Pressurized Combustion Liquefied Gas System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquefied gas disposal systems face challenges in compactness and reliability due to large furnace sizes and power supply dependencies, particularly when combusting boil-off gas under atmospheric pressure, which increases the size of the apparatus and requires excessive redundancy for continuous operation.

Innovation Solution

A liquefied gas disposal system utilizing pressurized combustion with a gas turbine-driven compression means, where compressed air is used as jacket air and combustion air, and high-pressure steam generation for efficient heat exchange, reducing furnace size and heat radiation loss, and incorporating a power generation system for redundancy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If boil-off gas is combusted under atmospheric pressure in a gas combustion boiler or gas incinerator, then the combustion process is simple and reliable, but the furnace size becomes large and the apparatus occupies excessive space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion reliabilityVSAvoidfurnace volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pressure parameter from atmospheric pressure to high pressure (1.05-1.20 MPa). This parameter change enables significant reduction in flame volume and furnace size while maintaining reliable combustion. The high pressure combustion allows the same amount of boil-off gas to be combusted in a much smaller space, directly resolving the contradiction between combustion reliability and furnace volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a power generation dimension by coupling the compression means with a gas turbine. The flue gas that would otherwise be wasted is now used to drive the turbine, generating electricity. This adds a new functional dimension to the system, transforming it from a simple combustion device to an integrated energy recovery system that simultaneously solves combustion reliability and space constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If a gas combustion boiler is used to combusted boil-off gas with heat exchange to generate steam, then steam can be generated for various uses, but the system requires excessive space and becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteam generation quantityVSAvoidapparatus volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pressure parameter to high pressure combustion, which increases flame temperature and combustion efficiency. This parameter change allows for more compact heat exchange equipment while maintaining or increasing steam generation capacity. The high pressure combustion enables the same heat output in a smaller volume, resolving the contradiction between steam generation quantity and apparatus volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the compression means and power generation means into a single integrated system. The compression means serves dual purposes: compressing air for high pressure combustion and being driven by the gas turbine for power generation. This merging eliminates the need for separate motors and reduces overall system complexity and volume while maintaining steam generation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If an electric air fan is used to feed combustion air and dilution air into the furnace, then air supply is reliable, but the system becomes dependent on external power supply and requires excessive redundancy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair supply reliabilityVSAvoidpower supply system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by using the flue gas from combustion to drive the gas turbine, which in turn drives the compression means to supply air for combustion. The system uses its own waste product (flue gas) to power its own air supply, eliminating dependence on external power sources. This self-service mechanism resolves the contradiction between air supply reliability and power supply system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The gas turbine acts as an intermediary between the flue gas and the compression means. Instead of directly using flue gas to drive the compressor, the turbine converts the thermal energy of flue gas into mechanical energy, which then drives the compression means. This intermediary enables efficient energy transfer and eliminates the need for external electric power supply, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Volume of stationary object

If the furnace size is reduced to save space, then the apparatus becomes compact, but the combustion load range becomes limited and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefurnace volumeVSAvoidcombustion reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pressure parameter to high pressure (1.05-1.20 MPa), which fundamentally alters the combustion characteristics. High pressure combustion enables much smaller flame volumes while maintaining stable and reliable combustion across a wide load range. This parameter change allows the furnace to be compact without sacrificing reliability, directly resolving the contradiction between furnace volume and combustion reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 achieves a compact design by increasing flue gas density, reducing the size of the furnace and steam generation components, and enhancing reliability through power recovery and independent power supply capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

a compression means (2) for compressing ambient air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

vaporized liquefied gas led out from a storage vessel combusts with the combustion air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 3

a jacket part which covers a surrounding of a furnace wall constituting the furnace and into which the jacket air is led

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 4

a high-pressure-side steam generation means for generating steam through heat exchange with the flue gas led out from the pressurized combustion means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 5

a gas turbine which is provided on a common shaft with the compression means, and is driven by the flue gas led from the high-pressure-side steam generation means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat engine: Heat Engine

Data Source

PatentEP2772619B1Liquefied gas treatment system and control method therefor
Publication Date: 2017.12.06 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP2772619B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2772619B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

This liquefied gas treatment system is provided with: a compression means (2) which compresses outside air; a pressurized combustion means (6) which comprises a furnace (3) into which the compressed outside air is led as jacket air and combustion air and in which gasified liquefied gas led from a storage tank and the combustion gas burn, and a jacket part (5) which covers the periphery of a furnace wall (4) that forms the furnace (3) and into which the jacket air is led; is led; a high pressure-side steam generation means (7, 8) which generates steam by heat exchange with the combustion gas led out of the pressurized combustion means (6); a steam turbine (9) to which the steam generated in the high pressure-side steam generation means (7, 8) is led; and a gas turbine (12) which is provided coaxially with the compression means (2) and driven by the combustion gas led from the high pressure-side steam generation means (7, 8).