Thermal Gas Compression via Indirect Heat Exchange

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional gas turbine processes require large compressors and utilize energy from rotational expanders for compression, making them inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

A process that increases the pressure and temperature of a feed gas through indirect heat exchange with a fluid at a higher temperature, using a system with interconnected zones for continuous gas circulation and pressure leveling, allowing for efficient compression without relying on rotational energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a traditional gas turbine process uses a large compressor driven by rotational expanders, then gas compression is achieved, but the system becomes inefficient and costly due to energy consumption and large equipment size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidcompressor size

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical compression system (compressor driven by rotational expanders) with a thermal compression system. Gas is compressed by indirect heat exchange with a fluid at higher temperature, converting thermal energy into compression work. This eliminates the need for large mechanical compressors and their associated drive systems, directly resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the fundamental parameter used for compression from mechanical work to thermal energy. By using a fluid at elevated temperature to indirectly heat the feed gas, the system achieves pressure increase through thermal parameters rather than mechanical parameters, thereby reducing equipment size while improving energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If indirect heat exchange is used to compress gas, then compressor size is reduced, but the process requires a fluid at elevated temperature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressor sizeVSAvoidfluid temperature requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the requirement for elevated temperature fluid from a disadvantage into a benefit by integrating it with gas turbine exhaust streams or other thermal processes. The high-temperature fluid, which would otherwise be waste heat, is utilized for compression purposes, thereby reducing compressor size while making productive use of available thermal energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 process enables the compression of gas using thermal energy, reducing the need for large compressors and expanders, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective gas turbine operation.

Implementation Method 1

increasing the heat and pressure of the enclosed gas by indirect heat exchange against a fluid having a higher temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIndirect heat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

the driving gas zone is fluidly connected to the fresh gas zone wherein the high pressure of the driving gas zone levels with the lower pressure of the fresh gas zone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure leveling: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS10823065B2Process and configuration to obtain a compressed gas

Publication Date: 2020.11.03 ICE IND PROPERTIES

AI summary

The invention is directed to a process to increase pressure and temperature of a feed gas by means of indirect heat exchange against a fluid having a higher temperature to obtain a gas high in pressure and temperature in a system. The system comprises a fluidly interconnected inlet zone, a heat exchange zone, a product gas zone and a low pressure outlet zone.