WO2024062465A1 - Compresseur isotherme et buse de condenseur - Google Patents

Compresseur isotherme et buse de condenseur Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024062465A1
WO2024062465A1 PCT/IL2023/050809 IL2023050809W WO2024062465A1 WO 2024062465 A1 WO2024062465 A1 WO 2024062465A1 IL 2023050809 W IL2023050809 W IL 2023050809W WO 2024062465 A1 WO2024062465 A1 WO 2024062465A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fluid
nozzle
pressure
htl
mixture
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IL2023/050809
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Carmel Rotschild
Joseph CASSELL
Yuval NEUMANN
Original Assignee
Technion Research & Development Foundation Limited
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Filing date
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Application filed by Technion Research & Development Foundation Limited filed Critical Technion Research & Development Foundation Limited
Publication of WO2024062465A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024062465A1/fr

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04F—PUMPING OF FLUID BY DIRECT CONTACT OF ANOTHER FLUID OR BY USING INERTIA OF FLUID TO BE PUMPED; SIPHONS
    • F04F5/00—Jet pumps, i.e. devices in which flow is induced by pressure drop caused by velocity of another fluid flow
    • F04F5/44—Component parts, details, or accessories not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F04F5/02 - F04F5/42
    • F04F5/46—Arrangements of nozzles
    • F04F5/463—Arrangements of nozzles with provisions for mixing
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04F—PUMPING OF FLUID BY DIRECT CONTACT OF ANOTHER FLUID OR BY USING INERTIA OF FLUID TO BE PUMPED; SIPHONS
    • F04F5/00—Jet pumps, i.e. devices in which flow is induced by pressure drop caused by velocity of another fluid flow
    • F04F5/02—Jet pumps, i.e. devices in which flow is induced by pressure drop caused by velocity of another fluid flow the inducing fluid being liquid
    • F04F5/04—Jet pumps, i.e. devices in which flow is induced by pressure drop caused by velocity of another fluid flow the inducing fluid being liquid displacing elastic fluids
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04F—PUMPING OF FLUID BY DIRECT CONTACT OF ANOTHER FLUID OR BY USING INERTIA OF FLUID TO BE PUMPED; SIPHONS
    • F04F5/00—Jet pumps, i.e. devices in which flow is induced by pressure drop caused by velocity of another fluid flow
    • F04F5/44—Component parts, details, or accessories not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F04F5/02 - F04F5/42
    • F04F5/46—Arrangements of nozzles
    • F04F5/465—Arrangements of nozzles with supersonic flow
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04F—PUMPING OF FLUID BY DIRECT CONTACT OF ANOTHER FLUID OR BY USING INERTIA OF FLUID TO BE PUMPED; SIPHONS
    • F04F5/00—Jet pumps, i.e. devices in which flow is induced by pressure drop caused by velocity of another fluid flow
    • F04F5/44—Component parts, details, or accessories not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F04F5/02 - F04F5/42
    • F04F5/46—Arrangements of nozzles
    • F04F5/467—Arrangements of nozzles with a plurality of nozzles arranged in series

Definitions

  • the present disclosure is generally in the field of pressurization devices, and more specifically relates to a nozzle for pressurization of compressible fluids.
  • a conventional compressing element for a two-phase media flow may, for example be a Venturi nozzle which is a type of a converging-diverging passive compression device with no moving parts.
  • a self-entrainment venturi nozzle has the same operating principle as a regular venturi nozzle but is also equipped with one or more gas inlets.
  • a self-entrainment venturi nozzle features a convergent inlet section, a divergent outlet section and possibly a constricted throat therebetween.
  • Venturi nozzles use a fast-moving heat transfer liquid (HTL) stream to entrain a nearly quiescent suction compressible fluid (e.g., gas).
  • HTL fast-moving heat transfer liquid
  • the motive stream is accelerated by flowing through the converging section while the pressure of the motive stream is reduced at the end of the converging section beyond ambient pressure, with the highest velocity achieved at the throat of the nozzle.
  • the high velocity of the HTL creates a region of low static pressure and therefore a pressure difference between the HTL at the throat of the nozzle and the suction fluid.
  • the pressure difference draws the suction fluid flow into the nozzle through the gas inlets(s), where the suction and motive streams mix to form a two-phase media, typically in the constricted throat section.
  • a following diverging section may increase the pressure of the gas/liquid mixture. Due to the high volumetric heat capacity of the liquid the increase in pressure is isothermal or quasi-isothermal.
  • the flow velocity of the two-phase media can easily reach supersonic velocity at high gas/liquid mixture flow rates. This may induce shock waves, which may reduce suction efficiency, output pressure, and total efficiency.
  • the device and compression technique described herein may provide a very useful tool for increasing efficiency of fluid pressurization and other thermodynamic processes in energy conversion system and particularly, but not exclusively, in heat engines (e.g., reaction turbines) and possibly for reducing size thereof.
  • the flow velocity of the two-phase media can reach supersonic velocity at high air flow rates. This may induce shock waves, which may reduce suction efficiency, output pressure, and total efficiency.
