Raw Gas Heat Transfer via Dry Gas Injection for Stable Pipeline Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for transporting raw gas between facilities face issues with liquid accumulation due to low temperatures and contaminants, leading to inconsistent flow and potential hydrocarbon burning, requiring frequent maintenance and inefficient ethane recovery.
Innovation Solution
Injecting a dry gas at a higher temperature into the raw gas pipelines to transfer heat and promote fluid flow, optimizing the flow rate and pressure to prevent liquid blockages and enhance ethane recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a scraper device is used to remove liquid accumulation in pipelines, then liquid build up is cleaned out, but the device requires cleaning and maintenance and results in inconsistent gas flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the scraper device from the system entirely and replaces it with a chemical injection approach. By extracting the mechanical cleaning component, the solution eliminates the maintenance burden while continuing to address liquid accumulation through chemical means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical scraper system with a chemical injection system. Instead of using physical blades or brushes to remove liquids, the system injects chemicals that modify the properties of the gas-liquid mixture, enabling liquid removal through chemical action rather than mechanical force.
2Reliability
If a scraper device is used to clean pipelines, then liquid build up is reduced, but gas flow becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical scraping with chemical injection, which does not physically disrupt the gas flow path. The chemicals are injected downstream and work chemically to prevent liquid accumulation without creating the turbulence and flow inconsistency that mechanical scrapers generate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary chemical treatment to prevent liquid accumulation before it becomes problematic. By injecting chemicals that modify condensate properties upstream, the system prevents liquid build-up rather than reacting to it afterward, maintaining consistent gas flow throughout the pipeline.
3Use of energy by moving object
If raw gas is transported at lower temperatures, then energy consumption is reduced, but liquid contaminants cause accumulation and flow problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the gas stream by injecting chemicals that modify the phase behavior and properties of condensates. This allows the gas to be transported at lower temperatures without experiencing liquid accumulation, as the chemical additives prevent condensation and maintain flow stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces chemical intermediaries that act as mediators between the low-temperature transport condition and the liquid contamination problem. These chemicals modify the interaction between water and hydrocarbons, preventing them from forming stable liquid phases even at reduced temperatures.
4Productivity
If slug flow exceeds the capacity of the slug catcher unit, then gas transport continues, but hydrocarbon liquid burning occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary chemical treatment to prevent slug formation before it reaches the slug catcher. By injecting chemicals that modify condensate properties upstream, the system prevents large liquid slugs from forming, eliminating the risk of hydrocarbon burning while maintaining high gas transport capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces reliance on mechanical slug catching with chemical prevention. Instead of using physical slug catcher units to intercept liquid slugs, the system uses chemical additives to prevent slug formation entirely, eliminating the harmful effect of hydrocarbon burning while maintaining productivity.
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 method ensures smooth pipeline operation by preventing liquid stagnation, allowing for increased gas transport and improved ethane production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
injecting a dry gas in the first pipeline downstream of the upstream facility and upstream of the first downstream facility to transfer heat to the raw gas and promote fluid flow through the first pipeline
Data Source
AI summary
A method for improving raw gas quality is disclosed. The method includes flowing a raw gas through a first pipeline from an upstream facility to a first downstream facility, flowing the raw gas through a second pipeline from the upstream facility to a second downstream facility, and injecting a dry gas in the first pipeline downstream of the upstream facility and upstream of the first downstream facility to transfer heat to the raw gas and promote fluid flow through the first pipeline. The raw gas includes a plurality of liquid contaminants, and the raw gas is at a lower temperature than the dry gas.