Gas Pipeline Purification Vessel with Isolating Barrier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Natural gas pipeline systems face challenges in removing harmful particulates, such as black powder, which are erosive, toxic, and chemically reactive, posing risks to equipment and personnel, and existing purification methods are inefficient in handling varying gas flow conditions.

Innovation Solution

A pressure vessel with multiple purification assemblies, including a filter assembly and a separator assembly, is used to remove particulates, featuring an openable/closeable barrier that allows for isolation and servicing of the assemblies, enabling effective particulate removal and safe maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple purification assemblies are installed in the pressure vessel, then the particulate removal efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticulate removal efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of purification assemblies

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The purification system is divided into multiple independent purification assemblies (separator assembly and filter assembly) that can be individually serviced. Each assembly is a separate module within the pressure vessel, allowing maintenance personnel to access and service one assembly without removing the entire system or exposing themselves to hazardous particulates in other assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of repair

If the purification assemblies are accessible for servicing, then the ease of repair is improved, but the personnel safety deteriorates due to exposure to harmful particulates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of purification assembliesVSAvoidexposure to harmful particulates

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A barrier is introduced as an intermediary element between the purification assemblies and the maintenance personnel. The barrier can be positioned to block the line of sight and physical access to hazardous particulates while still allowing maintenance personnel to service the assemblies through controlled access points, thus mediating between safety requirements and maintenance needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The barrier is extracted as a separate, movable component that can be positioned and removed as needed. This allows the system to provide protection when required while maintaining accessibility for maintenance operations when the barrier is repositioned or removed, separating the safety function from the access function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the barrier is always closed to protect personnel, then the safety is improved, but the gas flow continuity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from harmful particulatesVSAvoidgas flow continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier is designed as a dynamic component that can change its position between closed and open states based on operational requirements. During normal operation, the barrier is closed to protect personnel from harmful particulates. During maintenance operations, the barrier can be opened to allow gas flow continuity while personnel service the purification assemblies, thus adapting the system state to current needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 significantly reduces particulates in the gas, allowing for safer operation and maintenance by isolating purification assemblies, thus protecting personnel and accommodating varying gas flow conditions without modifying the pressure vessel.

Implementation Method 1

each filter element may include a porous filter medium. As the gas flows through the pressure vessel, it passes through the filter medium, and the particulates carried by the gas are trapped on the surface of and/or within the filter medium.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a separator may slow the velocity of the gas and allow the particulates to settle from the gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitational settling: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

a separator may deflect the particulates from the principal gas flow stream, causing the gas and the particulates to separate from one another

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInertial separation: Inertia

Data Source

PatentUS8951333B2Purification arrangements and methods for gas pipeline systems

Publication Date: 2015.02.10 PALL CORP

AI summary

A purification arrangement for a gas pipeline system includes a pressure vessel and at least first and second purification assemblies in the interior of the pressure vessel. An openable/closable barrier is positioned in the pressure vessel between the first and second purification assemblies. A gas flow may be established through the pressure vessel, and the gas may pass through the first purification assembly, the open barrier, and the second purification assembly to remove liquid and/or solid particulates from the gas.