Distributed aeration system and control architecture
AssigneeSiemens Energy, Inc.
InventorsRandall J. England, Russell J. Katzer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and method for removing particles from an air source. The air source is passed through multiple rows (R65) of cyclone separators (65), removing particles from the air to create cleaned air and passing the particles through openings (112) in the separators 65 so that the particles fall to a surface (42) below the openings. The cleaned air is directed into a first chamber region (73) above the cyclone separators (65) and moved along a second chamber region (76) positioned between two of the rows (R65) toward a duct (85) for passage out to a compressor (22).
Claims30
An air inlet system suitable for providing cleaned air as an input to a compressor from ambient air received into the system from a surrounding ambient environment, comprising:
- a plenum housing having an upper surface and a lower surface defining a first open subregion between the upper and lower surfaces;
- a plurality of cyclone separators arranged in spaced apart rows, the separators each including a vortex body portion, an intake portion for receiving the ambient air into the body portion, and a vortex finder tube extending from within the body portion and into the first open subregion to provide cleaned air by removing particles from the ambient air and deliver the cleaned air from the body portion into the first open subregion, the system including a second subregion extending between at least two of the spaced apart rows, the second subregion in fluid communication with the first subregion to receive cleaned air for movement along the second region;
- and
- a port positioned to receive for the cleaned air from the second open region for delivery as the input to the compressor.
A method of removing particles from an air source comprising:
- passing the air source through multiple rows of cyclone separators, removing particles from the air to create cleaned air and passing the particles through openings in the separators so that the particles fall to a surface below the openings;
- directing the cleaned air into a first chamber region above the cyclone separators and moving the cleaned air along a second chamber region positioned between two of the rows toward a duct for passage out.
A compressor system providing for removal of particulate matter from cleaned air which enters the compressor, comprising:
- a compressor for generating compressed air with the cleaned air;
- a housing, having an upper surface, enclosing the compressor;
- a vortex air cleaner positioned over the compressor housing, coupled to an intake of the compressor to receive ambient air and provide the cleaned air as an output to the intake during compressor operation, the vortex air cleaner comprising a plurality of cyclone separators positioned to drop particles removed from the ambient air over the upper surface of the compressor housing;
- a supply line coupled to receive compressed air output from the compressor;
- and
- an air sweep coupled to receive a portion of the compressed air and positioned to emit the compressed air over the upper surface of the housing to remove particles dropped from the vortex air cleaner.
(canceled)
A method for removing particulate matter from a compressor system comprising:
- removing particulate matter from cleaned air which enter the compressor by passing air through multiple cyclone separators and removing particles from the air to create cleaned air;
- passing the particles through openings in the separators so that the particles accumulate on a surface below the openings;
- directing a portion of air output by the compressor along the surface over which the particles accumulate to remove the particles for the surface;
- further including performing a blow-off operation of the type used in a system having aeration lines under water to vent a portion of the air output from the compressor during compressor start-up, wherein the step of directing a portion of air output by the compressor to remove the particles from the surface and the blow-off operation are performed by operating one control valve.
A compressor unit in a modular compressor system comprising:
- a compressor having a motor of the type having a rotor and a stator;
- a refrigeration cooling system that controls temperature of a motor drive unit of the compressor, the cooling system including a refrigeration line which sends refrigerant into the motor to cool the stator;
- a blow-off system of the type which vents a portion of air output from the compressor during compressor start-up to limit the rate of line pressure build-up while water is evacuated from aeration lines, the blow-off system including a valve positioned in a supply line to controllably vent compressed air during compressor start-up;
- and
- a housing enclosing the compressor, the refrigeration cooling system and the blow-off system.
A compressor unit having a thermal control system, the unit being of the type which outputs compressed air to an aeration system, comprising:
- an air compressor having an impeller section and a motor for driving the impeller section to generate the compressed air, the motor being of the type having a rotor and a stator;
- a refrigeration compressor;
- an evaporator;
- a heat exchanger;
- one or more electronic components;
- and
- a refrigeration line carrying refrigerant from the refrigeration compressor through the evaporator, through the heat exchanger, through the one or more electronic components and through the motor, wherein the heat exchanger chills a portion of the compressed air output by the air compressor, the system including a line carrying the chilled air to the motor for internal cooling.
A modular compressor system for use in an aeration system, comprising:
- an air cleaning system for receiving ambient air and discharging cleaned air;
- a first compressor unit positioned to receive the cleaned air and to output compressed air, the air cleaning system designed to be placed on top of the compressor unit;
- and
- a second compressor unit also positioned to receive the cleaned air and to output compressed air, the first compressor unit designed to be placed on top of the second compressor unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.