EP1533675A1 - Method and device for heating the control gas for a pneumatic regulator of a gas pressure regulator - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for heating the control gas for a pneumatic regulator of a gas pressure regulator unit, whereby a tangential gas flow (1) entering a cylindrical eddy chamber (30) divides into two gas flows (3, 4) with different temperatures due to the Ranque effect. The warmer of the two flows warms the control gas for a pneumatic regulator in a heat exchanger. An independent claim is made for a device for heating the control gas in the inlet line to a pneumatic regulator of a gas pressure regulating unit.

Description

The invention relates to a method for heating the control gas for a pneumatic regulator of a gas pressure regulator and a Device for heating the control gas in the inlet pressure line to a pneumatic regulator of a gas pressure regulator, in particular to carry out the aforementioned method.

Often gas pressure regulators are used in gas pressure control systems, which work with auxiliary power, which is a pneumatic regulator assigned. The controller is correlated to the main actuator Gas relaxation and thus the corresponding temperature reduction. Unlike the actuator but are relatively small nozzles and in the controller Flow channels present, which are significantly more susceptible to clogging by methane crystals (hydrates) due to icing than the actuator itself. The risk of icing then exists when due to the relaxation of a gas due to the Joule-Thomsen effect the temperature of the gas drops sharply. It is true that with a pressure reduction of 1 bar a decrease in temperature by approx. 0.4 ° K is connected. If the gas temperature falls below the Relaxation organ the dew point of the gas, can become methane crystals form, which disturb the function in particular of the controller. It exists but not only the danger of the aforementioned blockage of the Nozzle or the flow channels in the controller, but rather causes a strong Cooling of the gas, and thus of the components, also a negative impact on the elasticity behavior of the comparator membranes. This is synonymous with unwanted major deviations.

To meet the disadvantages mentioned above, is often in the Input pressure line of the regulator integrated an electric preheater, the heats the gas flow leading to the controller. The electric preheating of the control gas in the input pressure line of the regulator represents the Functioning of the controller safe. However, this procedure is energy-consuming and therefore expensive.

The invention is therefore based on the object, a method and a To provide device of the type mentioned, with the Preheating the gas flow to the controller out in a cheaper way can be accomplished.

The object is achieved according to the method thereby solved that after the Ranque-Hilsch effect in a cylindrical Vortex chamber tangentially inflowing gas in particular with supercritical pressure gradient is different in two gas streams Temperature divides, wherein the warmer of the two gas streams through a Heat exchanger heated the control gas for the pneumatic controller. In this context, supercritical means that the absolute Gas pressure before entering the vortex chamber is about twice as high as the absolute pressure behind the vortex chamber.

The device for heating the control gas in the inlet pressure line to the pneumatic regulator of a gas pressure regulator, in particular for carrying out the method according to the invention is characterized through a housing with a cylindrical vortex chamber with a Inlet for the tangential inflow of the inlet pressure gas with a Pressure drop off, and at least one outlet for the warm and at least one further outlet for the cold gas, and a the Vortex chamber surrounding forming a gap space Heat exchanger, wherein the gap space at least one input port and at least one output port for the control gas for the having pneumatic regulator. Advantageously, the pressure gradient is supercritical. The so-called Ranque effect arises in a vortex tube or in a Hilsch tube. In a pipe, into which through a nozzle tangentially air or a other gas is blown under a pressure of a few bar arises Whirl around the tube axis, which is cold at the core and warm outside. The cold one Gas is allowed to flow off next to the nozzle through a shutter; the warm one Proportion escapes the other end of the pipe. By exploiting the Ranque effect using the Hilsch tube can thus be generate warm gas flow to the regulator via the inlet pressure line is fed, and in the regulator reliably the formation of methane crystals prevents and beyond the controller to operating temperature holds.

Further advantageous features and variants are the subclaims remove.

In detail, it is provided that the inlet for tangential inflow of the gas in the head area, ie at the upper end of the cylindrical Whirl chamber is arranged, wherein the warm gas outlet in the foot area, that is, at the opposite end to the inlet of the Input pressure gas is provided in the vortex chamber. Here is Furthermore provided that the cold gas outlet in the front of the cylindrical vortex chamber located at the opposite end too the warm gas outlet is arranged. It is further provided that the cold gas outlet centric in the face of the cylindrical Swirl chamber is located around the center in the vortex chamber ascending Cold gas can flow out.

