Method and Apparatus for Dampening Flow Variations and Pressurizing Carbon Dioxide
AssigneeDenbury Resources Inc.
InventorPeter D. Guerra
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus is provided for maintaining a steady flow rate and pressure of a carbon dioxide stream at high pressure when a low-pressure source of the carbon dioxide varies with time. Liquid level in an accumulator that is sized to accommodate variations in supply rate is controlled by sub-cooling of liquid entering the accumulator and heating in the accumulator, the sub-cooling and heating being controlled by a pressure controller operable in the accumulator.
Claims10
Flow-connected apparatus for decreasing fluctuations in rate of flow of a stream of carbon dioxide from an intermittent or variable rate source of carbon dioxide, comprising:
- a heat exchanger;
- an accumulator connected to the heat exchanger;
- a heat source or sink for supplying heat flux in the heat exchanger and the accumulator, the heat source or sink controlled by a pressure controller responsive to pressure in the accumulator;
- upper and lower liquid level controls in the accumulator, determining an accumulator volume in the accumulator between the liquid level controls, the accumulator volume selected to accommodate predicted variations of output rate from the source;
- a conduit for carrying heated fluid, the conduit disposed between or below the liquid level controls in the accumulator, flow through the conduit being controlled by the pressure controller responsive to pressure in the accumulator;
- and
- a pump connected to the accumulator for pumping carbon dioxide.
A method for supplying carbon dioxide at a steady rate from a source of carbon dioxide at a varying or intermittent rate, comprising:
- providing a stream of carbon dioxide at a pressure at or above its triple-point pressure;
- cooling or heating the stream of carbon dioxide by a heat source or sink to a temperature to produce sub-cooled liquid carbon dioxide;
- injecting the sub-cooled carbon dioxide into an accumulator, wherein the refrigeration to attain the temperature of the sub-cooled carbon dioxide is controlled by a pressure controller responsive to pressure in the accumulator;
- supplying heat to the accumulator from the heat source or sink in the accumulator at a rate controlled by the controller responsive to pressure in the accumulator;
- and
- pumping fluid from the accumulator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.