Vaporization Chamber Apertures for CO2 Plugging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The liquefaction of natural gas is hindered by carbon dioxide, which forms solid crystals that settle and clump, causing plugging issues in heat exchangers, reducing their effectiveness and requiring costly pre-cleanup processes in traditional systems.
Innovation Solution
A vaporization chamber with discrete apertures in its conduit allows for efficient heat transfer and fluid mixing, preventing carbon dioxide crystals from settling and clumping by directing jets of fluid into the conduit, promoting turbulence and heat exchange, thereby facilitating the sublimation of carbon dioxide without plugging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If standard heat exchangers are used to sublime carbon dioxide, then heat transfer can occur, but solid carbon dioxide settles and clumps causing plugging in piping and ports
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit is designed with a downward slope from inlet to outlet, creating a dynamic gravitational flow that continuously moves solid carbon dioxide particles through the system. This dynamic configuration prevents particles from settling and clumping in any single location, thereby maintaining reliable operation without plugging while still enabling effective heat transfer for sublimation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a spatial dimension element by sloping the conduit downward at a specific angle. This dimensional change in the conduit configuration allows gravity to act along the length of the conduit, creating a continuous flow path that prevents particle accumulation and plugging while maintaining the necessary heat transfer surface area.
2Productivity
If carbon dioxide is removed from natural gas prior to liquefaction, then the liquefaction process can proceed, but large filtration equipment is required which consumes significant energy and is expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the carbon dioxide sublimation function with the existing heat exchanger used for natural gas liquefaction. The same heat exchanger that cools and liquefies natural gas also serves to sublime the carbon dioxide by heating the liquid natural gas, which then contacts the solid carbon dioxide. This combination eliminates the need for separate, complex filtration equipment while maintaining productive liquefaction operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: cooling and liquefying natural gas, and sublimating carbon dioxide. The liquid natural gas serves dual purposes as both the cooling medium for liquefaction and the heating medium for carbon dioxide sublimation, creating a universal system that improves productivity without adding device complexity.
3Temperature
If liquid natural gas is heated to vaporize it, then heat transfer occurs, but solid carbon dioxide crystals clump together due to tumbling interaction, leading to plugging
Solution Approach 1:
The downward-sloping conduit creates a dynamic flow regime where liquid natural gas continuously moves downward under gravity. This dynamic flow prevents solid carbon dioxide crystals from clumping by maintaining constant motion and preventing tumbling interactions. The system maintains reliable crystal transport capability while achieving the necessary vaporization through controlled heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses the flow pattern of liquid natural gas as a copying mechanism to transport solid carbon dioxide crystals. The liquid flow pattern is designed to carry the crystals along the sloped conduit, replicating an effective transport mechanism that prevents clumping while allowing heat transfer to occur for vaporization.
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 vaporization chamber effectively vaporizes liquid natural gas and transfers solid carbon dioxide efficiently, reducing fouling and plugging risks, enabling continuous operation and improving the overall efficiency of the liquefaction process.
Implementation Method 1
transfers heat from the second fluid to the first fluid
Implementation Method 2
each discrete aperture of the plurality of discrete apertures sized and configured to direct a jet of fluid into the at least one conduit from the chamber
Implementation Method 3
directing jets of fluid into the conduit, promoting turbulence and heat exchange
Implementation Method 4
facilitating the sublimation of carbon dioxide without plugging
Data Source
AI summary
A vaporization chamber may include at least one conduit and a shell. The at least one conduit may have an inlet at a first end, an outlet at a second end and a flow path therebetween. The shell may surround a portion of each conduit and define a chamber surrounding the portion of each conduit. Additionally, a plurality of discrete apertures may be positioned at longitudinal intervals in a wall of each conduit, each discrete aperture of the plurality of discrete apertures sized and configured to direct a jet of fluid into each conduit from the chamber. A liquid may be vaporized by directing a first fluid comprising a liquid into the inlet at the first end of each conduit, directing jets of a second fluid into each conduit from the chamber through discrete apertures in a wall of each conduit and transferring heat from the second fluid to the first fluid.