Reciprocating Compressor Pulse Charging via Resonant Gas Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reciprocating compressors in the oil and gas industry face inefficiencies due to pressure pulsations, which lead to vibrations, noise, and reduced performance, as conventional methods dissipate these pulsations rather than utilizing them constructively.
Innovation Solution
A gas circulation device with a resonance frequency matching the compression cycle frequency, combined with a controller to actuate a valve, harnesses pressure pulsations to enhance the volumetric efficiency of the compressor through the pulse charging effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If volume bottles are installed to buffer pressure pulsations, then vibrations and noise are reduced, but volumetric efficiency of the compressor decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful pressure pulsations into a beneficial effect by using them to enhance gas intake during the suction phase. The pulsations that were previously dissipated by volume bottles are now harnessed to create a pulse charging effect that increases volumetric efficiency, thereby converting a harmful factor into a benefit while eliminating the need for volume bottles
Solution Approach 2:
The invention removes volume bottles from the system entirely. By extracting this component and replacing it with a controller that timing-switches the discharge valve, the system eliminates the need to buffer pulsations, instead directly utilizing them to improve compressor performance and recover the volumetric efficiency loss
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pressure pulsations are dissipated using conventional methods, then harmful effects are reduced, but energy is wasted without constructive use
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the energy in pressure pulsations that was previously wasted into a useful resource. By timing the discharge valve operation to coincide with pressure pulsations, the system uses this energy to force additional gas into the compression chamber during suction, transforming energy dissipation into productive work that enhances compressor efficiency
3Productivity
If the discharge valve is timing-switched to enhance volumetric efficiency, then gas intake is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller monitors pressure pulsations in real-time and uses this feedback to timing-switch the discharge valve appropriately. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically adjust valve operation based on actual pulsation conditions, achieving enhanced volumetric efficiency through a relatively simple electronic control system rather than complex mechanical modifications
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
This approach increases the volumetric efficiency of the compressor by utilizing pressure pulsations to improve gas intake during the suction phase, reducing vibrations and noise, and enhancing overall compressor performance.
Implementation Method 1
A gas circulation device with a resonance frequency matching the compression cycle frequency
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for constructively use pressure pulses to enhance the volumetric efficiency of a reciprocating compressor are provided. An apparatus includes a gas circulation device and a controller 110. The gas circulation device provides a path through which the gas circulates between a reciprocating compressor 10 and a volume bottle 50 buffering the reciprocating compressor from an installation. The gas circulation device is configured to have to have a resonance frequency substantially equal to a frequency of performing compression cycles in the reciprocating compressor. The controller 110 is configured to control timing of switching a valve located between the reciprocating compressor and the gas circulation device, in order to use constructively pressure pulsations occurring in the gas circulation device, to enhance the volumetric efficiency of the reciprocating compressor.