Thermodynamic system containing a fluid, and method for reducing pressure therein
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermodynamic systems face challenges in efficiently reducing settle-out pressure after shutdown, leading to increased startup difficulties due to elevated pressures exceeding design conditions, especially in hot environments, resulting in operational inefficiencies and potential system disruption.
Innovation Solution
A thermodynamic system with a chilling arrangement coupled to a fluid collection vessel to remove heat and condense gaseous working fluid into liquid, reducing internal pressure without venting, thereby facilitating system startup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the thermodynamic system is shut down in a hot environment, then the ambient temperature causes the liquid working fluid to vaporize and pressurize the closed circuit, but the resulting settle-out pressure becomes well above the design point and prevents compressor startup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by cooling the fluid collection vessel to a temperature below the ambient temperature, thereby changing the temperature parameter of the working fluid to reduce the equilibrium pressure from above-design values to acceptable startup levels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions by condensing the vaporized working fluid back into liquid phase through cooling, which reduces the pressure in the closed circuit and enables compressor restart without venting or complex recovery systems
2Stress or pressure
If a recovery compressor is used to transfer gas in the condenser and liquefy working fluid, then the pressure in the closed circuit is reduced, but the system complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by using the existing fluid collection vessel and its inherent cooling capability (or simple external cooling) to reduce pressure, eliminating the need for additional recovery compressors or complex liquefaction systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the pressure reduction function from the main system by isolating the fluid collection vessel as a separate cooling zone, allowing pressure reduction without involving the compressor or condenser in the startup process
3Stress or pressure
If venting of the circuit is performed to remove gas and reduce pressure, then the pressure is reduced, but valuable working fluid is lost and environmental pollution occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses phase transition from vapor to liquid through cooling to reduce pressure, allowing all working fluid to be retained in the closed circuit without venting, thus preventing both fluid loss and environmental pollution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful high-pressure condition into a beneficial state by using the ambient temperature itself as a heat source that, when reversed through cooling, condenses the vapor and reduces pressure without losing any working fluid
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 effectively lowers the system pressure to a suitable level for restart without complex measures or fluid waste, ensuring efficient operation and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
removing heat from the fluid contained in said fluid collection vessel. The method further includes condensing gaseous working fluid into liquefied working fluid thus reducing said fluid pressure in the thermodynamic system
Implementation Method 2
A chilling arrangement is functionally coupled to the fluid collection vessel and adapted to remove heat from the working fluid contained in the fluid collection vessel and thereby reduce pressure in the thermodynamic system
Data Source
AI summary
A thermodynamic system containing a working fluid is disclosed. The thermodynamic system comprises at least a working fluid collection vessel (11) adapted to contain a liquid phase and a gaseous phase of the working fluid in thermodynamic equilibrium. A chilling arrangement (51) is functionally coupled to the fluid collection vessel (11) and adapted to remove heat from the working fluid collected in the working fluid collection vessel (11) and thereby reduce pressure in said thermodynamic system. Also disclosed are methods for depressurizing a thermodynamic system containing a working fluid in liquid/gas equilibrium.