Redundant Gas Pressure Control for High-Pressure Tank Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing natural gas supply systems lack efficient and safe control mechanisms with 100% redundancy, particularly when using high-pressure tankers, which can lead to inefficiencies and safety concerns due to varying pressure levels and lack of cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A gas supply system with 100% redundancy, utilizing high-pressure tanks, groups of valves, control valves, safety valves, and monitor valves, where pressure gauges electronically communicate with computing devices to manage pressure and flow rates, allowing for manual or electronic control and ensuring efficient distribution and redundancy between valve sets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-pressure tankers are used to supply natural gas, then gas supply capability is improved, but safety risks increase due to varying pressure levels
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts between high-pressure and low-pressure operation modes. A first control valve regulates high-pressure gas flow when demand is high, while a second control valve regulates low-pressure gas flow when demand is low or pressure differential is insufficient. This dynamic switching ensures safe operation across varying pressure conditions while maintaining gas supply capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating pressure parameter by utilizing two different pressure sources (high-pressure tanker and low-pressure pipeline). The control system monitors pressure differential and automatically selects the appropriate pressure source, transforming the safety risk of varying pressure levels into a controlled parameter adjustment mechanism.
2Reliability
If redundant control systems are implemented, then safety and reliability are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements redundancy through a backup control architecture where a second control valve and associated control system serve as a copy of the first control valve system. This copying approach provides 100% redundancy for safety-critical functions while maintaining manageable complexity through modular, replicated components rather than entirely unique complex systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a first control valve for high-pressure regulation, a second control valve for low-pressure regulation, and a control system that orchestrates between them. This segmentation allows each module to be independently designed, tested, and maintained, reducing overall system complexity while achieving redundancy through modular replication.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple control valves and valve groups are used, then control precision and safety are improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple control valves serve multiple functions: the first control valve handles high-pressure gas supply and can switch to low-pressure mode, the second control valve handles low-pressure gas supply and can switch to high-pressure mode. This multi-functionality reduces the need for entirely separate valve systems for different pressure levels, optimizing cost while maintaining control precision across varying operating conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a high-pressure tank, a controller, a valve, controlled by the controller, and a heater.