Refrigerant Circulation Layout for Low-Pressure Gas Capacity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquefaction systems face inefficiencies due to high gas capacity in low-pressure units, leading to decreased energy efficiency and increased internal pressure in LNG storage tanks, which can cause deformation and damage.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system with a refrigerant circulator that includes compressors, coolers, separators, expansion members, and an economizer to manage refrigerant flow efficiently, reducing gas capacity in low-pressure units and enhancing heat exchanger performance by circulating more refrigerant through the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a conventional refrigeration cycle is used to cool the object to be cooled, then cooling effect is achieved, but gas capacity in the low pressure unit increases leading to decreased energy efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigeration cycle is divided into high pressure unit and low pressure unit with distinct functions. The low pressure unit handles only necessary refrigerant circulation while the high pressure unit manages the majority of compression work, segmenting the gas capacity problem to improve energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful recirculation of vaporized refrigerant from the low pressure unit is extracted and redirected to the high pressure unit. This removes the problematic gas capacity accumulation in the low pressure unit while maintaining the cooling function
2Productivity
If vaporized refrigerant is recirculated to the low pressure unit, then refrigerant is reused, but liquefaction efficiency decreases due to increased gas capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The vaporized refrigerant that would normally be harmful by recirculating through the low pressure unit is converted into a beneficial resource by directing it to the high pressure unit where it can be efficiently compressed and reused, transforming a problematic recirculation into an efficient refrigeration cycle
3Reliability
If more refrigerant is circulated through the heat exchanger, then heat exchanger efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The high pressure unit serves multiple functions: it compresses refrigerant for the refrigeration cycle, handles vaporized refrigerant from the low pressure unit, and maintains efficient heat exchanger operation. This multi-functionality improves heat exchanger efficiency without proportionally increasing system complexity
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
Improves liquefaction efficiency, energy efficiency, and facilitates efficient facility operation by effectively controlling and maintaining heat exchanger efficiency, reducing the risk of storage tank deformation.
Implementation Method 1
a first expansion member configured to decompress the fourth refrigerant flow
Implementation Method 2
heat exchange between the refrigerant and the object to be cooled
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system includes a refrigerant circulator which circulates a refrigerant, wherein the refrigerant circulator includes a first compressor configured to pressurize the refrigerant in gaseous state; a first cooler configured to cool the refrigerant pressurized by the first compressor; a first gas-liquid separator configured to separate the refrigerant cooled by the first cooler into a first refrigerant flow of a gas component and a second refrigerant flow of a liquid component; a second compressor configured to pressurize the first refrigerant flow; a second cooler configured to cool the first refrigerant flow pressurized by the second compressor; a second gas-liquid separator configured to separate the refrigerant cooled by the second cooler into a third refrigerant flow of a gas component and a fourth refrigerant flow of a liquid component; a first expansion member configured to decompress the fourth refrigerant flow.