Dual-Stage Mist Separator Preventing Hydrocarbon Revaporization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mist separation systems for natural gas on ships and vessels face challenges in efficiently separating liquid hydrocarbons from gas streams, leading to potential damage in compressors and fuel quality issues due to the enrichment of higher hydrocarbons when both naturally and forcibly vaporized gases are used.
Innovation Solution
A dual-separator mist separation apparatus with a main vessel having a first inlet for a gas stream and a second inlet for a higher-temperature gas stream, where both separators are designed to disengage liquid particles without direct contact, minimizing revaporization and maintaining fuel quality by using porous pads or meshes, and a liquid collection system to drain and return liquids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single mist separator is used to separate liquid from natural gas, then the separator can remove liquid particles, but higher hydrocarbons may revaporize and enrich the gas stream, degrading fuel quality
Solution Approach 1:
The single separator is divided into two separate separators arranged in series. The first separator removes liquid particles from the natural gas stream, and the second separator prevents revaporization of disengaged liquid. This segmentation isolates the liquid disengagement function from the liquid containment function, preventing higher hydrocarbon enrichment in the fuel stream.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary liquid collection system between the two separators. Disengaged liquid from the first separator is collected and contained, preventing direct contact with the warmer second separator that would cause revaporization. This intermediary collection system acts as a buffer to maintain fuel quality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple gas streams are fed into a single separator, then both naturally and forcibly vaporized gas can be processed, but liquid particles from different temperature streams may revaporize and mix, degrading fuel quality
Solution Approach 1:
The single separator handling multiple gas streams is segmented into two separate separators. The first separator processes the combined gas streams and removes liquid particles, while the second separator provides a controlled environment that prevents revaporization. This allows versatile processing of multiple gas streams while maintaining fuel quality through separated functional zones.
3Device complexity
If liquid disengagement means is placed in a single vessel, then the structure is simple, but liquid particles may come into contact with warmer surfaces and revaporize, damaging compressor components
Solution Approach 1:
The single vessel containing liquid disengagement means is segmented into two separate vessels arranged in series. The first vessel performs liquid disengagement with simpler internal structure, while the second vessel provides a controlled environment that prevents revaporization. This segmentation reduces the complexity of individual vessels while eliminating the harmful revaporization effect that could damage compressors.
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 minimizes the revaporization of liquid hydrocarbons, maintaining the quality of natural gas fuel by preventing the enrichment of higher hydrocarbons, thus protecting compressor components and ensuring efficient engine operation.
Implementation Method 1
both separators being able to disengage particles of liquid from the gas
Implementation Method 2
designed to disengage liquid particles without direct contact, minimizing revaporization
Implementation Method 3
a liquid collection system to drain and return liquids
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A mist separation apparatus comprises a main vessel 2 having a first inlet 4 for a first gas stream and an outlet 8 for gas. The main vessel also has a first separator 20 spaced from a second separator 22 along a gas flow path extending from the first inlet 4 to the outlet 8. Both separators 20 and 22 are able to disengage particles of liquid from the gas, the vessel 2 has a second inlet 6 for feeding a second gas stream that may for periods of time be at a higher temperature than the first gas stream into the gas flow path intermediate the first separator 20 and the second separator 23. Evaporation by the second gas stream of the liquid collected in the first separator 20 is hereby minimised.