  • the present disclosure provides a novel configuration of a fluid pressurization nozzle which is relatively simple in its mechanical design for attaining an isothermal or quasi-isothermal pressurization process of fluid, e.g., isothermal or quasi-isothermal compression of gas.
  • the fluid pressurization nozzle of the present disclosure utilizes the general principles of an expanding-contracting nozzle (e.g., Venturi nozzle), which is modified for eliminating or significantly attenuating generation of shock waves in the nozzle to thereby facilitate efficient compression of the gas.
  • a quasi-isothermal compression should be understood as one that the suction fluid that is pressurized maintains its temperature along the pressurization process, i.e. along the nozzle, at a range of no more than 110%,, 140%, or no more than 160% from its initial temperature in the process.
  • the fluid pressurization nozzle of the present disclosure has a profile defining a varying cross-section along a length thereof.
  • the fluid pressurization nozzle is configured for affecting / manipulating characteristics / properties of fluid(s) propagating therealong.
  • properties can include, inter alia, pressure, Mach number, velocity, and temperature.
  • the fluid compression nozzle of the present disclosure is configured to pressurize suction fluid (e.g., gas) introduced thereinto, with the aid of a heat transfer liquid (HTL) propagating / flowing therealong.
  • the introduced suction fluid is mixed with the HTL to form a liquid/gas mixture in which the gas is pressurized.
  • the suction fluid is gas (such as air, Nitrogen Hydrogen, organic vapors, steam or any other gas).
  • the suction fluid is vapor (such as steam or organic vapor)
  • the gas is heated as a result of the compression process.
  • the HTL absorbs the thermal energy from the gas during the compression, thereby maintaining the gas at about the same temperature as the HTL during the compression.
  • the HTL temperature merely slightly increases due to its relatively high heat capacity with respect to the gas, which may be about 1000-fold higher than the gas. This results in isothermal or quasi -isothermal compression of gas.
  • the HTL enters the nozzle at an input pressure which may be higher than ambient and exits the nozzle at a lower pressure than the input pressure, yet higher than the ambient pressure, optionally, the exit pressure is reduced by up to 30%.
  • the gas may be introduced at the ambient pressure.
  • the vapor temperature is below phase-transition temperature and upon mixing with liquid the gas may change phase and be liquified to form a pressurized liquid/HTL mixture such that at least one of the liquids in the mixture is pressurized.
  • the HTL is the vapor material in a liquid phase, and the mixture followed by condensation results in a single pressurized liquid.
  • the fluid pressurization nozzle can be formed with a plurality of sections fluidly coupled to each other and defining a flow path for the fluid.
  • the gas compression nozzle includes an inlet section (also referred to as “first fluid manipulation section”), a mixing section (also referred to as “second fluid manipulation section”), an intermediate section (also referred to as “third fluid manipulation section”), and an outlet section (also referred to as “fourth fluid manipulation section”).
  • the inlet section is adapted for receiving a HTL stream, possibly at or above ambient pressure and at a subsonic velocity.
  • the inlet section is shaped to initially depressurize the streamed HTL below ambient pressure and to accelerate it.
  • the mixing section is configured for introducing compressible suction fluid (gas or vapor) thereinto, and mix it with the depressurized HTL, which is maintained at substantially constant pressure, to thereby form an HTL/ fluid mixture.
  • the suction fluid is gas or vapor being mixed with the HTL stream to form a two-phase bubbly media.
  • the introduction of the gas or vapor is enabled due to the pressure difference between the HTL, in the mixing section, being at pressure lower than pressure of the suction fluid.
  • the bubbly media reduces the speed of sound below the velocity of the two-phase mixture.
  • the mixing section is shaped so as to cause flow velocity of the fluid mixture to become supersonic.
  • the intermediate section is shaped to cause the fluid mixture to decelerate to sonic or subsonic velocity while increasing its pressure.
  • the outlet section is shaped as to pressurize the fluid mixture (received from the mixing section) above ambient pressure , and the flow in this section is subsonic. Due to the high heat capacity of the HTL, the mixture maintains a quasi-isothermal compression. In some cases, due to an increase in pressure, the gaseous phase (e.g., vapor) in the fluid mixture is condensed to liquid. Accordingly, the outlet section is configured for discharge of the fluid mixture including pressurized suction fluid which may be compressed gas or pressurized liquid (in case of condensation of the gas).
  • pressurized suction fluid which may be compressed gas or pressurized liquid (in case of condensation of the gas).
  • the present disclosure further provides a fluid pressurization system which can incorporate the fluid compression nozzle.
  • the fluid compression system is configured to perform pressurization of a suction fluid by iteratively utilizing (recycling) HTL.
  • the HTL and suction fluid are mixed in the fluid pressurization nozzle and the fluid mixture including pressurized suction fluid (compressed gas) is discharged therefrom.
  • the pressurized suction fluid or a portion thereof can then be separated from the mixture and released / discharged out of the system to a designated pressurized fluid reservoir or for other applications while the HTL continues to circulate in the system for further one or more fluid compression process(es).
  • the gas compression system defines at least one closed loop / circular flow path of the HTL.
  • the fluid pressurization system includes a pumping unit which pressurizes the HTL and streams the pressurized HTL into the compression nozzle being disposed on the closed-loop flow path.
