Pneumatic Gas Flow Regulation During Natural Gas Power Outages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Natural gas measurement and regulation stations often cease natural gas flow during extended power outages or inadequate photovoltaic power, leading to operational disruptions for downstream recipients, especially during extreme weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a gas-pressure regulation system, differential pressure system, control gas relay system, and multi-way universal relay allows for continuous natural gas flow regulation without electrical power, using high-pressure and low-pressure regulators, relief valves, and electromechanically operated valves to manage pressure and actuate valves manually or automatically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrically-powered flow computers and valves are used to regulate natural gas flow, then precise flow control and monitoring are achieved, but the system stops working during extended power outages or inadequate photovoltaic power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrically-powered flow computers and valves with a pneumatic system that uses compressed gas to operate relay mechanisms and control valves. The gas-pressure regulation system generates and stores compressed gas, which powers the differential pressure system and control gas relay system, enabling the valve to remain operational without electrical power during outages.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automatic pressure regulation and control mechanisms that operate autonomously using compressed gas. The differential pressure system automatically detects pressure changes and triggers the control gas relay system to adjust the valve position, eliminating the need for external electrical power or manual intervention during normal operation and power outages.
2Measurement precision
If measurement and regulation stations stop gas flow during power outages to prevent unmonitored usage, then gas measurement accuracy is maintained, but downstream recipients including distribution utilities and power plants must cease operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a pneumatic flow control system that continues to regulate and monitor natural gas flow during power outages. The compressed gas-powered relay systems and control valves maintain precise flow measurement and regulation, allowing downstream recipients to continue operations while gas usage is still accurately tracked and controlled through the non-electrical pneumatic measurement system.
3Duration of action of moving object
If a battery is used to store electrical power for short periods of low insolation, then power availability during brief outages is improved, but the system fails during extended periods of inadequate power generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical battery storage system with a compressed gas storage system. The gas-pressure regulation system compresses and stores large volumes of gas in high-pressure tanks, which can supply pneumatic power for extended periods. This gas storage system has much longer duration capabilities compared to batteries, providing reliable power during extended power outages and periods of inadequate photovoltaic generation.
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 continuous natural gas flow regulation even without electrical power, ensuring stable operations for distribution utilities and natural gas-fired power plants during power outages or extreme weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a gas-pressure regulation system which receives a gas from outside the system, protecting the system from an overpressure of the gas and supplies a control gas and a power gas to the system
Implementation Method 2
a differential pressure system which receives the control gas from the gas-pressure regulation system and relays the control gas in the system
Implementation Method 3
a multi-way universal relay which receives the power gas for an actuator from the gas-pressure regulation system and the control gas from the control gas relay system
Data Source
AI summary
Current natural gas measurement and regulation systems are sensitive to loss of electrical power, which can cause brownouts and curtailment of power in the local area if power systems reliant on natural gas are downstream from the station. A system for regulating the flow of natural gas and for guaranteeing the flow of natural gas from a source to at least one specific flow line even when the system is not provided with electrical power may be described. Such a system may include at least one of each of: a low-pressure regulation system, a high-pressure regulation system, an inlet gas filter, a relief valve, a low select relay, a differential pressure pneumatic relay, a reset relay, a 5-way universal relay, an electromechanically operated valve, a first manual multi-way valve, a second manual multi-way valve, a high calibration valve, a low calibration valve, a filter, and/or a differential pressure measurement system.