Liquid Piston Gas Compression System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for compressing gas from low pressure to high pressure using direct mechanical compression are expensive and difficult to maintain, as they rely on reciprocating pistons within cylinders.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a liquid piston mechanism where a pressurized gas is introduced into a chamber with a volume of liquid, and the liquid is pumped to another chamber to compress the gas to a higher pressure, using a pump and Coanda effect for efficient heat transfer and gas compression, potentially with multiple stages and mechanical piston compressors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct mechanical compression using reciprocating pistons is used to compress gas from low pressure to high pressure, then gas compression is achieved, but the system becomes expensive and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional reciprocating piston mechanical compression system with a liquid piston compression system. The liquid piston is driven by a pump rather than direct mechanical connection to a crankshaft, simplifying the mechanical complexity and improving reliability by eliminating seals and valves in the compression chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a liquid (hydraulic) piston instead of a traditional mechanical piston to compress the gas. The liquid is pumped into the compression chamber to displace and compress the gas, utilizing hydraulic principles to achieve compression with simpler mechanical components.
2Productivity
If multi-stage compression is implemented to improve compression efficiency, then compression effectiveness increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the compression process into multiple stages, with each stage having its own compression chamber and liquid piston. The gas is compressed in stages from lower to higher pressures, with intermediate cooling between stages, improving overall compression efficiency while managing heat generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary cooling stage between compression stages, where the compressed gas is cooled before entering the next compression stage. This intermediary cooling process improves compression efficiency by reducing the temperature and volume of the gas before further compression.
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 the complexity and cost of gas compression, achieving efficient high-pressure gas storage while minimizing temperature change during compression, thus enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the process.
Implementation Method 1
the first volume of liquid pumped into the second chamber compresses the first volume of gas in the second chamber to a second pressure greater than the first pressure
Implementation Method 2
A pressurized gas is admitted into the first chamber having the first volume of liquid and simultaneously pumping, using the pump, at least a portion of the first volume of liquid in the first chamber to the second chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A method of compressing a gas includes pumping, using a pump, at least a portion of a liquid contained in a first chamber to a second chamber containing a gas at a first pressure such that the portion of the liquid pumped into the second chamber compresses the gas in the second chamber to a second pressure greater than the first pressure, wherein the portion of the liquid pumped into the second chamber is admitted into the second chamber so that the admitted liquid flows along an internal surface of the second chamber.