Patent Application
20200116143
Large industrial compressors are used in multiple applications among the world and across industries, including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) loading/unloading, gas lift operations, gas (e.g., hydrogen) compression, and various other aspects of gas compression across the globe.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key factors or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
One or more techniques and systems are described herein for a compressor technology that may be used to improve operations and outcomes of a compressor. For example, existing compressors with reciprocating pistons utilize a packing system to mitigate leaks. As described herein, a flexible diaphragm may be disposed in a fixed arrangement with the piston rod and the chamber wall of a compressor, to improve leakage prevention, and improve overall operations and maintenance of the compressor.
A compressor may comprise a first chamber and a second chamber fluidly coupled with the first chamber. A piston may be disposed in the first chamber. A rod may be operably connected to the piston, and the rod may extend from the first chamber and through the second chamber. A diaphragm disposed in the second chamber operably connected to the piston and a sidewall of the second chamber.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the following description and annexed drawings set forth certain illustrative aspects and implementations. These are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which one or more aspects may be employed. Other aspects, advantages and novel features of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the annexed drawings.
The claimed subject matter is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are generally used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. It may be evident, however, that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the claimed subject matter.
Large industrial compressors are used in multiple applications across the world ranging from liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) loading/unloading, gas lift operations, hydrogen compression, and various other aspects of gas compression across the globe. Most compressors of this size and nature (e.g., 5-500+ Horse Power) utilize a packing scheme to: 1) mitigate oil carry over from the crankcase to the process gas; 2) mitigate process gas contamination in the compressor crankcase/mechanical chambers; and 3) mitigate process gas leakage into the operating environment (e.g., environmental leaks).
In most cases the existing packaging scheme is composed of either a series of v-ring lip type seals that are stacked together, or that are arranged in a segmented arrangement, depending on application needs. The inventive concept described herein was inspired by the current state of packing design across the compressor industry, and a need to improve compressor efficiencies, and to reduce adverse effects on the environment due to leakage of either process gas or oil.
The inventive concept described herein allows for a new packing design which separates both chambers from each other, and mitigates carry over potential of oil to process gas, while also reducing leak potential by providing a diaphragm. Such as design will not wear out as often due to piston stroke, but instead stays in motion with the piston rod.
The inventive concept described herein can incorporate a packing diaphragm created from a flexible elastomer material, which can be utilized as a seal between the compression chamber (e.g., comprising process gas) and the mechanical work chamber (e.g., crankcase, crosshead guide). As an example, the diaphragm may be made of materials that are appropriate for the target use, such as to accommodate specific products that may come into contact with the diaphragm. For example, the diaphragm may comprise Teflon, Viton, nitrile silicone, EPDM rubber (ethylene propylene diene monomer (M-class) rubber), or any other flexible and appropriate thermoplastic or rubber that could be used as a diaphragm.
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In the example of
As an example, as the compressor turns through one full rotation, one full compression cycle may be completed and the diaphragm 210 can move from bottom dead center to top dead center. This process can repeat with every rotation of the compressor crankshaft 230, which may be operably coupled to the piston rod 212. In other words, one rotation of the crank shaft 230 may comprise the diaphragm 210 comprising an upstroke position, a center position, a downstroke position, a center position and returning to the upstroke position.
In one nonlimiting example, the compressor 200 may further comprise a first stage inlet 232 fluidly coupled with a first stage outlet 234. The first stage inlet 232 and the first stage outlet 234 may be operably coupled with the mechanical work chamber 216 with valves such that product can enter and exit the compression chamber 218. The compressor may be further comprise a second stage inlet 238 and a second stage outlet 240. The second stage inlet 238 and the second stage outlet 234 may be positioned adjacent to or above the compression chamber 218. The second stage inlet may be fluidly coupled with the first stage outlet 234 and the second stage outlet 240. Valves fluidly coupled with the second stage inlet 238 and the second stage outlet 240 may further regulate product, such as process gas, being passed through the compressor 200. The compressor 200 may also comprise a crosshead 242 as shown in
In yet another implementation, two separate rods for two separate chambers both utilizing the diaphragm. In another nonlimiting implementation shown in
This inventive concept described herein could be used in practically any compression application where the purity of the process gas is very important, and contamination could potentially ruin the end product gas and/or components downstream from the compressor. Further, the inventive concept described herein would reduce any process gas leakage to the mechanical work chamber, and out to the operating environment. The inventive concept described herein is novel because it eliminates the typical packing wear component (e.g.,
This inventive concept described herein comprises and improvement over existing technology for at least the following reasons. Reduced maintenance intervals on the pumps are achieved because the wear component (e.g., packing v-rings or segments) of existing compressors will not need to be replaced often. Further, leakage reduction to the atmosphere and mechanical work chamber may occur due to improved sealing between the pump chambers 216, 218. Further, elimination of fluid, such as oil, carry over into process gas in the compression chamber 218 may occur due to improved sealing of the diaphragm 210. In addition, example implementations described herein may achieve better compliance with ever increasing emphasis on emission standards.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. Further, At least one of A and B and/or the like generally means A or B or both A and B. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims may generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form.
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
Also, although the disclosure has been shown and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art based upon a reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. The disclosure includes all such modifications and alterations and is limited only by the scope of the following claims. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components (e.g., elements, resources, etc.), the terms used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component which performs the specified function of the described component (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary implementations of the disclosure. In addition, while a particular feature of the disclosure may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “having,” “has,” “with,” or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.”
The implementations have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
This nonprovisional patent application claims priority to provisional patent application 62/744,183 filed on Oct. 11, 2018, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62744183 | Oct 2018 | US |