  • the suction fluid can be introduced into the nozzle via one or more gas inlets located on a peripheral envelope / side wall of the nozzle or through a designated pipe / conduit.
  • the fluid mixture gasliquid bubbly mixture
  • the fluid mixture is ejected / discharged from the nozzle such that the suction fluid is pressurized, or compressed if the suction fluid is gas, and cooled by the HTL while the HTL can be, in turn, slightly heated due to its much higher heat capacity.
  • the fluid pressurization system is pressure-isolated, from the ambient.
  • the pressurized suction fluid can be separated from the ejected fluid mixture at a separation region / zone of the fluid pressurization system and discharged out of the system while the heated HTL continues to flow in the closed loop-path such that the heated HTL is pressurized by the pump unit and streamed into to the nozzle thereafter.
  • the HTL is discharged from the nozzle at a lower pressure than the input pressure, typically at a relatively low pressure-difference of up to 30%. This way, a relatively low amount of energy can be used by the pump unit to pressurize the gas..
  • the work produced by the quasi-isothermal compression plus the head losses in the nozzle reduces the outlet end stagnation pressure compared to the inlet starting stagnation pressure.
  • the temperature of the HTL is increased (typically, by one or few degrees).
  • the heated HTL can be used for generating energy such as high- temperature isothermal expansion of the gas in a turbine.
  • the hot HTL can be replaced with a new cooled HTL for continuous operation of the gas compression system.
  • the HTL is cooled while circulating in the isothermal compressor.
  • a nozzle for pressurizing fluid including a nozzle inlet for receiving HTL stream into the nozzle, an outlet, a suction fluid inlet and an arrangement of fluid manipulation sections (consecutively) arranged in fluid communication in a cascaded fashion defining a flow path of the fluid; wherein the arrangement includes a first fluid manipulation section downstream to the nozzle inlet or that a proximal end thereof constitutes the nozzle inlet and having a narrowing or converging configuration in a direction of the flow path for reducing pressure of the HTL streamed thereinto below ambient pressure and for accelerating flow of the HTL stream.
  • Narrowing or converging configuration is to be understood as a structure that having a cross section area that reduces in the direction of the flow path; a second fluid manipulation section, configured as a fluid mixer, having an expanding configuration in the direction of the flow path.
  • Expanding configuration is to be understood as a structure that having a cross section area that increases in the direction of the flow path.
  • the suction fluid inlet is configured for allowing suction fluid communication between the ambient or a suction fluid source to be compressed and the second fluid manipulation section to allow introduction of suction fluid thereinto to be mixed with the HTL to thereby obtain HTL/gas mixture
  • the expanding configuration of the second fluid manipulation section is designed for bringing the additional gas volume into the nozzle at about constant pressure.
  • a third fluid manipulation section of the nozzle is having a narrowing configuration in the direction of the flow path for decelerating the supersonic flow of fluid mixture received from the second fluid manipulation section to sonic or subsonic velocity, and for increasing pressure of the two-phase mixture flowing along the third fluid manipulation section; a fourth fluid manipulation section having an expanding configuration in the direction of the flow path and configured for increasing pressure of subsonic fluid mixture flow received from the third fluid manipulation section to a pressure above ambient pressure; wherein the outlet is downstream the fourth fluid manipulation section or is constituted by a distal end thereof and is for discharging the fluid mixture received from the fourth fluid manipulation section, wherein the fluid mixture discharged from the outlet includes pressurized suction fluid.
  • the HTL can include at least one of water, molten salt, thermal oil, ethylene glycol, molten metal, hydro-carbonate liquids, anti-freezing liquids, liquified gases, organic phase changing liquids, pentane, Propane, or any combination thereof.
  • the suction fluid is gas.
  • the gas may include at least one of air, argon, CO2, hydrogen, natural gas, nitrogen, organic vapors, steam or any combination thereof.
  • the fluid mixture is a two-phase mixture and wherein the pressurized suction fluid being discharged from the outlet of the nozzle includes compressed gas.
  • the suction fluid is vapor, which is condensed along the quasi-isothermal compression, and the fluid mixture being discharged from outlet is a liquid mixture and wherein the pressurized suction fluid being discharged from the outlet of the nozzle includes pressurized liquid.
  • the suction fluid may be suctioned into the nozzle while in a vapor phase, and during the flow in the nozzle the suction fluid changes its phase into liquid and is discharged from the nozzle as liquid.
  • At least one of the fluid manipulation sections has frustoconical longitudinal cross-sectional geometry.
  • the nozzle includes at least one conduit extending from an exterior thereof into the second fluid manipulation section and configured for channeling the suction fluid into the mixing unit for allowing mixing of the suction fluid with the HTL flowing therealong.
  • the at least one conduit is connectable to an external suction fluid source.
  • the third fluid manipulation section is configured to decelerate the fluid mixture flowing therealong such that it reaches the sonic or subsonic velocity at an extremity, or a distal end of the third sections.
  • the discharged fluid mixture includes a fluid having a discharge pressure value being lower than an initial pressure value of the HTL streamed into the first fluid manipulation section by up to 1 Bar, or up to 2 Bar, or up to 0.5 Bar, or up to 0.3 Bar or up to 0.1 Bar.
