Vortex-Heated Fluid Regulator for Valve Icing Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fluid regulators face icing issues due to hydrate formation at points of pressure reduction, which can hinder performance by clogging valves and affecting pressure control, despite existing solutions relying on external heat sources.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a vortex generator within the regulator body to generate heat, transferring it to the regulator valve through conduction, fluid mixing, or serial flow, preventing hydrate formation without external heating sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If external heat sources are used to prevent hydrate formation, then icing prevention is achieved, but device complexity and heat loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveicing preventionVSAvoidexternal heating system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vortex generator is integrated directly into the regulator body, merging the heating function with the pressure regulation function. This eliminates the need for separate external heat sources and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining effective hydrate prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The vortex generator utilizes the kinetic energy of the flowing fluid itself to generate heat through vortex formation and dissipation. This self-heating mechanism eliminates dependence on external energy sources, making the system self-sufficient for icing prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If external heat sources are used to prevent hydrate formation, then icing prevention is achieved, but energy loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveicing preventionVSAvoidheat loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The vortex generator converts the kinetic energy of the flowing fluid, which would otherwise be wasted, into useful thermal energy through vortex dissipation. This transforms a potentially harmful pressure drop into a beneficial heating effect that prevents hydrate formation.

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the energy parameters of the flowing fluid by creating controlled vortices that dissipate kinetic energy as heat. This parameter transformation occurs within the regulator body, efficiently transferring thermal energy to prevent icing without external heat input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If vortex generator is integrated into regulator body, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidintegration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The vortex generator is designed as a separate insertable component that can be manufactured independently and then integrated into the regulator body. This segmentation allows for specialized manufacturing of the vortex element while keeping the overall assembly process manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vortex generator is designed to nest within the regulator body, with the vortex element fitting into a dedicated chamber or passage. This nested configuration maximizes heat transfer efficiency by placing the heating element in direct contact with the fluid flow path while maintaining a compact, manufacturable structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

Efficient heat transfer to the regulator valve prevents icing, maintaining consistent pressure output and regulator performance without external heat sources, while reducing noise and environmental heat loss.

Implementation Method 1

A vortex generator is to generate heat prior to the fluid flowing through the second valve to the outlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVortex flow heating: Vortex Generator

Implementation Method 2

transferring it to the regulator valve through conduction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

the stem is to control the first valve and the second valve to regulate an amount of the heat conveyed to the first valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection heating: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS10100854B2Heated fluid regulators

Publication Date: 2018.10.16 EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

Example apparatus for regulator heat transfer are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a housing including an inlet, an outlet, a first valve, and a stem disposed therein. The example apparatus includes a vortex generator disposed in the housing. A fluid is to flow from the inlet through the vortex generator. The example apparatus includes a second valve disposed in the vortex generator. In the example apparatus, the vortex generator is to generate heat prior to the fluid flowing through the second valve to the outlet. The stem is to control the first valve and the second valve to regulate an amount of the heat conveyed to the first valve.