Passive Blender With Vortex Swirl for Homogeneous Gas Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grid gas pipelines face challenges in introducing mixer gases like hydrogen and biomethane at the intended percentage proportion without exceeding limits, requiring a system that ensures homogenous blending and minimal pressure drop, while allowing for representative sampling and feedback control.
Innovation Solution
A passive blender with mixer apertures that induce vortex swirl in the mixer gas, using a circumferential and longitudinal blending direction, combined with a cross-sectional area reduction and vortex-inducing mixer outlet, to effectively blend mixer gases with grid gas within a short distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If natural gas blending is used to reduce CO2 emissions, then environmental benefit is improved, but control of mixer gas proportion becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The passive blender uses the kinetic energy of the grid gas flow itself to create the mixing action through its internal geometry, eliminating the need for external control systems, motors, or power sources. The device self-regulates the blending process through its designed flow path and aperture configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces active mechanical control systems with passive fluid dynamic mechanisms. The internal flow path geometry, mixer apertures, and swirl induction replace what would traditionally require motorized mixers, flow controllers, and electronic control systems
2Productivity
If mixer gas is introduced into grid gas pipeline, then alternative gas usage is improved, but blending homogeneity deteriorates without sufficient mixing distance
Solution Approach 1:
The mixer apertures introduce the mixer gas in a direction that has a circumferential component relative to the longitudinal axis of the blender, creating a swirl motion. This adds a rotational dimension to the mixing process, enhancing homogeneity within a short axial distance
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses fluid dynamic principles to achieve mixing, utilizing the kinetic energy and flow characteristics of the gas streams. The internal flow path geometry and aperture configuration create turbulence, entrainment, and swirl that passively mix the gases without mechanical components
3Stability of the object's composition
If blending device is added to grid gas pipeline, then mixing capability is improved, but pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The internal flow path is shaped and sized to optimize the balance between mixing effectiveness and pressure loss. The geometry parameters (aperture size, flow path curvature, length-to-diameter ratio) are designed to achieve adequate mixing while minimizing resistance to the grid gas flow
Solution Approach 2:
The blender is divided into distinct functional sections: an input section for grid gas, a mixer section with apertures for mixer gas introduction, and an output section. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function while working together to minimize overall pressure drop
4Device complexity
If passive blending is used without mechanical components, then device simplicity is improved, but mixing effectiveness may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The mixer apertures are configured to induce swirl of the mixer gas in the blender, creating a rotational flow pattern. This curved flow path enhances mixing by creating centrifugal effects and increasing the interaction between the two gas streams, achieving effective mixing without mechanical components
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 mixing of mixer gases with grid gas, maintaining low pressure drop and enabling accurate sampling for analysis, without mechanical components or external control, thus optimizing gas blending in grid pipelines.
Implementation Method 1
the mixer apertures are formed such that mixer gas inputting the blender enters in a blending direction that has a circumferential component relative to the longitudinal axis of the blender to thereby induce swirl of the mixer gas in the blender
Implementation Method 2
The passive blender of GB2250130 has an internal flow path that is shaped and sized to provide entraining and mixing of the gases using an inspiration effect
Data Source
AI summary
A passive blender for introducing a mixer gas into a grid gas pipeline. The blender has an input section extending from an input inlet from which grid gas enters the blender to an input outlet along a longitudinal axis of the blender, wherein the input section reduces in cross-section from the input inlet to the input outlet and the longitudinal axis of the blender. The blender also has a mixer extending from a mixer inlet to a mixer outlet along the longitudinal axis of the blender, wherein the mixer inlet is positioned immediately adjacent the input outlet. The blender also has an output section extending from an outlet inlet to an output outlet along the longitudinal axis of the blender, wherein the output inlet is positioned immediately adjacent the mixer outlet.