Double-Walled Gas Line Layout for Inert Gas Purging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas engines and dual-fuel engines require complex piping for inert gas purging, which is inefficient and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A double-walled gas line system with an inner and outer pipe configuration, integrated with an inert gas purge line and shut-off valves, allows inert gas to flow through the outer pipe during purging, simplifying the process and eliminating the need for additional complex piping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate inert gas purge line is installed in the engine area, then purging of gaseous fuel lines can be achieved, but the piping becomes complex and design effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the inert gas purge line with the existing double-walled gas line structure. The inert gas purge line uses the outer pipe of the double-walled gas line as its conduit, eliminating the need for separate dedicated purge piping in the engine area. This combining approach maintains purging capability while significantly reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The outer pipe of the double-walled gas line serves multiple functions: it acts as both the outer containment structure for the gas supply line and as the conduit for inert gas during purging operations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated purge piping, reducing design effort and complexity
2Reliability
If purge air is supplied to the outer pipe at the engine side, then gas leaks can be vented, but additional piping and control complexity is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the leak detection/venting function with the existing vent line infrastructure. The outer pipe connects to the existing vent line at the gas control station, allowing purge air to be supplied and gas leaks to be vented through integrated pathways rather than requiring separate dedicated venting infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the natural flow paths and existing infrastructure to achieve leak detection and venting. Purge air supplied to the outer pipe automatically flows through the leakage flow channel and vents through the existing vent line, eliminating the need for additional active control systems or complex piping arrangements
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 purging of gaseous fuel lines with inert gas without additional piping, ensuring reliable operation and leak detection, thus enhancing the design efficiency and reliability of gas engines.
Implementation Method 1
The inner pipe and outer pipe define a leakage flow channel through which the purge air flows in a countercurrent direction to the inner pipe
Data Source
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AI summary
Gas supply system (10) for an engine (11) designed as a gas engine or dual-fuel engine, comprising a gas control station (16) for supplying the engine with a gaseous fuel at constant gas pressure in gas fuel operation depending on a requested engine power, comprising a double-walled gas line (18) extending from the gas control station (16) to cylinders (13) of the engine, which has an inner pipe (18a) and an outer pipe (18b) at least partially surrounding the inner pipe, wherein in gas fuel operation the inner pipe (18a) is permeable to gaseous fuel flowing from a gas control station-side end (19) of the double-walled gas line (18) towards an engine-side end (20) of the double-walled gas line (18), and comprising an inert gas purge line (25) and a first shut-off valve (26) associated with the inert gas purge line.In a purging operation of the engine (11) with the first shut-off valve (26) open, inert gas can be supplied via the inert gas purging line (25) to the outer pipe (18b) at the gas control station end (19) of the double-walled gas line (18), which flows through the outer pipe (18b) towards the engine-side end (20) of the double-walled gas line (18), there passes into the inner pipe (18a) and flows via the inner pipe (18a) back towards the gas control station end (19) of the double-walled gas line (18) to exit there. Fig. 1,