  • the initial pressure value is greater from the discharge pressure value by up to 30%.
  • the suction fluid streamed into the first fluid manipulation section has a subsonic velocity.
  • the nozzle inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with a HTL source for receiving the HTL in a pressure greater than ambient pressure.
  • an isothermal or quasi-isothermal fluid pressurization system including at least one nozzle according to any one of the above-described embodiments of the nozzle, or any combination thereof, for receiving pressurized HTL pressurized above ambient pressure through its nozzle inlet; a fluid outlet; and a separation zone configured to receive the fluid mixture discharged from the at least one nozzle and separate HTL and the pressurized suction fluid wherein the pressurized suction fluid is directed to the fluid outlet to be discharged therethrough to fill up a tank with pressurized fluid or to direct it to a pressurized fluid consumer.
  • the fluid mixture discharged from the at least one nozzle is a two-phase mixture includes compressed gas.
  • the fluid mixture discharged from the at least one nozzle is a liquid mixture includes pressurized liquid.
  • the separation zone is configured to receive the fluid mixture discharged from the at least one nozzle and separate the HTL and the pressurized suction fluid, wherein the separated pressurized suction fluid is directed to the fluid outlet to be discharged therethrough.
  • the pressurized suction fluid is discharged from the fluid outlet at the same flow rate of non-pressurized fluid being introduced to the nozzle.
  • the fluid pressurization system includes a pump unit for increasing pressure of fluid received from the separation zone to thereby obtain the pressurized HTL and for streaming the pressurized HTL into the nozzle.
  • the pump unit is configured to receive the fluid at a first pressure and increase its pressure to a second pressure, greater than the first pressure.
  • the pump unit is configured to receive the fluid from the separation zone.
  • the second pressure is greater than the first pressure by up to 1 Bar, or up to 2 Bar, or up to 0.5 Bar, or up to 0.3 Bar or up to 0.1 Bar.
  • the inlet pressure is optionally higher than the outlet pressure by less than 30%.
  • the second pressure greater than the first pressure by up to 30%.
  • the pump unit includes a vertical centrifugal pump.
  • the vertical centrifugal pump has a bottom fluid inlet configured for enabling flow of a liquid therethrough, wherein the liquid inlet is in fluid communication with a liquid drain of the separation zone storing separated liquid.
  • the vertical centrifugal pump has at least one arm for supporting fluid flow therealong and fluidly coupled to the at least one nozzle.
  • the vertical centrifugal pump is rotatable about its vertical axis to thereby enable suction of HTL through the bottom fluid inlet.
  • the HTL flows in the system in a fluid flow path, wherein the fluid flow path includes at least one closed-loop flow path, namely the separated liquid in the separation zone is pumped back into the nozzle, and wherein the pump unit is configured to receive and pressurize the fluid from the separation zone to thereby obtain the pressurized HTL and stream it into the at least one nozzle.
  • the closed-loop flow path is pressure-isolated from the environment, namely the pressure in the pump, the nozzle and the separation zone is isolated from the ambient pressure.
  • the suction fluid is separated by gravitation from the two- phase mixture in the separation zone.
  • the separation zone includes a curved or circular frame onto which the two-phase mixture is ejected from the nozzle, the engagement of the mixture with the curved or circular frame results in a film flow on a surface of the curved or circular frame to thereby separate the gas from the liquid.
  • the fluid outlet includes a pressure regulating valve configured to controllably stream the compressed fluid through the fluid outlet upon either (i) a positive pressure difference between the compressed fluid and a fluid tank fluidly coupled to the fluid outlet or (ii) exceeding a pressure threshold of the compressed fluid.
  • the fluid pressurization system includes a heat exchanger configured for receiving a portion of the HTL from the separation zone, namely, the HTL that is separated from the suction fluid, for transferring excess heat that occurred due to the compression and from friction from the flow of the liquid in the system, to an external heat consumer or absorber, wherein following the passing of the HTL through the heat exchanger it returns into the separation zone.
  • the fluid pressurization system includes a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the liquid in the separation zone and generating data indicative of the temperature of the liquid; a liquid valve configured to controllably release liquid towards the heat exchanger; and a controller configured for (i) receiving the temperature data and (ii) controllably open the liquid valve when the temperature is above a selected threshold.
  • a method for pressurizing fluid including the following sequential steps: (i) increasing pressure of a HTL from a first pressure to a second pressure; (ii) reducing the pressure of the HTL from the second pressure below ambient pressure while accelerating it; (iii) allowing suction fluid at the ambient pressure, the suction fluid can be from the ambient or from a closed system that is at about the ambient pressure, to flow into the liquid while maintaining the suction fluid at about the second pressure to thereby obtain a fluid mixture at about the second pressure and in a supersonic velocity (the velocity of sound of the mixture is reduced during the mixing of the gas with the liquid below the velocity of the mixture); (iv) narrowing a flow path of the mixture to increase its pressure and reduce its velocity below a supersonic velocity; (v) expanding the flow path of the mixture to increase its pressure to a third pressure greater than the initial suction fluid pressure while further reducing its velocity; (vi) separating the pressurized suction fluid from the fluid mixture and
  • step (ii) includes gradually narrowing the flow path of the HTL.
