characteristics, the system prevents the harmful condition while adding only a single, well-integrated component rather than multiple complex control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for extracting landfill gas from a landfill is provided. According to some embodiments, a control system for landfill gas extraction is provided. The control system uses a throttle to control flow of landfill gas extracted from the landfill. The throttle is actuated in use to vary the flow of gas between a well and a gas collection system, in accordance with a control algorithm that adjusts flow as a parameter in controlling gas extraction. The throttle is configured to ensure that there is at least some flow of landfill gas from the landfill to a gas output throughout operation. The extraction system provides an efficient system for landfill gas extraction, while mitigating a risk of creating undesired or unpleasant conditions and/or of violating regulations during operation.