ORC Bypass Valve Control for Gas Condensation Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current organic Rankine cycle (ORC) systems lack a method to maintain the temperature of compressed gas within a specified range, leading to volatile condensation and equipment performance issues during gas compression at pumping stations, which affects electrical power generation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a bypass valve system and temperature control mechanisms in heat exchangers to adjust the gas temperature, ensuring it remains within an optimal range by diverting gas flow and adjusting the working fluid rate, thereby preventing volatile condensation and optimizing compressor performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If heat is transferred from compressed gas to working fluid in ORC system, then electrical power generation is improved, but gas temperature drops below threshold causing volatile condensation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the gas before compression, and preliminary cooling after compression, to maintain the gas temperature within the operating range throughout the compression process, preventing volatile condensation before it can occur
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary temperature control system with separate heating and cooling circuits that mediate between the compression process and the ORC heat exchange, allowing independent temperature management without interfering with power generation
2Reliability
If gas temperature is maintained above threshold to prevent condensation, then equipment reliability is improved, but electrical power generation decreases due to reduced temperature differential
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous temperature control throughout the compression process by operating heating and cooling circuits simultaneously or alternately, ensuring the gas temperature remains continuously within the optimal range without interruption to either reliability or power generation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts temperature parameters by varying the flow rates and temperatures of heating and cooling media, optimizing the balance between maintaining gas temperature for reliability and preserving temperature differential for power generation
3Object-affected harmful factors
If bypass valve is used to maintain gas temperature, then volatile condensation is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control system operates autonomously using temperature sensors and control valves that automatically adjust heating and cooling flows based on real-time gas temperature measurements, eliminating the need for complex external control mechanisms
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
This solution effectively maintains the gas temperature within a specified range, preventing volatile condensation and ensuring efficient compressor operation, thereby stabilizing electrical power generation in ORC systems.
Implementation Method 1
a flow of compressed gas from a source to a heat exchanger... The heat exchanger may be positioned to transfer heat from the flow of compressed gas to a flow of a working fluid
Implementation Method 2
the heat from the heat source causes the working fluid in the loop to change phases from a liquid to a vapor
Implementation Method 3
adjusting a bypass valve to a position sufficient to maintain the temperature of the flow of compressed gas within a selected operating temperature range
Implementation Method 4
sensing, via an inlet temperature sensor, an inlet temperature of a flow of compressed gas from a source to the heat exchanger... sensing, via an outlet temperature sensor, an outlet temperature of the flow of the compressed gas from the heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and generating power in an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) operation to supply electrical power. In embodiments, an inlet temperature of a flow of gas from a source to an ORC unit may be determined. The source may connect to a main pipeline. The main pipeline may connect to a supply pipeline. The supply pipeline may connect to the ORC unit thereby to allow gas to flow from the source to the ORC unit. Heat from the flow of gas may cause the ORC unit to generate electrical power. The outlet temperature of the flow of the gas from the ORC unit to a return pipe may be determined. A bypass valve, positioned on a bypass pipeline connecting the supply pipeline to the return pipeline, may be adjusted to a position sufficient to maintain temperature of the flow of gas above a threshold based on the inlet and outlet temperature.