Pressure Recovery Insert for Reciprocating Gas Compressor Pulsations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Reciprocating compressors generate transient pulsating flows due to piston motion and alternating valve motion, leading to significant structural vibrations and pulsation issues in natural gas pipeline systems, which existing control methods fail to adequately address without compromising compressor performance.

Innovation Solution

A pressure recovery insert is designed to be installed in the nozzle of reciprocating compressors, utilizing fluid flow analysis for optimized dimensions to attenuate pulsations by choking the flow, restricting volume, and recovering pressure, thereby smoothing flow peaks and minimizing pressure fluctuations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If reciprocating compressors are used to transport natural gas, then high pressure ratio is achieved, but transient pulsating flows and structural vibrations are generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure ratioVSAvoidpulsating flows and structural vibrations

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A pulsation control device is introduced as an intermediary component in the discharge line between the compressor cylinder and the pipeline. This device includes a pulsation control element (such as a restrictor or orifice) that mediates the pulsating flow by creating a controlled restriction, and a pulsation control volume (accumulator or surge drum) that absorbs and dampens the pulsations, thereby protecting the pipeline system from harmful vibrations while maintaining the compressor's high pressure ratio capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The pulsation control element changes the flow parameters by introducing a controlled restriction that reduces flow velocity and creates a pressure differential. This parameter change transforms the high-velocity pulsating flow from the compressor into a lower-velocity, dampened flow that can be accommodated by the pipeline system, effectively converting harmful pulsations into acceptable pressure variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If pulsation control devices are installed to reduce pulsations, then pulsation amplitudes are reduced, but pressure drop increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepulsation amplitudesVSAvoidpressure drop

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The pulsation control device utilizes the volume dimension by incorporating a pulsation control volume (accumulator or surge drum) as a key component. This volumetric dimension provides a reservoir that absorbs pressure pulsations through compression and expansion of trapped gas, reducing pulsation amplitudes without creating significant continuous pressure drop. The three-dimensional space of the accumulator allows it to handle pulsations dynamically without restricting steady-state flow excessively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The pulsation control device operates by exploiting the periodic nature of compressor discharge pulsations. The pulsation control volume alternately accumulates gas during high-pressure phases and releases gas during low-pressure phases, creating a periodic action that dampens pulsations. This periodic charge and discharge mechanism allows the device to reduce pulsation amplitudes while maintaining relatively low pressure drop compared to continuous restriction devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 insert effectively reduces pulsation amplitudes and recovers pressure drop, providing efficient pulsation control while maintaining compressor performance, offering an alternative to traditional pulsation control devices like orifice plates and Helmholtz resonators.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure recovery:

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow choking:

Data Source

PatentUS8740581B2Pressure recovery insert for reciprocating gas compressor

Publication Date: 2014.06.03 SOUTHERN GAS ASSOC GAS MACHINERY RES COUNCIL

AI summary

A method of reducing pulsations in a reciprocating compressor system, the system having nozzles between cylinders and filter bottles of the compressor system, the nozzles attaching at ports of the cylinders and filter bottles. A special insert is designed to be placed in one or more of the nozzle. The insert is generally cylindrical, but has a narrowed throat, a flared inlet end, and a flared outlet end. The insert dimensions, such as the inner diameter of the throat and the distance from the throat to the outlet end are calculated to reduce pulsations as well as provide pressure recovery.