Passive Gas Blender for Grid Injection Without Propane Conditioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for introducing unconventional gases into the gas grid require complex apparatus with constant control and additional gas sources like propane, which is costly and environmentally damaging, and often necessitate high-pressure inputs from the main grid, complicating the system and increasing maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A passive inspirator blender that mixes unconventional gas with grid gas using an inspiration effect, eliminating the need for mechanical components and external control, and reduces or eliminates the requirement for propane injection by ensuring well-mixed gas entry into the grid pipeline.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex conditioning apparatus with controlled valves, membrane filters and water washes is used to condition unconventional gas, then the gas quality meets grid requirements, but the device complexity and maintenance needs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex conditioning apparatus (controlled valves, membrane filters, water washes) from the gas introduction system. Instead of using these complex components, the invention relies on the passive inspirator blender to achieve gas mixing and conditioning, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining gas quality through simplified means
Solution Approach 2:
The passive inspirator blender operates without external control or power, using the natural pressure differential between unconventional gas and grid gas to drive the mixing process. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex controlled valves and reduces maintenance needs while ensuring consistent gas blending and quality
2Reliability
If propane or LPG is injected to condition biomethane for grid introduction, then the calorific value and composition meet grid requirements, but the operational costs and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The passive inspirator blender acts as an intermediary device that mixes unconventional gas with grid gas in a controlled manner. This intermediary approach allows the system to achieve the desired gas composition and calorific value by blending with existing grid gas rather than adding expensive propane or LPG, thereby reducing operational costs and environmental impact
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the approach to achieving grid-compliant gas composition by using physical blending with grid gas instead of chemical addition of propane/LPG. The passive inspirator blender adjusts the mixing ratio based on pressure differentials, dynamically changing the gas composition parameters to meet grid requirements without the need for additional hydrocarbon injection
3Productivity
If high-pressure input from the main grid is used to drive gas flow through the system, then the required flow rate is achieved, but the system complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using high-pressure grid gas to drive flow through the system, the patent inverts the approach by having the passive inspirator blender utilize the natural pressure differential where unconventional gas (at higher pressure) drives the mixing process. This inversion eliminates the need for complex high-pressure system configuration and reduces maintenance requirements while maintaining the required flow rate
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 passive blender ensures efficient gas blending with reduced or no propane use, maintaining grid quality by entraining grid gas with unconventional gas, thus simplifying maintenance and reducing operational costs and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
an internal flow path within the passive blender that is shaped and sized to provide entraining and mixing of the gases using an inspiration effect
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6
AI summary
The present invention provides a system for introducing gas from an unconventional source into a gas grid pipeline. The system has a passive blender (10) that introduces gas from an unconventional source (1) into a gas grid (2), the passive blender (10) having gas inputs (3, 11) from the unconventional source (1) and the gas grid (2) and a blended gas output (12), and wherein an internal flow path within the passive blender (10) is shaped and sized to provide entraining and mixing of the gases. The passive blender (10) acts to entrain gas from a gas grid (2) through input (11) by utilising the flow of gas from an unconventional source (1) through input 3, proportionally blending inputs 3 and 11 before outputting the blended gas back to the main gas grid (2). The system comprises the passive blender (10) of the present invention, a first gas input pipe (11) from a grid gas pipeline (2) into the passive blender (10) a second gas input pipe (3) from the unconventional source (1) into the passive blender (1), and an output pipe (12) from the passive blender (10) into the grid gas pipeline (2). The blender (10) and system of the present invention are advantageous in that they can greatly reduce the necessary conditioning of unconventional gas before it is introduced into a gas grid supply (2) without additional means of flow motivation or controls.