The subject matter of the present disclosure relates to a turbomachine.
More particularly, the embodiments of the invention will be described specifically as applied to a subsea motorcompressor, however this will be done without losing the general approach.
According to the state of the art, a subsea motorcompressor comprises an electric motor and an operating portion, itself comprising a rotor. For example, the operating portion can be a centrifugal compressor. A shaft is connected to both the electric motor and the rotor. The rotor comprises a plurality of compression stages connected to the shaft. Each stage has an intake and a discharge duct for a process fluid. The motorcompressor stages are also placed in fluid communication with each other serially, so that the discharge of each stage feeds the intake of the next.
In a known subsea motorcompressor, the stages are assembled in a vertical configuration, meaning that the shaft itself is arranged vertically. A drainage sump is placed at the bottom, so that it can collect all of the liquids entering in the machine during the installation or operation. In another configuration, the shaft can be arranged horizontally, with the sump arranged below the stages.
The sump can then be drained through a flange on the bottom connected to an external pumping device through a valve. Disadvantageously, the drainage operation is not automatized, as it requires the intervention of the operator. Also, the current system requires that the motorcompressor be taken offline for drainage.
One embodiment of the invention therefore relates to a drainage apparatus for a subsea motorcompressor. The apparatus comprises a first pipe having a first end and a second end. The first end is configured to be inserted in a drainage sump of a subsea motorcompressor. The second end is configured to be connected to an intake duct of a stage of the motorcompressor. The apparatus comprises a device for generating a pressure difference between the second and the first end, so that liquid is taken from the drainage sump and delivered into the intake.
Another embodiment relates to a motorcompressor comprises a drainage sump. The motorcompressor also comprises a plurality of stages, each having an intake and a discharge duct for a process fluid. An apparatus as the one described above is placed in fluid communication with the drainage sump and with an intake of one of the stages.
Further details and specific embodiments will refer to the attached drawings,
In which:
The following description of exemplary embodiments refer to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. The following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.
Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
With reference to the attached drawings, with the number 1 is indicated a drainage apparatus for a motorcompressor according to an embodiment of the present invention. Similarly, with the number 2 is indicated a motorcompressor according to a further embodiment of the present invention.
The motorcompressor 2 comprises a plurality of stages 3. Each stage 3 has a duct 4 for a process fluid. The duct 4 has an intake 5 and a discharge section 6 for the process fluid. Inside the duct 4, each stage 3 is provided with a rotating element 7, which can be, depending on the kind of machine, either a rotor of a turbine or an impeller of a compressor.
As it is usual in these machines, the stages 3 are arranged serially. In other words, the discharge section 6 of the duct 4 of each stage 3 is placed in direct fluid communication with the intake section 5 of the duct 4 of the next stage 3. Therefore, each stage 3 compresses the process fluid which is discharged by the previous stage 3 in the sequence. As shown in
According to the embodiments shown in
The motorcompressor 2 also comprises a drainage sump 9. The drainage sump 9 is placed at the bottom, below all the stages 3. In the configuration of the motorcompressor 2 shown in the figures, the sump 9 is placed below the lowest stage 3, in which is the process fluid has the highest pressure.
The motorcompressor 2 also comprises a droplet/solid particles separator 11 upstream of the first stage 3.
Also, the motorcompressor 2 is provided with an external casing 12, which encloses all the above mentioned components and protects them from the outside environment.
As shown in the figures, the apparatus 1 is installed inside the motorcompressor 2 just described. Specifically, the apparatus 1 comprises a first pipe 10. The first pipe 10 has a first end 10a, which is configured to be inserted in the drainage sump 9 of the motorcompressor 2. The first pipe 10 also has a second end 10b, which is configured to be connected to the stage 3 or to the inlet duct of the motorcompressor 2. More particularly, the second end 10b of the first pipe 10 is attached to the intake section 5 of the stage 3. In an embodiment, the second end 10b of the first pipe 10 is attached to the intake section 5 of the duct 4 of the first stage of the motorcompressor 2.
In an embodiment, the first pipe 10 is also enclosed by the casing 12 of the motorcompressor.
The apparatus 1 also comprises a device 13 for generating a pressure difference between the second 10b and the first end 10a of the first pipe 10.
In this way, the liquid is suctioned from the drainage sump 9 and delivered into the process fluid inside the motorcompressor 2.
According to the embodiments shown in
The second pipe 14 also has a second end 14b, which is fluidly connected to say first pipe 10 at an intermediate point between said first and second ends 10a, 10b. Therefore, the second pipe takes a portion of the process fluid from inside the motorcompressor 2 and delivers it inside the first pipe 10.
With more detail, in the detail shown in
Should any further increase be necessary, it is possible to connect any number of devices 13 for creating a pressure difference as described above.
In an embodiment, and similarly to the first pipe 10, also the second pipe 14 is placed inside the casing 12 of the motorcompressor 2.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the preferred embodiments, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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102015000034942 | Jul 2015 | IT | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2016/066885 | 7/15/2016 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO2017/009451 | 1/19/2017 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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4505645 | Laguilharre | Mar 1985 | A |
4938664 | Zinsmeyer | Jul 1990 | A |
5382141 | Stinessen | Jan 1995 | A |
20110223039 | Fang | Sep 2011 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
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462 145 | Jun 1975 | AU |
2011-111990 | Jun 2011 | JP |
2009111616 | Sep 2009 | WO |
Entry |
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Italian Search Report and Written Opinion issued in connection with corresponding IT Application No. 102015000034942 dated Mar. 14, 2016. |
International Search Report and Written Opinion issued in connection with corresponding PCT Application No. PCT/EP2016/066885 dated Sep. 29, 2016. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability issued in connection with corresponding PCT Application No. PCT/EP2016/066885 dated Jan. 16, 2018. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20190010947 A1 | Jan 2019 | US |