GAS COMPRESSOR

Abstract

A gas compressor, wherein the gas compressor can be used for compressing gas, vapor, or combinations thereof. The gas compressor includes a drive section, a lower section, and a rod connecting a drive cylinder with a piston. The gas compressor can be used in a system for compressing gas, vapor, or combinations thereof.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation in Part of co-pending International Application Serial No.: PCT/2013/042203 filed on May 22, 2013, entitled “GAS COMPRESSOR,” which claims priority to US Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/688,852 filed on May 22, 2012, entitled “Hydraulic Beam Gas Compressor.”These applications are incorporated in their entirety.

FIELD

The present embodiments generally relate to a gas compressor. The gas compressor can be driven hydraulically, electrically, mechanically with a rack and pinion system, mechanical with a crank arm, or the like.

BACKGROUND

A need exists for a gas compressor that compresses well head casing gas utilizing fluid from a hydraulic fluid system and/or hydraulic lift pumping unit or mechanically with a rack and pinion system, mechanically with a crank arm, a spindle drive gear assembly, or the like.

A need exists for a gas compressor that can capture methane and other gases from a variety of locations, such as offshore oil wells, stock tanks, oil tank batteries, dairy farms, waste dumps, or other locations that generate gasses needing to be compressed.

A need exists for a gas compressor that can be utilized as a low cost gathering system for multiple wells, sources of gas, emissions, vapors, and the like. A need exists for a gas compressor can evacuate gas from the casing of an oil and/or gas well and discharge it into a higher pressure flow or sales line utilizing the motor from an existing hydraulic fluid system, fluid from an existing hydraulic lift pumping unit system, a standalone hydraulic power unit, or the like.

The present embodiments meet these needs

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description will be better understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows:

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of gas compressor.

FIG. 2 depicts a schematic of the gas compressor.

FIG. 3 depicts the gas compressor configured to have a high pressure chamber and low pressure chamber.

FIG. 4 depicts a schematic of a system utilizing the gas compressor.

FIG. 5 depicts a schematic of a system having a hydraulic pumping unit driven by a hydraulic fluid system.

FIG. 6 depicts a schematic of a system having a hydraulic pumping unit driven by an independent motor.

The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the listed Figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Before explaining the present system in detail, it is to be understood that the system is not limited to the particular embodiments and that it can be practiced or carried out in various ways.

Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis of the claims and as a representative basis for teaching persons having ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention.

The embodiments generally relate to a gas compressor.

The gas compressor can be a BEAM GAS COMPRESSOR®, which is a registered trademark of Permian Production Equipment, Inc. and Charlie D. McCoy. The piston inside of the BEAM GAS COMPRESSOR® can be driven hydraulically, such as by a fluid drive system, driven mechanically, such as by a rack and pinion system or crank arm, a spindle drive gear assembly, or other similar driving mechanisms

The gas compressor can use a dual acting compressor to evacuate gas from the casing of an oil and/or gas well and can simultaneously discharge the gas to a flow line or sales system.

The gas compressor can be driven hydraulically, electrically, mechanically with a rack and pinion system, mechanically with a crank arm, a spindle drive gear assembly, or the like.

The gas compressor can be driven using a crank arm and a gear box. A variable frequency drive can be used in conjunction with the crank arm to control the strokes per minute or the drive can be a simple start stop. A control system can be implemented to control the actual frequency of the drive, or to start and stop the drive.

A rack and pinion system can be used to drive the gas compressor. The rack and pinion system can include a gear box including a reverse gear, which shifts at the end of the stroke. In other embodiments, a gear box with a shaft that extends through a housing can be used. The shaft can be operatively engaged with a first motor on one side of the gear box and a second motor on the other side of the housing. The motors can be cooperatively used in conjunction with one another, wherein one motor sends the piston up and the other sends the piston down.

In one or more embodiments, the gas compressor can be driven hydraulically. The hydraulic drive can transfer energy from a hydraulic fluid system into a means that the gas compressor can use to compress gas in a lower section. Accordingly, the hydraulic fluid system provides the means for moving the piston and rod assembly in the drive section. The hydraulic fluid system can be a commercially available hydraulic fluid system.

In embodiments, the gas compressor can make use of an existing hydraulic fluid system being used in conjunction with equipment in the same locality. In many situations, the hydraulic fluid system has excess capacity that is not being utilized.

In these applications, the gas compressor can use little to no energy in addition to that already supplied to the hydraulic fluid system. By making use of an existing hydraulic fluid system, the gas compressor can add significant value to a user system by generating saleable product discharged into a sales line or high pressure flow with little to no cost to the user.

