Liquid-Driven Piston Compressor for Low-Pressure Gas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas compression technologies at low pressure are energy-intensive and require frequent maintenance, with dynamic compressors being sensitive to load composition and flow variations, and positive displacement compressors having limited compression ratios and high energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a compression chamber with a piston and liquid displacement system, where the piston is moved by increasing liquid pressure to compress gas, reducing energy costs by leveraging the lower energy required to compress liquid compared to gas, and incorporating features like non-return valves and liquid retention valves to enhance compression efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional compressors (positive displacement or dynamic) are used to compress low-pressure gas, then gas compression is achieved, but energy consumption is very high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces liquid as an intermediary medium to transfer energy for compression. Instead of directly compressing gas with high-energy-consuming compressors, the system uses a pump to pressurize liquid, which then moves a piston to compress gas. The liquid serves as a mediator that converts mechanical energy from the pump into useful compression work with much lower energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies hydraulic principles by using liquid pressure to drive the compression process. The pump pressurizes liquid in a chamber, and this hydraulic pressure moves the piston to compress gas. This hydraulic approach is significantly more energy-efficient than direct mechanical compression methods, reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable compression.
2Reliability
If multiple compression stages with intermediate cooling are used to achieve targeted compression ratio, then compression effectiveness is improved, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compression chamber is segmented into distinct functional zones: a gas compression chamber and a liquid pressure chamber. The piston divides these spaces, allowing independent optimization of each function. This segmentation enables simple single-stage compression while achieving effective compression ratios, avoiding the need for complex multi-stage systems with intermediate cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The single compression chamber serves multiple functions simultaneously: it compresses gas, pressurizes liquid, and uses the liquid pressure to drive the piston. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate compression stages and cooling systems, simplifying the overall process while maintaining effective compression ratios.
3Reliability
If positive displacement compressors are used, then compression is achieved, but maintenance frequency increases and availability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical compression mechanisms with a simpler hydraulic-piston system. Instead of using wear-prone mechanical compressors with moving seals and valves, the system uses a pump-driven liquid pressure system that moves a piston. This substitution reduces mechanical wear and maintenance requirements while maintaining compression capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating parameters by using liquid pressure instead of direct mechanical compression. The pump maintains controlled liquid pressure parameters, which then drive the piston compression. This parameter-based control approach reduces mechanical stress and wear on components, lowering maintenance frequency and improving availability.
4Productivity
If dynamic compressors are used, then continuous power flow is achieved, but sensitivity to load composition and flow variation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a dynamically adjustable piston position controlled by liquid pressure. The piston can move freely in response to varying liquid pressure conditions, allowing the compressor to adapt to different load compositions and flow variations. This dynamic response mechanism maintains continuous operation while reducing sensitivity to changing operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid pressure parameter serves as a flexible control mechanism that can adjust to varying load conditions. As liquid pressure changes in response to flow variations, the piston automatically adjusts its position and compression action. This parameter-based adaptation reduces sensitivity to load composition changes while maintaining continuous productivity.
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 solution significantly reduces energy costs for gas compression by using liquid pressure to move the piston, allowing for efficient compression of gas to high pressures while minimizing energy expenditure and maintaining operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
under the action of the increase in the pressure of the liquid in the compression chamber, the piston is moved and compresses the gas
Implementation Method 2
the liquid pressure to move the piston, allowing for efficient compression of gas to high pressures
Implementation Method 3
a pressure measurement means gas inside the compression chamber and a gas recirculation circuit towards the inlet of a compression chamber when the measured pressure is below a determined limit value
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The device (100) for compressing a low-pressure gas comprises: - at least one compression chamber (105) comprising: - a low-pressure gas inlet (110); - a high-pressure gas outlet (115); - a liquid inlet (120); - a liquid outlet (125); and - a piston (130) located between the gas inlet and outlet, on the one hand, and the liquid inlet and outlet, on the other hand; - a liquid movement means (135) positioned on a liquid circuit connecting a liquid outlet and a liquid inlet of a compression chamber; and - a means (165) for measuring the pressure of the gas inside the compression chamber and a circuit (160) for recirculating the gas towards the inlet of a compression chamber when the measured pressure is below a determined limit value.