  • step (iii) includes gradually expanding the flow path of the fluid mixture.
  • the mixing the HTL stream with the suction fluid includes introducing the suction fluid from an external fluid source.
  • the separating includes gravitational separation.
  • the separating includes directing the ejected mixture onto a curved surface.
  • step (i) includes pumping the liquid and streaming it towards a gradually narrowing flow path to carry out step (ii).
  • the method further includes separating suction fluid from the two-phase mixture
  • Figs. 1A-1B are schematic illustration of non-limiting examples of the nozzle for pressurizing fluid according to an aspect of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 2A and 2B schematically illustrate fluid pressurization system according to some possible embodiments of the present disclosure, wherein Fig. 2A shows fluid pressurization system comprising a closed-loop cavity, and Fig. 2B shows, fluid pressurization system comprising a vertical centrifugal pump;
  • Fig- 3 shows an experimental setup of the nozzle.
  • FIG. 1A shows a nozzle 10 configured according to the principles of the present disclosure for isothermal or quasi-isothermal pressurization of fluid.
  • the nozzle 10 is formed by an arrangement 12 of fluid manipulation sections.
  • the gas compression nozzle 10 includes a first, a second, a third, and a fourth fluid manipulation sections 12f, 12s, 12t, and 12r, respectively. As shown in Fig.
  • the nozzle 10 has a body 13 defining a circumferential wall of the nozzle 10 such that the fluid manipulation sections 12f, 12s, 12t, and 12r form an integrated structure in which the fluid manipulation sections 12f, 12s, 12t, and 12r are fluidly connected / coupled to each other.
  • the fluid manipulation sections are arranged in a cascaded fashion along a common longitudinal axis O such that the sections are in fluid communication with each other and defining a flow path of fluid propagating / flowing along the nozzle 10.
  • the nozzle 10 is provided with a nozzle inlet 14i and a nozzle outlet 14u such that flow path is in a direction L therebetween.
  • the nozzle inlet 14i can generally be arranged upstream to the first manipulation sections 12f or can be constituted by a proximal extremity / end thereof and adapted for receiving a liquid stream into the nozzle 10.
  • the nozzle inlet 14i is in fluid communication with a motive / working fluid source (not shown) including liquid pressurized above ambient pressure.
  • the nozzle inlet 14i is adapted for receiving the pressurized HTL from the pump (not shown).
  • the HTL may include, inter alia, water, molten salt, thermal oil, ethylene glycol, molten metal, hydro-carbonate liquids, anti-freezing liquids, liquified gases, or any combination thereof.
  • the nozzle outlet 14u can generally be arranged downstream to the fourth manipulation sections 12f or can be constituted by a distal extremity / end thereof.
  • the nozzle outlet 14u is configured for discharging pressurized fluid from the gas compression nozzle 10.
  • the first fluid manipulation section 12f has a narrowing /converging configuration in the direction L of the flow path.
  • the first fluid manipulation section 12f is configured to reduce pressure of the HTL streamed thereinto below ambient pressure and for accelerating flow of the HTL stream.
  • the HTL may be steamed to the first fluid manipulation section 12f at an initial pressure Pi which can be greater than ambient pressure and initial velocity v l which can be subsonic (Mach number AL ⁇ 1).
  • the HTL, as it propagates/flows in the first fluid manipulation section 12f is depressurized to a pressure Pf (Pf ⁇ Pi) while the velocity increases.
  • the second fluid manipulation section 12s is arranged downstream to the first fluid manipulation section 12f for receiving HTL therefrom.
  • the second fluid manipulation section 12s is configured to operate as a fluid mixer for allowing introduction / entrainment of suction fluid thereinto to be mixed with the HTL, received from the first fluid manipulation section 12f, to thereby obtain a fluid mixture.
  • the pressure in section 12s is lower than the pressure of the incoming suction fluid, thereby inducing suction of the suction fluid.
  • the suction fluid is gaseous material being sucked / entrained into the nozzle due to pressure difference between the HTL (being at a pressure below ambient) in the second fluid manipulation section 12s and the gas (being at pressure at or above ambient).
  • the HTL e.g., HTL
  • the speed of sound reduces and the mixture flow becomes supersonic.
  • the second fluid manipulation section 12s can be provided with one or more suction fluid inlets 16i (e.g., perforations and/or apertures) configured for enabling entertainment / suction of suction fluid therethrough into the fluid manipulation section 12s to be mixed with the liquid.
  • the nozzle 10 can be associated with a pipe / conduit 16p extending from an exterior thereof into the second fluid manipulation section 12s.
  • the conduit 16p is configured for channeling the suction fluid into the mixing unit for allowing mixing thereof with HTL flowing therealong.
  • the one or more gas inlets 16i and/or the conduit 16p are further configured for enabling fluid communication between the second fluid manipulation section 12s and a suction fluid source (not shown) and or ambient environment.
  • the second fluid manipulation section 12s has an expanding / diverging configuration in the direction L of the flow path to facilitate injection of the suction fluid, while maintaining the stream at about constant pressure.
