Pneumatic Fluid Transfer and Depressurization System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for fluid transfer and depressurization in pipelines and vessels, such as venting and flaring, pose significant safety and environmental risks due to the emission of gases into the atmosphere, and are subject to regulatory pressures.
Innovation Solution
A fluid transfer and depressurization apparatus that utilizes a compressed air source to facilitate emission-free transfer of fluids from pipelines or vessels to another location, incorporating a drive chamber pneumatically coupled to the air source, and featuring first and second gas cylinders operably coupled to the drive chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If venting or flaring is used to discharge pipeline contents, then the pipeline can be depressurized for maintenance, but gases are emitted into the atmosphere causing safety and environmental risks
Solution Approach 1:
A receiver vessel is introduced as an intermediary component to capture and store the gas being transferred from the pipeline. This mediator prevents direct emission to the atmosphere while enabling complete pipeline depressurization, thus resolving the contradiction between maintenance capability and emission prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful element (gas) is extracted from the pipeline system and isolated in a separate receiver vessel. This extraction allows the pipeline to be fully depressurized for maintenance while the gas is contained separately, preventing atmospheric emission and enabling safe maintenance operations
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a fluid transfer apparatus is introduced to enable emission-free transfer, then environmental and safety risks are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Pneumatic pressure differential is utilized to drive the fluid transfer process. The compressed air source creates pressure differences that automatically move gas from the pipeline through the transfer apparatus to the receiver vessel, eliminating the need for complex mechanical pumps or valves while achieving emission-free transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer apparatus is designed to operate automatically using the energy already present in the system (compressed air in the pipeline). The pneumatic system self-regulates the transfer process through pressure equalization, minimizing the need for external control mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity
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 apparatus effectively depressurizes vessels or pipeline portions and transfers their contents without emitting fluids into the atmosphere, thereby reducing safety and environmental risks and complying with regulatory requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid transfer and depressurization apparatus that utilizes a compressed air source to facilitate emission-free transfer of fluids from pipelines or vessels to another location, incorporating a drive chamber pneumatically coupled to the air source
Data Source
AI summary
A gas transfer and depressurization system that is configured to transfer gas from a first location to a second location wherein during the transfer of gas the pressure of the first location is reduced. The gas transfer and depressurization system includes a drive chamber having an interior volume with a drive assembly movably disposed therein. A first cylinder and a second cylinder are operably coupled to the drive chamber on opposing sides thereof. The drive assembly includes a drive rod having portions extending into the first cylinder and second cylinder wherein the drive rod has pistons formed on opposing ends thereof. A controller is operably coupled to a compressed air source and is configured to provide compressed air into said drive chamber so as to reciprocally move the drive assembly. Gas blocks and coupling block are additionally present and facilitate flow of gas intermediate the first and second cylinders.