According to a further feature of the invention, the hot gas outlet is through a throttle changeable in its cross section, wherein a correlation between the introduced gas volume and that through the cold gas outlet and the hot gas outlet emitted volume flow. Accordingly, the inlet for the input pressure gas in the Eddy chamber variable.

Specifically, this throttle has a center with the tip in the Vortex chamber projecting cone, the cone not only the Change of the cross section serves, but beyond that Distribution of the gas flow into the cold and hot gas flows influenced. The aperture on the cold gas side is variable to different in to be able to process the vortex chamber inflowing gas quantities.

As already discussed elsewhere, the gap space has at least one Inlet opening and at least one outlet opening for the control gas for the pneumatic regulator. It is essential that the entrance and the Output opening for the control gas in each case to the opposite Ends of the cylindrical vortex chamber are arranged to make one possible sweep the large area of the heat exchanger through the heated gas to let and to the temperature gradient in the vortex chamber optimal exploit because the temperature of the gas in the range of Wärmegasauslasses is highest.

The invention is also the control of the supply of heated control gas to the controller. In this respect, especially in the line arranged a valve to the inlet in the vortex chamber. Is advantageous if through the valve the inlet for the inlet pressure gas in the Vortex chamber is opened before the pneumatic regulator control gas requests. That is, the device for heating the control gas gets a certain flow to the regulator from the beginning with hot gas to supply.

According to a first variant, it is provided that in the line to the Inlet into the vortex chamber a shut-off valve is arranged. This Shut-off valve is operated manually, that is, whenever the Regulator is activated, the shut-off valve is opened.

In another second variant is in the line to the inlet in the Swirl chamber connected to a pneumatic control valve. To just to that flow of the device for heating the control gas ensure that the target pressure to open the control valve is higher than the Setpoint of the pressure of the pneumatic regulator of the gas pressure regulator.

According to another third variant is in the line to the inlet in the Whirl chamber arranged a switching valve. This switching valve is at Beginning change of the setting pressure of the pneumatic regulator driven. This means that the switching valve is designed so that it through the signal pressure is opened before the gas pressure regulator by the pneumatic regulator is put into operation. This has the advantage that the device for heating the control gas automatically with their Activity begins, and that setpoint changes to the pneumatic Regulator no readjustment of the setpoint upstream Control valve, as is the case with variant two, so that the closing pressure of the plant exclusively from the pneumatic Controller is determined.

It is also advantageous if the housing is in two parts with a Housing head and a housing sump is formed, wherein housing head and housing body are thermally separated to allow cooling of the Hull through the head, which has the Kaltgasabströmleitung to prevent. It turns out that when the hull is frozen the function of the device is not guaranteed.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the effluent through the hot gas outlet Gas is still used to heat the body sump. in this connection the housing sump has an axially extending second gap space on, which is arranged approximately semicircular in the housing base. At the the lower end is connected to the warm gas outlet, at the upper end It ends in a line that leads to the cold gas line.

Furthermore, it is provided that also supplied to the switching valve Input gas is heated by the housing, as it is also in the switching valve to a gas relaxation comes with the risk of icing. one Such icing is prevented when the switching valve is heated gas is supplied.

Fig. 1

veranschaulicht das Grundprinzip eines Wirbelrohres bzw. einer Wirbelkammer;

Fig. 2

zeigt die Vorrichtung zur Erwärmung des Gases in der Kopplung mit einem pneumatischen Regler und einem der Vorrichtung vorgeschalteten Absperrventil,

Fig. 3

zeigt eine Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1, wobei der Vorrichtung selbst ein pneumatisches Steuerventil vorgeschaltet ist;

Fig. 4

zeigt die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 mit einem der Vorrichtung vorgeschalteten Schaltventil.;

Fig. 5

zeigt die Einzelheit "X" aus Fig. 2 in einer Draufsicht;

Fig. 6

zeigt eine Vorrichtung entsprechend Fig. 2, bei der das Gehäuse einen zweiten Spaltraum aufweist;

Fig. 7

zeigt einen Schnitt gemäß der Linie VII - VII aus Fig. 6;

Fig. 8

zeigt eine Vorrichtung entsprechend Fig. 4, bei der das Gas mit dem Eingangsdruck für das Schaltventil durch das Gehäuse vorgewärmt wird.

With reference to the drawings, the invention will be explained in more detail below by way of example.

