Odorant Masking System for Natural Gas Blowdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods are inadequate for effectively mitigating the strong odor of odorized natural gas during large-scale intentional releases, as existing odorant masking agents are only feasible for small-scale applications, leading to unnecessary public alerts and complaints during controlled natural gas blowdowns.
Innovation Solution
An automated odorant masking system that includes a tank for an odorant masking agent, spray nozzles on the blowdown stack, and a control system to detect pressure changes, allowing the agent to be mixed with natural gas and sprayed into the atmosphere to neutralize the odor, with features like a throttle valve and electronic monitoring for operational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If odorant masking agent is applied manually to the pipeline, then the odor intensity is reduced for small releases, but the method is not feasible for large-scale releases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical application of masking agent with an automated spray system that uses pressurized gas flow to deliver the agent through nozzles positioned at the release point, enabling effective coverage for large-scale releases without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a carrier gas (natural gas or inert gas) as an intermediary to transport the odorant masking agent from the delivery system to the release point, allowing the agent to be effectively distributed over large release volumes
2Object-affected harmful factors
If odorant masking agent is used during controlled releases, then public disturbance is reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to automatically detect pressure changes indicating a release event and activate the masking agent spray without human intervention, eliminating the need for manual operation while reducing public disturbance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates pressure sensors that provide feedback about the release status to the control system, which automatically adjusts the masking agent delivery accordingly, simplifying operation while effectively reducing public disturbance
3Productivity
If spray nozzles are positioned on the blowdown stack, then the masking agent is effectively distributed into the released gas, but the equipment exposure to weather and elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the spray nozzle assembly (positioned on the blowdown stack for effectiveness) from the main equipment components (housed in the protective enclosure), allowing the nozzles to be exposed for effective gas contact while keeping other equipment protected from weather and elements
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 reduces the intensity of odorized natural gas releases, minimizing public disturbance and allowing for larger-scale controlled releases without public alerts, by automating the application of the odorant masking agent and improving spray efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The odorant masking system is activated when a pressure sense line connected to the ESD line or the natural gas pipeline senses a change in pressure via a pressure switch
Implementation Method 2
In response to the sensed change in pressure, solenoids of the system may open, allowing the odorant masking agent to be released by way of a blanket pressure from the tank
Implementation Method 3
At the spray nozzles installed on the ESD blowdown stack, the odorant masking agent from the liquid line and the diverted gas from the gas line are combined or mixed. The mixing of the odorant masking agent and the gas preferably improves the spraying effect
Implementation Method 4
The mixture of odorant masking agent and diverted natural gas may be sprayed into the natural gas that is being released into the atmosphere, which helps mitigate the potent smell of natural gas
Data Source
AI summary
An odorant masking system is provided that may be used to introduce an odorant masking agent to natural gas released via a vent stack system. When the odorant masking system senses a pressure increase due to a controlled natural gas release (e.g., during a system blowdown), some of the natural gas is diverted through the system, and odorant masking agent is released from a storage tank. The diverted natural gas and the odorant masking agent subsequently may be mixed and introduced to the natural gas being released through the vent stack system. The mixture of diverted gas and odorant masking agent preferably takes the form of a spray that, when introduced to the natural gas at the vent stack, reduces or even neutralizes the foul smell of odorant associated with the controlled release of natural gas.