Segmented Flare Pipe System for Natural Gas Liquefaction Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing equipment safety management systems in natural gas liquefaction plants require large flare pipes to handle excessive fluid pressure, leading to high construction and maintenance costs due to the need for oversized infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
The system includes multiple valves that release fluid pressure in stages, allowing fluid to be directed to both low-temperature and aqueous fluid flare pipes, reducing the overall size and cost of flare pipes by splitting fluid flow between at least one first flare pipe for low-temperature fluids and one second flare pipe for aqueous fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single large flare pipe is used to handle excessive fluid pressure from safety means, then equipment safety is ensured, but the size and cost of flare pipe infrastructure increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the single flare pipe system into multiple separate flare pipes (first flare pipe for low-temperature fluid and second flare pipe for aqueous fluid). Each flare pipe is sized appropriately for its specific fluid type rather than one oversized pipe handling all fluids, thereby reducing overall infrastructure volume while maintaining safety through multiple dedicated pathways.
2Reliability
If a single large flare pipe is used to handle all fluid releases, then comprehensive safety coverage is achieved, but construction and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the safety relief function into separate flare pipes for different fluid types (low-temperature and aqueous). This allows each pipe to be manufactured and installed at appropriate sizes for their specific purposes, reducing overall material costs and construction expenses compared to building one large pipe capable of handling all scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety means is designed to connect to multiple types of flare pipes, allowing the same safety valve system to serve multiple functions by directing different fluid types to appropriate specialized pipes, thereby achieving comprehensive safety coverage without requiring oversized infrastructure for each specific case.
3Reliability
If oversized flare pipe infrastructure is installed to handle maximum fluid pressure, then safety margins are maximized, but the cost of associated facilities increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of installing one large flare pipe with excessive material capacity, the system uses multiple smaller specialized pipes (first for low-temperature, second for aqueous fluids). Each pipe contains just enough material for its specific purpose, eliminating wasted material while maintaining adequate safety margins through the combined capacity of multiple appropriately-sized pipes.
Data Source
AI summary
An equipment safety management device for managing safety of equipment capable of holding fluid is provided. The equipment safety management device includes: a safety means configured to be in fluid communication with an outlet of the equipment, the safety means being brought into a released state when pressure of the equipment reaches a previously set pressure, the safety means delivering the fluid to a flare pipe, which is fluidly communicated; and, as the flare pipe, at least one first flare pipe allowing a low-temperature fluid to flow therethrough and at least one second flare pipe allowing an aqueous fluid to flow therethrough. The safety means can deliver the fluid to both the first flare pipe and the second flare pipe.