Fig. 1

illustrates the basic principle of a vortex tube or a vortex chamber;

Fig. 2

shows the device for heating the gas in the coupling with a pneumatic regulator and a device upstream of the shut-off valve,

Fig. 3

shows a device according to Figure 1, wherein the device itself is preceded by a pneumatic control valve.

Fig. 4

shows the device of Figure 2 with a device upstream switching valve .;

Fig. 5

shows the detail "X" of Figure 2 in a plan view.

Fig. 6

shows a device according to Figure 2, in which the housing has a second gap space ..;

Fig. 7

shows a section along the line VII - VII of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8

shows a device according to FIG. 4, in which the gas is preheated by the inlet pressure for the switching valve through the housing.

Figure 1 shows the basic principle of a vortex tube or Hilsch tube called; Here, the tangential inflow of the gas is characterized can be seen by the arrow 1 in the cylindrical vortex chamber 30, wherein the tangentially flowing gas stream into an outer gas stream, characterized by the arrows 3, and an inner ascending Gas flow, characterized by the arrows 4, divides. The ascending inner cold gas flow, characterized by the arrows 4, is out of the Vortex tube 2, led out according to the arrow 5, whereas the Warmgasanteil led out of the vortex tube according to the arrow 6 becomes. The cone designated 51 promotes the division of the imported tangential gas flow in the cold gas and the warm gas stream.

The illustrations shown in Figures 2 to 4 show both the Device 10 for heating the control gas, as well as the pneumatic regulator 15 and the actuator 40 as part of the gas pressure control system.

The circuits shown in Figures 2 to 4 differ in the Essentially only by the arrangement of a shut-off valve in the Input pressure line (Fig. 2), a control valve (Fig. 3) or a Switching valve in the inlet pressure line (Fig. 4).

In addition, in the illustration according to FIGS. 2 to 8, it can be seen that that the housing bottom 11b from the housing head 11a through an air gap 11c or other insulation is thermally separated. This is because through the Kaltgasabströmleitung 27 the housing removed a lot of heat becomes. In order to prevent the heat loss on the Transfers housing body, the thermal separation, for example, in shape an air gap 11c provided.

2, a device for heating the control gas with an upstream shut-off valve 25 shown. From the main 20 branches off a line 21, which splits into the so-called input pressure line 22 and the control gas inflow line 23. In the input pressure line 22 is the check valve 25, by means of which the volume the gas flow into the cylindrical vortex chamber 30 of the housing 11th is controlled. The into the cylindrical vortex chamber 30 through the input pressure line 22 tangential inflowing gas stream divides accordingly the description of FIG. 1 in a centrally rising cold gas stream 4 and a concentrically discharged hot gas stream 5. The cold gas stream 4 is through the cold gas outlet 27 a and 27 Kaltgasabströmleitung the Main line 20 fed behind the actuator 40. The training or Also, arrangement of the two inlets 22a of the input pressure line 22 in the cylindrical vortex chamber 30 results from FIG. 5 as a detail "X" It can be seen that the inlets 22a each such are arranged so that the gas tangentially into the cylindrical vortex chamber 30 flows in.

At the bottom, d. H. in the foot region of the cylindrical vortex chamber 30 is the total designated 50 choke. The throttle 50 includes an adjustable cone 51, in collaboration with the cylindrical shell 32 of the vortex chamber 30 forms a gap 52 through the concentrically guided hot gas through the outlet 35a through the Warmgasabströmleitung 35 turn the main line 20 after the Actuator 40 is supplied.

The vortex chamber 30 is formed radially by the cylindrical shell 32; this cylindrical jacket 32 in conjunction with the gap 33 is part of the heat exchanger 34. Through the inlet opening 23a through the Steuergaszuströmleitung 23, the supply of the control gas in the Gap space 33. The wall 32 of the heat exchanger 34 is replaced by the Warm gas stream 5 is heated. The through the conduit 23 into the gap 33rd inflowing control gas is in the gap 33 by the hot gas flow 5 in the vortex chamber is heated and is finally through the output port 37a supplied to the controller 15 through the control gas discharge line 37. In the regulator 15 finds a splitting of the through the control gas discharge 37th supplied heated control gas inasmuch as a part of the Gas flow through the control pressure line 41 is supplied to the actuator 40, wherein the remaining part of the control gas 15 supplied to the control by the Outflow line 42 of the main line 20 behind the actuator 40 is supplied becomes. The regulator 15 itself is through a measuring line 43 to the main line 20 connected behind the actuator 40.

