Supersonic Gas Separator Using De Laval Nozzle
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Natural gas production streams often contain mixtures of gases, liquids, and particulates that can damage equipment over time, necessitating frequent repairs or replacements, and existing solutions are in need of improvement or alternative methods for effective separation.
Innovation Solution
A vertically oriented gas and liquid separator with a shell, de Laval nozzle, and separating baffles that adiabatically and isentropically converges and accelerates the wet gas feedstock to separate gaseous mixtures from condensable vapors and liquids, using permeable fluid flow barriers and a Bernoulli effect to efficiently remove free liquids and particulates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional separation equipment is used to remove liquids and particulates from natural gas production streams, then equipment damage is reduced, but frequent repairs or replacements are still needed due to accumulated damage over time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the gas stream by using a de Laval nozzle to create supersonic flow conditions, transforming the separation mechanism from conventional low-velocity gravity-based separation to high-velocity inertial separation. This parameter change enables more effective removal of liquids and particulates, reducing accumulated damage and extending equipment lifespan
Solution Approach 2:
The separation process is segmented into distinct zones: the de Laval nozzle creates a supersonic flow region, followed by a separation chamber with baffles that segment the flow path. This segmentation allows different separation mechanisms to operate in sequence, improving overall separation effectiveness and reducing equipment damage
2Reliability
If existing separation methods are applied to wet gas feedstock, then gas separation is achieved, but the separation effectiveness is insufficient to prevent equipment damage from free liquids and particulates
Solution Approach 1:
The de Laval nozzle transforms subsonic wet gas feedstock into supersonic flow, changing the velocity parameter dramatically. This supersonic flow creates strong inertial forces that effectively separate liquids and particulates from the gas stream, achieving separation effectiveness sufficient to prevent equipment damage
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces conventional mechanical separation mechanisms (such as gravity settlers or centrifugal separators) with a supersonic flow-based separation system. The de Laval nozzle and associated supersonic flow field substitute for traditional mechanical separation equipment, providing more effective removal of harmful liquids and particulates
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 solution effectively separates gases from liquids and particulates, reducing equipment damage and maintaining a clean, dry gas stream for continuous operation, thereby reducing maintenance needs and extending equipment lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
adiabatically and isentropically converging the wet gas feedstock as the wet gas feedstock ingresses
Implementation Method 2
adiabatically and isentropically converging the wet gas feedstock
Implementation Method 3
accelerates the adiabatically and isentropically converged wet gas feedstock, including condensing the condensable vapors to condensed vapors
Implementation Method 4
using permeable fluid flow barriers and a Bernoulli effect to efficiently remove free liquids and particulates
Implementation Method 5
separating the gaseous mixtures from the condensed vapors and the liquid
Implementation Method 6
directs the accelerated feedstock into the separating baffles to separate the gaseous mixtures from the condensed vapors and the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A gas and liquid separator includes a wet gas feedstock ingress, a plurality of separating baffles, a dried gas egress, and a first liquid egress. A wet gas feedstock under pressure enters the separator through the wet gas feedstock ingress. The wet gas feedstock ingress adiabatically and isentropically converges the wet gas feedstock and then accelerates the wet gas feedstock into the separation baffles. The separation baffles separate the constituents of the wet gas feedstock. The separated, dry gas egresses the separator through a straw of the dried gas egress that extends into the interior of a separation chamber of the separator from the top thereof. The separated liquids egress from the separator through the first liquid egress.