Module for a Gas System

• US 20080210316A1
• Filed: 07/14/2006
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Indufil BV (Indufil B)
• Original Assignee: Indufil BV (Indufil B)
• Inventors: Pas, Peter Alexander Josefus, Greter, Frits Nicolaas Johannes Jacob
• Application Number:
  US11/995,692
• Publication Number:
  US 20080210316A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/561R
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0146 with details of the manifold
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/032 Hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/033 Methane, e.g. natural gas, CNG, LNG, GNL, GNC, PLNG
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/035 Propane butane, e.g. LPG, GPL
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/043 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0443 Flow or movement of content
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/024 Improving metering
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/36 the pressure or differential pressure being created by the use of flow constriction
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/005 Valves valves in general F16K
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/185 Connecting means, e.g. bypass conduits
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8593 Systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/85978 With pump
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87153 Plural noncommunicating flow paths
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87249 Multiple inlet with multiple outlet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/877 With flow control means for branched passages

Abstract

Module assembly for a gas system operating at pressures greater than 100 bar. The assembly comprises at least two modules made as solid metal blocks. Bach block provided with a system of drilled channels and appendages. The system of channels comprises a main and at least one branch channel. The appendages comprise at least a shut-off valve and a flow or pressure meter connected to the branch channel. The blocks of two modules are positioned laterally against one another. Each block having openings aligned with a corresponding number of openings in the other block, for joining channels in the one block to channels in the other block. The invention furthermore relates to a gas system provided with the module assembly according to the invention and to the use of such an assembly.

Claims

1. Assembly comprising at least two modules (40) for a system operating with a gas, wherein each module (40) is adapted to withstand very high pressure during operation, in particular a pressure higher than 100 bar, such as higher than 150 bar, wherein each module (40) comprises:

at least one solid metal block (60) provided with a system (61) of drilled channels;

appendages connected to said channels and fixed to the block;

wherein the system of channels comprises a main channel (65) as well as at least one branch channel (67) connected to the main channel (65);

wherein the appendages comprise at least one valve and at least one meter (69);

wherein the at least one meter (69) comprises a meter connected to the branch channel (67) for measuring a flow value of the flow through the main channel (65) of said system;

wherein the at least one valve comprises a shut-off valve (70) provided on the branch channel (67) for closing or opening the branch channel (67); and

wherein the blocks (60) of two modules (40) are positioned laterally against one another with, in each case, one or more openings of bores in the one block (60) aligned with a corresponding number of openings of bores in the other block (60), said openings being connected to one another in a sealed manner in order to join channels (65) in the one block (60) to channels (65) in the other block (60).

2. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one valve of a module (40) furthermore comprises a bleed valve (71), which on one side is connected to the at least one branch channel and on the other side opens into a flow opening.

3. Assembly according to claim 2, wherein the module is intended to contain an H-containing gas and wherein the flow opening is connected to a feed or discharge channel for a gas that is inert with respect to the H-containing gas.

4. Assembly according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the at least one meter comprises an absolute pressure meter (69) which is connected to the main channel (65) via a single said at least one branch channel (67) provided with a said shut-off valve (70) and a said bleed valve (71).

5. Assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the system of drilled channels of a module (40) comprises at least two branch channels (67, 68), each of which contains a shut-off valve (70) for closing or opening the branch channel (67, 68) concerned, wherein at least one branch channel (67) is connected to the main channel (65), and wherein the at least one meter is provided with a pressure difference meter (69′

), which is connected between said two branch channels (67, 68).

6. Assembly according to claim 5, wherein the branch channels (67, 68), in the section between the shut-off valves (70) and the connection to said meter (69′

), are connected to one another by a pressure equalisation channel (73), and wherein the at least one valve furthermore comprises an equaliser valve (75) provided in said pressure equalisation channel (73) for opening and closing the equalisation channel (73).

7. Assembly according to claim 5 or 6 in combination with claim 2 or 3, wherein a module (40) comprises two of said bleed valves (71), each connected to one of the respective branch channels (67, 68).

8. Assembly according to claim 7, wherein the bleed valves (71) are connected to the equalisation channel (73) on either side of the equaliser valve (75).

9. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system of drilled channels of a module (40) comprises at least one throughput channel (83) that is connected between the branch channels (67, 68), and wherein the appendages furthermore comprise a throttle device (78), which is provided in the throughput channel (83).

10. Assembly according to claim 9, wherein the throughput channel (83) is constituted by the main channel (65).

11. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the main channel (65) of a module (40) is connected via a link channel (81) to the at least one branch channel (67), and wherein a main shut-off valve (80) is provided in the link channel (81).

12. Assembly according to claim 11, wherein the main channel (65) is adapted for distribution of the gas to said module (40) and also to one or more other devices, such as one or more modules (40) according to one of the preceding claims.

13. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the throughput channel (83) has an outlet end (85) that is provided with a one-way valve (87) (check valve), which only allows gas through that is flowing in the direction out of the module (40).

14. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more openings of the bores forming channels of a module (40) are closed off by a stopper (98).

15. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of the drilled channels (101, 102) of the channel system of a module (40) that are to be connected to one another cross one another some distance apart and wherein a transverse bore (103) for connecting them together is provided transversely to said crossing channels.

16. Assembly according to claim 15, wherein a said at least one valve is provided in said transverse bore (103).

17. Assembly according to claim 16, wherein the valve is provided with a shut-off valve which has a ball (105) with a diameter greater than the diameter of the transverse bore (103), which ball (105) can be driven onto a closing end of the transverse bore (103) to close off the transverse bore (103), and wherein the ball (105) is made of a material that has a greater hardness than the material of the block (60) in which the transverse bore (103) has been made, and wherein the transverse bore (103) has a valve seat for the ball (105) which is formed by pressing the ball (105) onto the transverse bore (103) with a force that gives rise to plastic deformation of the edges of the transverse bore (103).

18. Assembly according to claim 17, wherein the ball (105) is made of ceramic.

19. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection between the openings of the laterally positioned modules (40) comprises a sleeve fitting in both openings, which sleeve has at least one sealing ring on each end to be accommodated in a respective opening, to produce a seal between the sleeve and the respective opening.

20. Module for an assembly according to one of the preceding claims.

21. Gas system, comprising:

a gas compressor (2), in particular a centrifugal compressor, adapted for a pressure on the high pressure side of at least 100 bar, in particular 150 bar or more;

a gas seal device comprising one or more modules (40) according to one of claims 1-14 and/or an assembly according to one of claims 15-16;

wherein the gas compressor (2) has an essentially closed housing (4) in which one or more vanes, mounted on bearings on a drive shaft, are provided, wherein the drive shaft is mounted on bearings in the compressor housing (4) on the high pressure side of the compressor (2) and protrudes from the housing (4) through a seal on the low pressure side of the compressor (2);

wherein the inlet of the gas seal device is connected to the high pressure side of the compressor (2);

wherein the outlet of the gas seal device is connected to the seal in order to force gas from the high pressure side of the compressor (2) under pressure from outside the housing through the seal into the housing.

22. Gas system according to claim 21, wherein the gas seal device has a gas filter.

23. Gas system according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the gas compressor (2) and the gas seal device can be filled with an H-containing gas, and wherein the gas system (1) furthermore has a buffer gas device adapted for purging the gas system with a gas that is inert to the H-containing gas.

24. Use of a module, assembly or gas system according to one of the respective preceding claims, at a gas pressure of at least 100 bar, such as at least 150 bar or at least 200 bar.