  • the bubbly media causes the drop of speed of sound in the two-phase mixture below the flow velocity of the mixture thereby causing the two-phase mixture to flow in supersonic velocity (Mach number /W l ).
  • the third fluid manipulation section 12t is arranged downstream to the second fluid manipulation section 12s for receiving the fluid mixture therefrom.
  • the fourth fluid manipulation 12r section is arranged downstream to the third fluid manipulation section 12t for receiving the fluid mixture therefrom at a subsonic velocity, and in this non-limiting example is terminated by the nozzle outlet 14u.
  • the fourth fluid manipulation 12r has an expanding configuration in the direction L of the flow path. As such, the fourth fluid manipulation 12r is configured for increasing pressure of the fluid mixture, received from the third fluid manipulation section 12t, to a pressure above ambient pressure. The fluid mixture is being discharged through the nozzle outlet 14u such that the fluid mixture includes pressurized suction fluid.
  • the fluid mixture can be a two-phase mixture of HTL and gas or HTL and vapor.
  • the HTL acts as a cooling medium being in a thermal coupling with gas to absorb the heat/thermal energy generated as a result of the compression process resulting in cooling of the gas while the HTL is merely slightly heated to thereby attain the isothermal or quasi-isothermal compression of the gas.
  • the two-phase mixture includes compressed gas and heated liquid (HTL) and can be discharged via the nozzle outlet 14u.
  • the vapor is condensed to liquid due to increase in pressure resulting in a liquid mixture being discharged from the nozzle outlet 14u such that the liquid mixture includes pressurized liquid.
  • the discharged fluid mixture includes HTL having a discharge pressure Pdis being lower than an initial pressure Pi (Pdis ⁇ Pi) of the HTL streamed into the first fluid manipulation section 12f by up to 0.1 Bar - 5 Bar or by up to 30%.
  • the outlet of the nozzle is flow-connected to the inlet of the nozzle, through a mixture separation section and a circulating pump.
  • narrowing and converging are used herein to denote a decreasing cross-section (transverse to the direction L) of the fluid flow in the direction thereof, and the terms “expanding” and “diverging” are used herein to denote an increasing crosssection of the fluid flow in the direction thereof.
  • Fig. IB shows a two-phase "reverse de Laval” nozzle in configuration such that it increases the pressure of a gas, compressing it isothermally by mixing it with the HTL. It is to be noted that the figure is not to scale.
  • HTL such as water, low freezing point liquids, Hydrocarbonate liquid, and/or other flow in the nozzle, enters the inlet at a higher pressure than ambient, and exit at the outlet at a higher pressure than ambient.
  • Gas such as air, Hydrogen, or any other, is sucked into the HTL, compressed, and cooled by the HTL, and emerges at the outlet at a higher pressure than ambient pressure.
  • HTL water as HTL and air as gas
  • the HTL can be selected from any suitable HTL and the gas may be any suitable gas to be compressed.
  • the HTL initial pressure and velocity are generated by a pump.
  • the initial and final pressure values of the HTL are identical within a range of 10%.
  • the initial and final pressure of the HTL is identical within a range of 20%, or 30%.
  • the operation temperature of the HTL is as low as possible.
  • the operation temperature is less the -10 °C, -25 °C, -50 °C.
  • the HTL temperature is below - 195 °C when the HTL is liquid Nitrogen or below 4.2K when the HTL is liquid Helium.
  • such a compressor can be used in a cascaded why to reach higher pressure.
  • a second closed loop compressor for a second stage of pressure.
  • first degree compress air to 15 bars, using water as HTL and a supersonic nozzle.
  • This compressed air flows into the second supersonic nozzle of a second compressor closed loop, which maintains at the 30 bars.
  • the pressure drops below 15 bars allowing the air to enter the nozzle.
  • the nozzle may include the following sections in order:
  • the gas compressing system 200 is configured and operable for compressing gas by iteratively utilizing (recycling) HTL such as HTL flowing/propagating in a fluid flow path including at least one closed-loop flow path as will be described further below.
  • HTL such as HTL flowing/propagating in a fluid flow path including at least one closed-loop flow path as will be described further below.
  • Fig. 2A shows a closed loop flow of heat transfer liquid (HTL) such as water, anti-freezing liquid, thermal oil, or any other liquid, is driven by a pump 208, at a pressure above ambient to form a gas pressurization system 200.
  • the pump has both high pressure at its inlet and higher pressure at its outlet. The pump operation is to generate the flow and compensate for the pressure loss due to the compression work and the head losses.
  • the gas pressurization system 200 includes at least one nozzle 10 configured as described in Figs. 1A-1B for receiving pressurized HTL at pressure above ambient through its nozzle inlet 14i.
  • the system 200 is provided with a separation zone/region 204 fluidly coupled downstream the nozzle outlet 14u such that the nozzle 10 and the separation zone/region 204 define a closed-loop liquid flow path LI.
  • the at least one nozzle 10 provides a fluid mixture including pressurized suction fluid (compressed gas or pressurized liquid) and HTL.
  • the pressure of the mixture, and therefore the HTL, at the outlet of the nozzle 10 is only slightly reduced with respect to the pressure of the HTL at the inlet of the nozzle 10, e.g. by up to 1%, 2% or 10%.
