Vertical Gas Purification Assembly to Reduce Floor Space and Pipework
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas purification devices in air separation units require extensive pipework and complex layouts, leading to significant floor space occupation and pressure drops due to long distances between equipment, which increases installation costs and time.
Innovation Solution
The device divides the assembly of valves and pipework into two sub-assemblies, with one on the floor and the other elevated along the same vertical axis, reducing the overall length of pipework and welds, and is prefabricated for easier transport and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the assembly of valves and pipework is laid flat on the floor in front of or between the purification cylinders, then the device can be assembled, but the cross-sectional area occupies a very large floor space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional floor-based layout to a three-dimensional vertical arrangement. The pipework assembly is elevated on supports structures, utilizing the vertical dimension to reduce floor space occupation while maintaining all necessary connection functions between adsorbers, compressors, and exchangers.
2Ease of operation
If the pipework is arranged with large distances between equipment interfaces, then all equipment can be connected, but the amount of pipes and bends increases leading to pressure drops
Solution Approach 1:
By elevating the pipework assembly vertically on supports, the patent reduces the horizontal distances between equipment interfaces. This vertical positioning allows for shorter, more direct pipe routes with fewer bends, thereby maintaining equipment connectivity while minimizing pressure drops in the gas flow.
3Ease of operation
If extensive pipework and complex layouts are used to connect all equipment, then complete equipment connectivity is achieved, but installation costs and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical elevation of the pipework assembly on supports simplifies the overall layout and reduces the complexity of connections. This organized three-dimensional arrangement makes the system more modular and easier to assemble on-site, thereby reducing installation time and costs while maintaining complete equipment connectivity.
4Ease of operation
If the pipework assembly is laid on the floor with large distances, then equipment can be connected, but the number of welds increases
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the pipework assembly vertically on supports, the patent reduces the total length of pipes required and minimizes the number of bends and joints needed. This directly reduces the number of welds required for assembly, simplifying the device while maintaining all necessary equipment connections.
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 configuration results in a 40% reduction in pipework length, 15% fewer welds, and a 51% reduction in floor space, significantly lowering installation costs and time, while allowing for prefabrication and easier on-site connections.
Implementation Method 1
Purifications, or a purification device, in air separation units (ASUs) make it possible to mainly remove water and CO2 from the air before entry into the cryogenic cold box
Data Source
AI summary
A gas purification device including two adsorbers, each having a lower portion and an upper portion, a gas compressor, a heater, a set of exchangers, a first assembly of pipework and valves, and a second assembly of pipework and valves, wherein the first assembly of pipework and valves is located on the floor or on a metal structure proximate to the lower portion, and the second assembly of pipework and valves is located high up along the same vertical axis as the first assembly of pipework and valves proximate to the upper portion.