Solar Steam Separator and Mixer for Long-Distance EOR Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar steam generators face challenges in maintaining proper steam conditions over long distances due to varying output, leading to issues like liquid-vapor separation and damage to steam distribution systems, particularly at low flow velocities.
Innovation Solution
The system separates solar-generated steam into vapor and liquid fractions, directing them separately to the target user and recombining them as needed to maintain consistent steam quality, using multiple conduits and control systems to manage flow velocities and prevent condensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If solar steam generators deliver steam over long distances, then the steam can reach the target user, but liquid-vapor separation occurs and causes damage to the distribution system
Solution Approach 1:
The steam distribution system is segmented into separate vapor and liquid conduits. The separator divides wet steam into vapor and liquid fractions, directing each through dedicated pipes to the target user. This segmentation prevents liquid-vapor interaction that causes water hammer and maintains steam quality over long distances.
Solution Approach 2:
A separator acts as an intermediary device between the solar steam generator and the distribution network. It processes wet steam by separating phases before delivery, and a mixer serves as an intermediary at the target user end to recombine phases, ensuring reliable steam quality throughout the long transmission distance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If steam flow velocity is reduced to prevent water hammer, then liquid slugs are minimized, but steam quality deteriorates due to condensation
Solution Approach 1:
By separating vapor and liquid into different conduits, the system eliminates the harmful interaction between phases that causes water hammer. Each conduit can be optimized independently - the vapor line maintains high velocity to prevent condensation while the liquid line handles drainage, resolving the contradiction between velocity and water hammer prevention.
3Length of moving object
If conduit diameter is increased to reduce pressure drop, then steam can be delivered over longer distances, but flow velocity decreases causing liquid separation
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses separate vapor and liquid conduits, allowing the vapor line to maintain smaller diameter and higher velocity for long-distance transport without liquid separation. The liquid conduit handles drainage separately, eliminating the constraint that large diameter is needed to prevent liquid settlement while maintaining steam velocity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow regime parameter by separating phases, allowing the vapor to flow as a single-phase high-velocity stream. This enables long-distance delivery without the velocity reduction that would occur in two-phase flow through a single large-diameter conduit.
4Reliability
If separate vapor and liquid conduits are used, then steam quality is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
While segmentation into separate conduits does increase system complexity, it resolves the steam quality maintenance problem over long distances. The separator and mixer components, though adding complexity, are simple phase separation devices that enable reliable steam delivery that would be impossible with a single conduit system.
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 approach ensures reliable steam quality and reduces damage to the distribution network by maintaining high steam velocity and preventing liquid separation, even at low flow rates, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs by optimizing conduit size and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
wet steam steam is separated into a vapor fraction flow (e.g., a dry steam flow) and a liquid fraction flow
Implementation Method 2
the flows can be re-combined prior to use
Data Source
AI summary
Separators and mixers for delivering controlled-quality solar-generated steam over long distances for enhanced oil recovery, and associated systems and methods. A representative method includes heating water to steam at a solar field, separating a liquid fraction from the steam, directing the steam toward a target steam user via a first, steam conduit, and directing the liquid fraction toward the target steam user in parallel with the steam via second, liquid fraction conduit. The method can further include mixing the liquid fraction and the steam before delivering the combined liquid fraction and steam to the target user.