The operation of the device for heating the control gas is now such that the start-up of the regulator, the shut-off valve 25 is opened, with the result that the controller 15 is supplied with warm control gas, so at work of the actuator and thus a gas relaxation formation of To prevent methane crystals in the controller 15.
In order to prevent icing in the Kaltgasabströmleitung 27, according to a feature of the invention, the hot gas line 35 is guided as a double tube around the Kaltgasabströmleitung to heat the Kaltgasabströmleitung from the outside.

The circuit of FIG. 3 differs essentially from the 2 only by the connection of a control valve 60 in the Input pressure line 22. In FIGS. 2 and 3 shown the same Objects also carry the same reference numerals.

The operation of the circuit according to FIG. 3 is now as follows:

The upstream of the device 10 for heating the control gas Control valve 60 is set to a set point that is slightly higher than the setpoint of the pneumatic regulator 15. As soon as the outlet pressure on the setpoint of this control valve 60 has dropped, it opens in it integrated valve 67 and takes the device 10 in operation. If now the Output pressure drops further and the pneumatic controller 15 in function takes, this is supplied with the through the line 37 to the controller supplied heated control gas. The upstream control valve 60 is now fully open; the pending before the pressure reducer 60 in the line 21 Input pressure is fully in the cylindrical vortex chamber 30th directed. In complete decommissioning of the pressure control system is running System to a closing pressure from the upstream control valve 60th is determined.

The illustration of the circuit according to FIG. 4 differs from that of FIG according to Fig. 2 or 3 in that the device 10 for heating the Control gas, the switching valve 70 is connected upstream. Also in terms of the Representation of FIG. 4 holds that the same objects same Reference numerals as in FIGS. 2 and 3 have.

As already explained, the device 10 is preceded by the switching valve 70. This switching valve 70 is characterized by a beginning Stelldruckänderung the pneumatic regulator 15 by the pressure in the control pressure line 41st driven. The drive 71 of the switching valve 70 is on the closing side 72nd from the outlet pressure in the main line 20 behind the actuator 40 and from the force of the closing spring 73 acted upon. The opening side 74 of Drive 71 of the switching valve 70 is connected by the control pressure line 41 the pneumatic regulator 15 in connection. Is the gas pressure regulator out of service, the pressure in the control pressure line 41 is equal to the Outlet pressure, d. H. the pressure in the main line 20 behind the actuator 40. The actuator 76 in the switching valve 70 is by the force of the closing spring 73 closed. The starting pressure build-up opens the actuator 76 in Switching valve 70 and takes the device for heating the control gas in function. In this case, the switching valve 70 is designed so that it by the Signal pressure is opened before the actual gas pressure regulator over the pneumatic regulator 15 is put into operation.

In the main line 20 after the actuator 40, the expanded gas is a Achieve temperature resulting from the Joule-Thomsen effect. The Measurement of the output pressure for the pneumatic controller 15 takes place via the line 43. Consequently, at the measuring point 27 no icing enter, is the controller 15 through the line 42 outflowing control gas discharged through this measuring line 43.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show an embodiment according to FIG. 2, in which the exiting from the outlet 35a hot gas still to heat the Housing body 11 b is used. That is, the according to Figure 2 in Foot area arranged hot gas line 35 is located at the Embodiment according to Figures 6 and 7 immediately below Housing head 11a as a hot gas line 35b. To warm up the Housing body as a connection between outlet 35a and the Hot gas line 35b is an axially extending second gap space 12th provided, which extends over part of the lateral surface of the housing body 11b extends. That is, the gap is roughly semicircular, so that the largest possible surface for heat dissipation exists (FIG 7). It has been found that this also the icing of the Housing 11, and in particular of the housing sump 11 b, avoided can be.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 8, this is achieved by switching valve 70 the line 21 supplied gas in the housing of the vortex chamber 30th heated. For this purpose, the gas with the inlet pressure in the line 23 in branched off the line 26, passed through the housing bottom 11 b, then to get to the switching valve 70, as already related to Figure 4 has been described. Background for this is that the incoming Gas in the switching valve relaxed, and there it consequently icing can come. This counteracts the supply of heated gas.

