Mobile Gas Pressure Reduction Unit for Remote Offloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a mismatch between the high pressure of compressed gas in transit tanks and the low pressure required by customer repositories, leading to inefficiencies and inaccuracies in gas delivery, particularly in remote locations with limited access to utilities and harsh climates.
Innovation Solution
A mobile system configured to reduce the pressure of compressed gas from approximately 4000 psig to 80 psig, equipped with a fluid circuit that includes a transfer unit, temperature conditioning unit, pressure reduction unit, and flow meter, allowing autonomous operation and maintenance without the need for a repair facility, and capable of operating in extreme temperatures using natural gas as fuel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If compressed gas is stored at high pressure in transit tanks, then the quantity of gas that can be transported is increased, but the pressure mismatch with customer repository requirements causes delivery inefficiency and inaccuracy
Solution Approach 1:
A pressure reduction unit is introduced as an intermediary device between the high-pressure storage tank and the customer repository. This unit includes a pressure reducing valve that automatically reduces the high pressure (e.g., 4000 psig) to the required low pressure (e.g., 80 psig), enabling efficient gas delivery while maintaining the advantage of high-pressure storage for maximizing transport quantity.
2Productivity
If pressure reduction is implemented, then the pressure mismatch is resolved, but the gas may condense to liquid phase causing two-phase flow that frustrates accurate measurement
Solution Approach 1:
A temperature conditioning unit is integrated with the pressure reduction unit to adjust and maintain the gas temperature above its dew point during pressure reduction. This prevents condensation and ensures the gas remains in vapor phase throughout the pressure reduction process, thereby maintaining accurate flow and property measurements while achieving efficient pressure-matched delivery.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system is configured to fit on-board a trailer for mobile deployment, then the system can be deployed to remote locations, but access to components for maintenance and repair becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular functional units (pressure reduction unit, temperature conditioning unit, control unit, flow meter) that are independently mounted within the trailer enclosure. Each module has designated access panels and service ports that allow technicians to reach components through the enclosure walls without completely disassembling the system, balancing compact mobile deployment with maintainable accessibility.
4Productivity
If automation is implemented to allow multiple tanks to empty without operator intervention, then productivity is increased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A control unit with automated tank selection logic is implemented that receives feedback from level sensors and flow meters. The controller automatically monitors gas levels in multiple tanks, activates the pressure reduction unit when a tank is ready for offloading, and switches between tanks based on real-time status, enabling unattended operation of multiple tanks without proportionally increasing overall system complexity through simple sensor-controller-actuator loops.
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
Enables efficient and accurate offloading of compressed gas to customer repositories, maintaining the gas in a vapor phase to prevent two-phase flow, ensuring reliable measurement and allowing for the use of natural gas as fuel, thus facilitating deployment to remote locations.
Implementation Method 1
pressure reduction unit that reduces pressure of the compressed gas from a first pressure to a second pressure
Implementation Method 2
temperature conditioning unit that heats the compressed gas to a temperature sufficient to prevent condensation of the compressed gas
Implementation Method 3
flow meter that measures a flow rate of the compressed gas
Data Source
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AI summary
A system that can offload compressed gas from a storage tank to a customer site. The system can have a fluid circuit that is configured to fit within a container structure, like a trailer, for mobility to remote locations. This fluid circuit can include a transfer unit to automatically switch between tanks. The transfer unit can couple with a heat exchanger. Downstream of the heat exchanger, the fluid circuit can reduce pressure of fluid from the tanks through multiple pressure reduction stages. Each of the pressure reduction stages can include a throttling device, for example, a pilot-type fluid regulator and a control valve assembly. The throttling device may be selected to maintain flow of fluid at least at, e.g., 35,000 scfh, in accordance with pressure drops in the incoming fluid from the tanks.