Liquid Piston Multistage Compressor for Variable-Pressure Gas Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas compressors for gas-fuelled engines and liquefaction systems face high overhaul costs and inefficiencies due to solid piston technology, and they struggle to supply compressed gas at varying pressure requirements to multiple devices without significant system modifications.
Innovation Solution
A liquid piston gas multistage compressor system with adjustable compressor stages, pressure sensors, and regulation means to match wide ranges of pressure and consumption requirements, allowing easy adaptation and reliable operation control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solid piston gas compressors are used, then gas compression function is achieved, but overhaul costs increase and operating time losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces solid piston reciprocating mechanisms with a liquid piston hydraulic compression system. High-pressure liquid (water) is used to directly compress gas in a compression chamber, eliminating solid pistons, crankshafts, and camshafts. This hydraulic approach resolves the contradiction by providing reliable continuous operation without the mechanical wear and overhaul requirements of solid piston components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes the mechanical solid piston-crankshaft-camshaft system with a hydraulic liquid piston system driven by a motor-pump unit. This replacement eliminates the need for complex mechanical transmission components that require frequent maintenance and overhaul, thereby reducing operating time losses and overhaul costs while maintaining compression functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single gas outlet is used, then system design is simplified, but the system cannot supply different pressure values to multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single gas outlet into multiple separate gas outlets (first gas outlet and second gas outlet), each capable of delivering gas at different pressure levels. The compression system is segmented into multiple compression stages with intermediate gas outlets, allowing each stage to serve different pressure requirements. This segmentation enables the system to supply different pressure values to multiple devices while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates adjustable draw-off valves at intermediate gas outlets that can dynamically regulate gas flow and pressure distribution to different devices. This dynamic control capability allows the system to adapt pressure delivery to multiple devices without requiring complete redesign, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If compressor stages are fixed, then system design is simplified, but the system cannot adapt to varying pressure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adjustable and reconfigurable compressor stages with controllable draw-off points at intermediate stages. The number of active compression stages can be dynamically adjusted based on the required pressure level, and draw-off valves can be positioned at different stages to deliver gas at various pressure points. This dynamic configuration capability allows the system to adapt to varying pressure requirements without substantial design modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression system is designed with multi-functional compressor stages that can operate in different configurations to serve multiple pressure requirements. Each compression stage can function independently or in combination with other stages, and intermediate outlets can draw off gas at different pressure levels. This universal design enables a single system to handle a wide range of pressure demands across different devices.
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 effectively supplies compressed gas at varying pressures to multiple devices with reduced operational costs and avoids the drawbacks of reciprocating pumps, enabling efficient and flexible gas delivery for gas-fuelled engines and liquefaction systems.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid piston gas multistage compressor which comprises at least two compressor stages connected serially in an ordered chain between the gas intake and the end gas outlet. Each compressor stage comprises at least one cylinder which is supplied with driving liquid, and comprises also a liquid high-pressure supply device which is arranged for alternately increasing and decreasing a driving liquid quantity contained within the cylinder, so as to load, compress and discharge gas at the compressor stage
Implementation Method 2
a first pressure sensor which is arranged for sensing gas pressure at the gas intake, a second pressure sensor which is arranged for sensing gas pressure at the intermediate gas outlet upstream the draw-off valve with respect to the gas flow direction in the intermediate gas outlet, and a third pressure sensor which is arranged for sensing gas pressure at the end gas outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A system for supplying compressed gas to several gas-fed devices is based on a liquid piston gas multistage compressor (100). Gas pressure measurements performed at a gas intake (10), an intermediate gas outlet (20) and at an end gas outlet (30) of the system allow controlling respective gas capacities of the compressor stages. Easy and reliable control can thus be obtained for the system operation. Varying the number of the compressor stages allows matching any pressure requirements for the gas delivery to all the gas-fed devices, and varying the gas capacities of the compressor stages allows easy adaptation to variable gas consumptions of the gas-fed devices.