  • separation zone/region 204 forms a pressure-isolated environment in the system. This way, the pressurized suction fluid being discharged from the nozzle 10 is maintained pressurized when propagating in the separation zone/region 204.
  • Suction fluid (preferably gas) to be compressed can be streamed to the nozzle 10 via at least one suction fluid supply means, such as the one or more fluid inlets 16i, formed of perforations, holes, air inlet, or voids, and/or the pipe / conduit 16p extending from an exterior of the system 200 into the second fluid manipulation section 12s.
  • the suction fluid supply means are in fluid communication with the nozzle 10 and configured for streaming the suction fluid to the second fluid manipulation section 12s of the nozzle 10, in which the pressure of the HTL is reduced below the pressure of the suction fluid, e.g. gas, to be compressed, for allowing mixing of the suction fluid with the HTL flowing therealong.
  • the system 200 may be associated with a one or more gas sources (not shown) fluidly coupled to the one or more fluid inlets 16i and/or the pipe / conduit 16p.
  • the separation zone/region 204 configured to receive the fluid mixture including pressurized suction fluid, being discharged from the at least one nozzle 10, and to separate the pressurized suction fluid from the fluid mixture (i.e., separation of the pressurized suction fluid and the HTL).
  • the pressurized suction fluid can be compressed gas or pressurized liquid.
  • the suction fluid may be suctioned in gas phase and change its phase during the flow in the nozzle, in particular at the fourth manipulation section, or can be suctioned in a liquid phase and maintains its phase during the flow in the nozzle.
  • the pressurized suction fluid is directed to a gas outlet 206 to be discharged therethrough.
  • the gas outlet 206 is equipped with a pressure regulating valve 206v which may be selectively/controllably operable to stream the pressurized suction fluid through the gas outlet 206 upon a positive pressure difference between the pressurized suction fluid and a suction fluid tank 210 fluidly coupled to the gas outlet or upon exceeding a pressure threshold of the pressurized suction fluid.
  • a pressure regulating valve 206v which may be selectively/controllably operable to stream the pressurized suction fluid through the gas outlet 206 upon a positive pressure difference between the pressurized suction fluid and a suction fluid tank 210 fluidly coupled to the gas outlet or upon exceeding a pressure threshold of the pressurized suction fluid.
  • the HTL is the liquid form of the vapor suction fluid.
  • the HTL maintains as a liquid at the low-pressure mixing section due to the high velocity and short duration in the mixing section.
  • the vapors are optionally condensed and a single-phase flow emerges from the outlet. This optionally eliminates the need for a separator section.
  • An exit pipe extracts the compressed fluid from the compressor at approximately the same mass rate as the suction mass rate.
  • the system 200 may include or be associated with a heat exchanger 212 in fluid communication with the separation zone/region 204.
  • the heat exchanger 212 is configured for receiving a portion of the HTL, separated from the pressurized suction fluid, from the separation zone for transferring excess heat (that may have occurred due to the friction from the flow of the liquid in the system) to an external heat absorber or consumer (not shown).
  • the system 200 may be equipped with a temperature sensor (not shown) accommodated in the separation zone/region 204 and configured for generating data indicative of the temperature of the portion of the HTL received in the separation zone/region 204.
  • the data may be communicated to a controller (not shown) which is configured to process this data and use it to operate a valve 204v, i.e., controllably open/close the valve, when the temperature of the HTL is above a selected threshold.
  • the valve 204v is configured to controllably release HTL from the separation zone/region 204 towards the heat exchanger 212. Upon cooling of the HTL, the HTL is directed into the separation zone to be returned to the system 200.
  • the heat exchange of the HTL with the environment is sufficient for removing the excess heat and therefore the heat exchanger is not required.
  • the pump unit 208 is configured for increasing pressure of the HTL received from the separation zone/region 204 to thereby obtain the pressurized HTL and for streaming the pressurized HTL into the gas nozzle 10 to undergo another cycle.
  • the pressurized HTL can continuously circulate/flow along the closed-loop liquid flow path LI and can be iteratively utilized for pressurization of suction fluid in the system 200.
  • the HTL may be heated due to gas compression / pressurization process in the nozzle 10.
  • the heated HTL may be replaced with cooled HTL while the heated HTL may be used for other purposes e.g., high-temperature isothermal expansion of the air in a turbine.
  • the pressurization system 200 operates by rotating a nozzle, while feeding it with HTL at the inlet, and gas into the mixing chamber through the rotating arm.
  • the centrifugal force drives the HTL flow.
  • the nozzle is similar to the nozzle described in Figures 1A and IB, and the gas is sucked into the rotating nozzle at their mixing chambers.
  • the nozzle comprises a narrow section, in which the pressure is reduced below ambient pressure, and the air is sucked into the nozzle at this narrow section and is mixed with the HTL.
  • the gas exiting the nozzle is compressed and cooled by the HTL.
  • the fluid pressurization system 200 includes a chamber 240 defining a pressure-isolated compartment providing a pressure-isolated environment thereinside.
  • the pumping unit is configured as a vertical centrifugal pump 220 for pumping fluid and for supporting fluid flow thereinside.
