Natural Gas Liquefaction Loop Without Fischer-Tropsch Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for converting natural gas to and from its liquid and gaseous states are limited by the need for a Fischer-Tropsch unit, which requires a water supply and additional components, complicating the system and reducing portability, especially for small-batch conversions.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a combustor, gas and air compressors, a turbine, heat exchangers, and an expander that converts gaseous fuel into liquid fuel by combusting the fuel-air mixture to generate heat energy, which is then used to drive mechanical work for compression and cooling, allowing for self-powering operation without external energy sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a Fischer-Tropsch unit is used to convert natural gas to liquid fuel, then the conversion efficiency is improved, but the system complexity and portability are worsened due to additional components and water supply requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the Fischer-Tropsch unit from the natural gas conversion system. By removing this complex component that requires water supply and additional equipment, the system achieves simplified architecture while maintaining conversion functionality through an alternative direct cooling and condensation approach
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the natural gas itself as the cooling medium through a closed-loop heat exchanger system. The natural gas is cooled, condensed to liquid, and the process utilizes the gas's own thermal properties rather than requiring external water supplies or complex Fischer-Tropsch synthesis units
2Productivity
If a Fischer-Tropsch unit is used for natural gas conversion, then the conversion capability is improved, but the portability is worsened due to equipment size and water supply requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the Fischer-Tropsch unit and associated water supply infrastructure, extracting the problematic elements that limit portability. The remaining system consists of compact heat exchangers and compressors that can be deployed in smaller, more mobile configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to be self-sufficient by using natural gas as its own cooling medium through a closed-loop system. This eliminates the need for external water supplies and reduces dependency on fixed infrastructure, thereby improving portability and adaptability to various deployment locations
3Adaptability or versatility
If small-batch natural gas conversion is performed, then the on-site flexibility is improved, but the energy consumption is worsened due to substantial energy requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop heat exchanger system where natural gas is continuously cooled, condensed, and reused. This continuous cycle minimizes energy losses and maintains efficient operation even during small-batch conversions, as the system constantly recovers and reuses thermal energy rather than requiring substantial external energy inputs for each batch
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 achieves efficient conversion of gaseous fuel to liquid fuel with reduced energy requirements, improved portability, and no need for a water supply or additional components, enabling on-site use and transportation of natural gas in a more efficient and compact manner.
Implementation Method 1
combusting the fuel-air mixture to generate heat energy
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger, which is primarily cooled by a closed-loop cooling system
Implementation Method 3
The chilled gas is expanded in a first turbine to produce a first liquid fraction and a first gas fraction
Implementation Method 4
directed to a first separator. The first liquid fraction collects at the bottom of the first separator
Implementation Method 5
a condenser in fluid communication with an outlet of the at least one expander
Data Source
AI summary
A system for converting gaseous fuel into liquid fuel is provided. The system may have a combustor configured to receive a supply of gaseous fuel. The system may also have a gas compressor configured to direct gaseous fuel from the supply into the combustor. The system may also have an air compressor configured to direct compressed air into the combustor, and a turbine in fluid communication with an outlet of the combustor. The turbine may be connected to drive the gas compressor and the air compressor. The system may also have at least one heat exchanger in fluid communication with an outlet of the gas compressor and an outlet of the air compressor. The system may also have at least one expander in fluid communication with an outlet of the at least one heat exchanger. The system may also have a condenser in fluid communication with an outlet of the at least one expander.