Further, the larger compression chamber of the present invention can reduce the necessary cycles for the compression of gasses. This in turn allows for a significantly improved efficiency during the operation as well as a reduced energy requirement. The gas compressor disclosed herein can operate at less than 10 cycles per minute as opposed to the current art operating at 1500 cycles or more per minute.

The novel design and cooperative application of the gas compressor can result in significant economic benefits to a user with minimal cost or additional necessary equipment.

A hydraulic pumping unit can provide the means for moving fluid from the tubing of a natural gas or oil well. The hydraulic pumping unit can be any commercially available hydraulic pumping unit. The hydraulic pumping unit can be connected to use the energy in the fluid from the hydraulic fluid system or the prime mover of the hydraulic fluid system to actuate its own pump.

The gas compressor can be connected via hydraulic hoses to the drive section with the hydraulic fluid system being used.

The gas compressor can be used as a vapor extraction unit to remove vapor from a storage tank battery system or methane capture system in a land fill or similar systems. Almost anywhere vapor or gas is created it can be captured with this unit.

The gas compressor can be used in conjunction with a rod pumping unit to lower back pressure in the casing. The gas compressor can be used to drive natural gas to other gas operated equipment, like a rod pumping unit or electric generators.

The gas compressor can be made from materials that are capable of withstanding high temperatures. Accordingly, the gas compressor can be used in high temperature operations. The high temperatures can be due to high compression ratios because temperature is controlled by the ideal gas law.

Turning now to the Figures, FIG. 1 depicts a front view of a gas compressor. The gas compressor 100 can include a drive section 110 and a lower section 120.

The drive section 110 can have a drive cylinder 116 located within a drive chamber 117. A first drive port 112a and a second drive port 112b can be in fluid communication with the drive chamber 117, allowing fluid to be introduced or removed from the drive chamber 117.

The lower section 120 can include a piston 122 located within a compression chamber 121. The piston 122 can be connected with the drive cylinder 116 via a rod 119. A plurality of gas ports, such as a first gas port 126a and a second gas port 126b, can be in communication with the compression chamber 121 to provide gas to and remove gas from the compression chamber 121.

A sensor 124 can be operatively located on the gas compressor, such as on the drive cylinder 116, the rod 119, the piston 122, on or within the compression chamber 121, or other suitable locations. The sensor can be used to determine the location of the piston 122 relative to its stroke, as well as provide other desired data as based upon the application of the gas compressor.

FIG. 2 depicts a schematic of the gas compressor 100.

The lower section 120 can have an upper manifold 310a. The upper manifold can have the first gas port and the second gas port connected or formed therein. The upper manifold 310a can have an upper manifold opening 312 for fluidly communicating with the compression chamber. A first check valve 316a can be located in the manifold between the first gas port and the upper manifold opening 312. A second check valve 316b can be located between the second gas port and the upper manifold opening 312. The check valves can be used to allow flow in one direction between the gas ports and the upper manifold opening.

The lower section 120 can also include a lower manifold 310b. The lower manifold 310b can include a lower manifold opening 313. A third check valve 316c can be located between the lower manifold opening 313 and a third gas port in alternate embodiments, and a fourth check valve 316d can be located between the lower manifold opening 313 and a fourth gas port in alternate embodiments. The check valves can be used to allow flow in one direction between the gas ports and the lower manifold opening.

One or more temperature transmitters, such as temperature transmitter 317, and one or more pressure transmitters, such as pressure transmitters 319a and 319b, can be in communication with a control system and the gas compressor 100.

FIG. 3 depicts the gas compressor configured to have a high pressure chamber and low pressure chamber.

The gas compressor 100 can be configured where the lower section 120 can have a low pressure chamber 321 and a high pressure chamber 322. The check valves can be arranged to allow fluid flow into and out of the low pressure chamber 321 via gas ports 126a and 126b. The first gas port 126a can be in communication with the second gas port 126b.

FIG. 4 depicts a schematic of a system utilizing the gas compressor.

The first system 500 can include a skid 510 that holds the gas compressor 100, a pump and motor 540, control valves 550, a heat exchanger 560, a fluid storage tank 570, and a control panel 530. The control panel can in communication with the control valve 550. The control panel can also operate the pump.

The control valves 550 can be in fluid communication with the drive chamber 117 via a first fluid line 551a and a second fluid line 55 lb. The control valves 550 can be controlled using the control panel 530 to provide fluid to the first drive port 112a and the second drive port 112b. For example, if the piston has reached a lower end of the compression chamber 121, a signal can be sent to the control panel and the control panel can switch the control valves 550 to cause fluid to flow to the second flow line 551b to move the piston up. And when the piston has reached the top of the compression chamber 121 the control panel can receive a signal to switch the control valves and provide fluid to the first flow line 551a to move the piston down. Of course, other operation schemes can be used. The operation can be performed manually or automated using one or more sensors and one or more predetermined parameters stored in the control panel.

