Sealed Modular Fluid Distribution System for Natural Gas Odorant Injection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid distribution systems for natural gas pipelines face challenges in accurately injecting odorants like tertiary butyl mercaptan, leading to potential safety hazards due to inconsistent absorption and volatility issues, and require complex maintenance procedures.
Innovation Solution
A sealed modular fluid distribution system utilizing bellows assemblies with chemically-resistant seals and modular design, allowing for pressurization and precise delivery of odorants to natural gas pipelines, enhancing reliability and serviceability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If liquid odorant is injected directly into the pipeline through a high-pressure injection pump, then odorant delivery is achieved, but pressure drops increase and vaporization occurs leading to inaccurate injection
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the odorant delivery process into multiple stages using a multi-stage positive displacement pump. The pump delivers odorant in controlled incremental doses rather than a single high-pressure injection, maintaining pressure while achieving accurate delivery. This segmentation allows the system to avoid the vaporization and pressure drop issues associated with single-stage high-pressure injection.
2Productivity
If discrete doses of odorant are injected using traditional positive-displacement pump or solenoid valve, then odorant is delivered to the pipeline, but dangerous dead time exists between doses
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous useful action by using a positive displacement pump that delivers odorant in closely spaced incremental doses. The pump operates continuously or in rapid succession, eliminating dangerous dead time between doses. This continuous dosing approach ensures that odorant protection is maintained without interruption while still allowing for controlled delivery rates.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex fluid distribution systems are used for accurate odorant injection, then injection precision may be improved, but maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates self-service features through automated monitoring and control mechanisms that track odorant delivery parameters and pump performance. The system can detect and report maintenance needs, and the modular pump design allows for easy replacement of wear components. This reduces the burden on operators while maintaining high injection precision through consistent, controlled dosing.
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 ensures reliable and accurate odorant delivery, preventing leaks and improving safety by using double seals for leak-proof connections and a modular design that simplifies maintenance and scalability.
Implementation Method 1
The pumping bellow is disposed between the first and second bellows blocks and is coupled to one or more pumps configured to cause the pumping bellow to pressurize the fluid to a pressurized state
Implementation Method 2
The first seal is disposed between the first coupling and the first bellow port and the second seal is disposed between the second coupling and the second bellow port
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided. The system includes one or more of a first bellows assembly, which includes a first bellows block, a second bellows block, a first pumping bellow, and first and second seals. The first bellows assembly includes a master fluid inlet port configured to receive a fluid and route the fluid to a first coupling. The second bellows block includes a master fluid outlet port and configured to route the fluid in a pressurized state from a second coupling to the master fluid outlet port. The first pumping bellow includes first and second bellow ports, the first pumping bellow oriented between the first and second couplings and coupled to a pump configured to pressurize the fluid. The first seal is disposed between the first coupling and the first bellow port and the second seal is disposed between the second coupling and the second bellow port.