  • the vertical centrifugal pump is rotatable about its vertical axis X thereby enabling suction of liquid through the bottom fluid inlet, due to centrifugal forces.
  • the vertical centrifugal pump 220 is formed by a rotatable suction member 220p arranged substantially vertically with respect to the bottom surface of the chamber 240.
  • the rotatable suction member 220p has an intake port at its bottom suspended over the bottom surface of the chamber 240 and may be submerged in a fluid drain 260.
  • the vertical centrifugal pump 220 can be fluidly coupled to one or more gas compression nozzles configured as described in Figs. 1A-1B.
  • the vertical centrifugal pump 220 is fluidly coupled to a first and second nozzles 10a and 10b via a first and second arms 220a and 220b, respectively.
  • the first and second arms 220a and 220b are fluidly coupled to the rotatable suction member 220p and configured for supporting fluid flow therealong and for directing the fluid into the nozzles 10a and 10b, respectively.
  • the gas to be compressed is provided to the nozzles 10a and 10b via a channel 220g extending from the exterior of the gas pressurization system 200 passing along the first and second arms 220a and 220b into the second fluid manipulation section (12s in Fig. 1A) of each of the nozzles 10a and 10b.
  • the compressed gas is separated from the liquid by gravitation upon discharge of the two phase mixture form each of the nozzles 10a and 10b such that the liquid is drawn by gravitation to the liquid drain 260 at a bottom surface of the chamber 240 while the compressed gas propagates to the top section of the chamber 240 to be released through the one or more gas outlets located at the top portion of the chamber 240, one such gas outlet 206 is shown in Fig. 2B.
  • the system 200 defines a plurality of closed-loop flow paths for the HTL, two closed-loop flow paths are illustrated in this example, associated with the nozzles 10a and 10b
  • the heat exchanger 212 can be in fluid communication with the liquid drain 260 for receiving a portion of the liquid, separated from the compressed gas, and for transferring excess heat (that may have occurred due to the friction from the flow of the liquid in the system) to an external heat consumer (not shown).
  • the heat exchanger 212 is not required as the HTL exchange heat with the surrounding in a sufficient rate.
  • Another example is compressing and condensing an organic vapor such as pentane for Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC).
  • liquid pentane is the HTL and vapor pentane is compressed and condensed by the compressor/condenser. In this example the liquid pentane exits the compressor without the need for mixture separation zone.
  • An exemplary setup of the nozzle was built to test the efficiency of the efficiency of the compressor.
  • the efficiency is the ratio between the ideal isothermal compression and the invested power by the pump (excluding pump efficiency).
  • the inefficiency is a result of head losses in the nozzle.
  • the nozzle diameter is about 2 inches and the head losses are major.
  • the flowrate 500 m 3 /hr of water and 650 liter/sec of air, the head losses are expected to reduce dramatically and the expected isothermal efficiency to exceed P compression 90%.

Abstract

La présente divulgation concerne une nouvelle configuration d'une buse de mise sous pression de fluide qui est de conception mécanique relativement simple pour atteindre un processus de mise sous pression isotherme ou quasi isotherme de fluide, par exemple, une compression isotherme ou quasi isotherme de gaz. La buse de mise sous pression de fluide de la présente divulgation utilise les principes généraux d'une buse d'expansion-contraction (par exemple, une buse Venturi), qui est modifiée pour éliminer ou atténuer considérablement la génération d'ondes de choc dans la buse, ce qui facilite une compression efficace du gaz. La buse de mise sous pression de fluide de la présente divulgation présente un profil définissant une section transversale variable le long d'une longueur associée. En tant que telle, la buse de mise sous pression de fluide est configurée pour affecter/manipuler des caractéristiques/propriétés de fluide(s) se propageant le long de celle-ci. De telles propriétés peuvent comprendre, entre autres, la pression, le nombre de Mach, la vitesse et la température. Facultativement, et dans certains modes de réalisation de préférence, la buse de compression de fluide de la présente divulgation est configurée pour mettre sous pression un fluide d'aspiration (par exemple, un gaz) introduit dans celle-ci, à l'aide d'un liquide de transfert de chaleur (HTL) se propageant/s'écoulant le long de celle-ci. Le fluide d'aspiration introduit est mélangé avec le HTL pour former un mélange liquide/gaz dans lequel le gaz est mis sous pression.
PCT/IL2023/050809 2022-09-19 2023-08-03 Compresseur isotherme et buse de condenseur WO2024062465A1 (fr)

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2534983A1 (fr) * 1982-10-20 1984-04-27 Chacoux Claude Compresseur supersonique a jet
US20020119051A1 (en) * 2000-08-18 2002-08-29 Ocean Power Corporation High efficiency steam ejector for desalination applications
US20050061378A1 (en) * 2003-08-01 2005-03-24 Foret Todd L. Multi-stage eductor apparatus

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2534983A1 (fr) * 1982-10-20 1984-04-27 Chacoux Claude Compresseur supersonique a jet
US20020119051A1 (en) * 2000-08-18 2002-08-29 Ocean Power Corporation High efficiency steam ejector for desalination applications
US20050061378A1 (en) * 2003-08-01 2005-03-24 Foret Todd L. Multi-stage eductor apparatus

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