FIG. 5 depicts a schematic of a system having a hydraulic pumping unit driven by a hydraulic fluid system.

The second system 600 can include like parts to the first system and for brevity those like parts will not be discussed. In the second system 600 a hydraulic fluid system 610 can be operatively connected with the control valves 550 via supply lines 611a and 611b. The hydraulic fluid system 610 can provide the pump head for transferring fluid to the drive chamber 117.

FIG. 6 depicts a schematic of a system having a hydraulic pumping unit driven by an independent motor.

The third system 700 can include like parts to the first system and for brevity those like parts will not be discussed. In the third system 700 the hydraulic fluid system 610 can be operatively connected with the fluid storage tank 570 via the supply lines 611a and 611b. The control valves 550 can be in communication with the fluid storage tank, and the pump and motor 540 can drive a drive pump 740. The drive pump 740 can transfer fluid from the fluid storage tank 570 to the control valves and the drive chamber 117.

In operation, fluid can be selectively provided to the first drive port or the second drive port to move the drive cylinder up or down. The piston can move in the same direction as the drive cylinder. The piston can compress gas in the compression chamber and force the gas out of one of the gas ports, and the piston can simultaneously suck additional gas into the compression chamber via one or more gas ports. When the piston is moved in the other direction the additional gas can be compressed and formed out of the compression chamber via one or more of the gas ports.

The gas compressor can also be used in conjunction with a rod pumping unit to lower back pressure in a casing. The gas compressor can be used to drive natural gas to other gas operated equipment, like a rod pumping unit or electric generators. Other uses for the gas compressor can include use as a vapor extraction unit to remove vapor from storage tank battery systems, as a gathering system to capture gas, vapors, emissions, or the like from multiple sources, to compress steam from steam flood oil units, methane capture systems in a land fill or similar systems, or other suitable uses. The gas compressor can be used to capture or compress vapor, gas, emissions, or the like from any source. Gasses can comprise natural gas, methane, steam, or other emissions that are desirable to compress.

While these embodiments have been described with emphasis on the embodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the embodiments might be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Claims

1. A gas compressor, wherein the gas compressor can be used for compressing gas, vapor, or combinations thereof, wherein the gas compressor comprises:

a. a drive section, wherein the drive section comprises: (i) a drive chamber; (ii) a drive cylinder, located within the drive chamber; and at least two drive ports, wherein the drive ports are in fluid communication with the drive chamber;

b. a lower section, wherein the lower section comprises: (i) a compression chamber; (ii) a piston located within the compression chamber; and (iii) a plurality of gas ports in fluid communication with the compression chamber; and

c. a rod connecting the drive cylinder with the piston.

2. The gas compressor of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor operatively located thereon.

3. The gas compressor of claim 1, wherein the lower section is made from a material capable of withstanding temperatures up to 500 degrees, allowing the gas compressor to be used in high temperature operations.

4. A system for compressing gas, vapor, or combinations thereof, wherein the system comprises:

a. a gas compressor, wherein the gas compressor comprises: (i) a drive section, wherein the drive section comprises: 1. a drive chamber; 2. a drive cylinder located within the drive chamber; and 3. at least two drive ports, wherein the drive ports are in fluid communication with the drive chamber; (ii) a lower section, wherein the lower section comprises: 1. a compression chamber; 2. a piston located within the compression chamber; and 3. a plurality of gas ports in fluid communication with the compression chamber; and (iii) a rod connecting the drive cylinder with the piston.

b. a fluid source;

c. at least one control valve in fluid communication with the fluid source and the at least two drive ports; and

d. a control panel for operating a pump in communication with the at least one control valve.

5. The system for compressing gas, vapor, or combinations thereof of claim 4, further comprising a skid to support the gas compressor and to support the fluid source.

6. The system for compressing gas, vapor, or combinations thereof of claim 4, wherein pump head is provided to the fluid source using a hydraulic fluid system.

7. The system for compressing gas, vapor, or combinations thereof of claim 4, wherein pump head is provided to the fluid source by a drive pump.

8. The system for compressing gas, vapor, or combinations thereof of claim 4, wherein the system draws excess energy from an existing hydraulic fluid system, thereby improving the energy efficiency of the existing hydraulic fluid system.

9. The system for compressing gas, vapor, or combinations thereof of claim 4, wherein the gas compressor operates at less than 10 cycles per minute.

10. A gas compressor, wherein the gas compressor can be used for compressing gas, vapor, or combinations thereof, wherein the gas compressor comprises: a drive section connected with a piston in a compression chamber, and wherein the drive section moves the piston in two directions, allowing gas to be compressed as the piston moves in either of the two directions.