Separator Automatic Drain Valves for Natural Gas Dehydration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing natural gas dehydration systems rely on complex and unreliable float level controllers and motor valves for separating glycol and liquids, leading to inefficiencies and frequent malfunctions, which affects the regeneration and reuse of desiccant fluids.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a separator system using automatic drain valves to control liquid levels within the separator, eliminating the need for float level controllers and motor valves, thereby enhancing the separation efficiency and reliability of the dehydration process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If float level controllers and motor valves are used to control liquid levels in the separator, then liquid level control is achieved, but the system becomes complicated and unreliable with frequent malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex float level controllers and motor valves from the separator system, extracting only the essential liquid level control function. This eliminates the unreliable components while maintaining the core separation capability through a simplified valve arrangement that operates without complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator system is designed to automatically manage liquid levels through inherent flow dynamics and simplified valve operations, eliminating the need for external float level controllers. The system self-regulates liquid discharge based on natural level differences and valve positioning, reducing mechanical complexity and points of failure.
2Manufacturing precision
If float level controllers and motor valves are used for separation control, then liquid level management is possible, but operator skill and constant adjustments are required leading to inconsistent separation
Solution Approach 1:
The separator employs automatic liquid level control through simplified valve operations that do not require constant operator intervention or high skill levels. The system self-regulates separation consistency through inherent flow patterns and automated valve responses to level changes, eliminating dependence on operator expertise for consistent performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical float level controllers with a simplified valve system that achieves consistent separation through automated flow management. This substitution eliminates the need for manual adjustments and operator skill while maintaining precise liquid level control and separation consistency.
3Productivity
If complex control systems with float level controllers are used, then liquid level control is achieved, but frequent malfunctions and delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the unreliable float level controllers and motor valves from the system, eliminating the source of frequent malfunctions and delays. This extraction simplifies the control system while maintaining adequate liquid level management capability, thereby improving overall process reliability and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator system achieves automatic liquid level control without relying on complex control equipment that is prone to malfunction. The simplified valve system operates reliably with minimal intervention, eliminating frequent failures and delays while maintaining dehydration process efficiency through self-regulating flow control.
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 solution improves the consistency and efficiency of natural gas dehydration by automatically managing liquid levels, reducing operator dependency and equipment failures, and extending the life of desiccant fluids.
Implementation Method 1
a separator system useful for separating a mixture of fluids including gas, hydrocarbon liquids, and glycol
Implementation Method 2
The automatic drain valve is configured to discharge the hydrocarbon liquids from the separator while maintaining a liquid seal to prevent escape of gas from the separator
Data Source
AI summary
A separator including a vessel, a tray assembly positioned within the vessel, and a wall structure arranged to accumulate a first liquid and a second liquid. A first automatic drain valve is operable to automatically allow liquid accumulated above a first liquid outlet to pass from the vessel in such a way as to maintain a volume of the first liquid above the first automatic drain valve to create a liquid seal over the first automatic drain valve, and a second automatic drain valve is operable to automatically allow liquid accumulated above the level of an open upper end of the wall structure to pass from the vessel in such a way as to maintain a volume of the second liquid above the second automatic drain valve to create a liquid seal over the second automatic drain valve.