Claims (25)

Process for heating the control gas for a pneumatic regulator (15) a gas pressure regulator, wherein after the Ranque effect a in a cylindrical vortex chamber (30) tangentially inflowing gas with Pressure gradient in two gas streams (4, 5) of different temperature divides, wherein the warmer (5) of the two gas streams through a Heat exchanger (34) the control gas for the pneumatic regulator (15) heated. Device (10) for heating the control gas in the Inlet pressure line to a pneumatic regulator (15) of a gas pressure regulator, in particular according to claim 1, comprising a housing (11) having a cylindrical vortex chamber (30) with an inlet (22a) for tangential inflow of the inlet pressure gas with a supercritical Pressure drop and at least one outlet (35a) for the warm and at least one further outlet (27a) for the cold gas, and a the Vortex chamber (30) surrounding a gap space (33) Heat exchanger (34), wherein the gap space (33) at least one Entrance opening (22 a) and at least one output opening (37 a) for the Control gas for the pneumatic regulator (15). Device according to claim 2,
characterized in that the inlet (22a) for the tangential inflow of the gas in the head region of the cylindrical vortex chamber (33) is arranged. Device according to claim 2,
characterized in that the warm gas outlet (35a) is provided in the foot region, that is, at the opposite end to the inlet of the input pressurized gas in the swirl chamber (33). Device according to claim 4,
characterized in that the cold gas outlet (27a) is located in the end face of the cylindrical swirl chamber (30) located at the opposite end to the hot gas outlet (35a). Device according to claim 5,
characterized in that the cold gas outlet (27a) is arranged centrally in the end face of the cylindrical vortex chamber (30). Device according to claim 2,
characterized in that the input and output ports (23a, 37a) for the control gas are respectively disposed at the opposite end of the cylindrical swirl chamber (30). Device according to claim 2,
characterized in that the hot gas outlet (35a) is variable in its cross section by a throttle (50). Device according to claim 2,
characterized in that the inlet (22a) for the inlet pressure gas is variable in its cross section. Device according to claim 8,
characterized in that the throttle (50) has a in the vortex chamber (30) projecting cone (51). Device according to claim 2,
characterized in that in the input pressure line (22) to the inlet (22a) in the vortex chamber (33) a valve (25, 60, 70) is arranged. Device according to claim 11,
characterized in that through the valve (25, 60, 70) the inlet for the inlet pressure gas into the vortex chamber (33) is opened before the pneumatic regulator (15) requests control gas. Device according to claim 11 or 12,
characterized in that in the conduit (22) to the inlet (22a) in the vortex chamber (33) a shut-off valve (25) is arranged. Device according to claim 11 or 12,
characterized in that a pneumatic control valve (60) is provided in the conduit (22) to the inlet (22a) in the vortex chamber (33). Device according to claim 14,
characterized in that the target pressure for opening the control valve (60) is higher than the target pressure of the pneumatic regulator (15). Device according to claim 11 or 12,
characterized in that in the conduit (22) to the inlet (22a) in the swirl chamber (33) is provided a switching valve (70). Device according to claim 16,
characterized in that the switching valve (70) is designed so that it is opened by the control pressure before the pneumatic regulator (15) takes the gas pressure regulator into operation. Device according to claim 2,
characterized in that from the regulator (15) through a discharge line (42) the control gas is introduced into the main line (20) behind the actuator (40), wherein the measurement of the outlet pressure behind the actuator (40) at a measuring point (27) the outflow line (42) in the main line (20) takes place in order to enter at the measuring point (27) no malfunctioning icing. Device according to claim 2,
characterized in that the Kaltgasabströmleitung (27) is surrounded by the Warmgasabströmleitung (35) to prevent icing of the Kaltgasabströmleitung. Device according to claim 2,
characterized in that the cold gas outlet (27a) is variable in its cross section. Device according to claim 2,
characterized in that the heat exchanger (34) is arranged concentrically around the vortex tube (30). Device according to claim 2,
characterized in that the housing (11) comprises a housing head (11a) and a housing sump (11b), wherein the housing head (11a) from the housing sump (11b) is thermally separated (arrow 11c). Device according to claim 22,
characterized in that the housing sump (11b) has an axially extending second gap space (12) which is connected on the one hand to the outlet (35a) for the hot gas, the gap space (12) on the other hand in the housing sump (11b) below the head ( 11a) is connected by a line (35b) with the Kaltgasabströmleitung (27). Device according to claim 23,
characterized in that the gap space (12) extends over part of the lateral surface of the housing sump (11b). Device according to claim 11,
characterized in that the gas flow supplied to the switching valve (70) through the conduit (21) in the housing (11) of the vortex chamber (30) is heated.

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