Gas liquid phase separator with improved pressure control
View Patent ↗A gas/liquid phase separator includes a fluid inlet, a vapor outlet, a liquid outlet, and first and second valves disposed in fluid communication with the liquid outlet. Both valves are controllable in response to a fluid level in the gas/liquid phase separator. Both valves are further disposed in parallel fluid communication with each other. A method of controlling a liquid level in the phase separator includes sensing an amount of liquid in the phase separator, sensing a system pressure, and selectively opening a valve disposed in fluid communication with the phase separator to drain the liquid.
1. A gas/liquid phase separator, comprising:
a fluid inlet;
a vapor outlet;
a liquid outlet;
a first drainage valve disposed in fluid communication with said liquid outlet, said first drainage valve being controllable in response to a liquid level in said gas/liquid phase separator; and
a second drainage valve disposed in fluid communication with said liquid outlet, said second drainage valve being controllable in response to said liquid level in said gas/liquid phase separator, said second drainage valve being disposed in a parallel flow configuration with said first drainage valve;
wherein said first drainage valve and said second drainage valve are capable of receiving liquid from said liquid outlet.
2. The gas/liquid phase separator of claim 1 , wherein either or both of said first drainage valve and said second drainage valve is a solenoid valve.
3. The gas/liquid phase separator of claim 1 , wherein said first drainage valve is controllable over a range of flow rates of about 110 L/hr to about 120 L/hr.
4. The gas/liquid phase separator of claim 1 , wherein said first drainage valve is controllable over a range of flow rates of about 105 L/hr to about 113 L/hr.
5. The gas/liquid phase separator of claim 1 , wherein said second drainage valve is controllable over a range of flow rates of about 8 L/hr to about 15 L/hr.
6. The gas/liquid phase separator of claim 1 , wherein said second drainage valve is controllable over a range of flow rates of about 9.3 L/hr to about 13.5 L/hr.
7. A method of controlling a liquid level in a gas/liquid phase separator, the method comprising;
sensing an amount of liquid in said gas/liquid phase separator;
sensing a pressure of gas in said gas/liquid phase separator; and
selectively opening a drainage valve disposed in fluid communication with said gas/liquid phase separator to drain the liquid;
wherein said gas/liquid phase separator comprises at least two drainage valves.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein said sensing of said amount of liquid comprises,
determining a liquid level in said gas/liquid phase separator,
converting said determined liquid level to a signal, and
transmitting said signal to a control device.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein said selectively opening said drainage valve comprises,
comparing said pressure of said gas with a preprogrammed stored pressure value and with said amount of liquid in said gas/liquid phase separator,
making a decision based on the comparison of said pressure of said gas, said preprogrammed stored pressure value, and said amount of liquid,
selecting a drainage valve based on said decision made, and
providing a signal to said selected drainage valve.
10. The gas/liquid phase separator of claim 1 , wherein the first drainage valve and the second drainage valve are controllable in response to a gas pressure.
11. A gas/liquid phase separator, comprising:
a fluid inlet disposed near a lower end of the gas/liquid phase separator;
a vapor outlet disposed near an upper end of the gas/liquid phase separator;
a liquid outlet disposed near a lower end of the gas/liquid phase separator;
a first drainage valve disposed in fluid communication with said liquid outlet, said first drainage valve being controllable in response to a pressure and a liquid level in said gas/liquid phase separator;
a second drainage valve disposed in fluid communication with said liquid outlet, said second drainage valve being controllable in response to a pressure and a liquid level in said gas/liquid phase separator, said second drainage valve being disposed in a parallel flow configuration with said first drainage valve; and
a level transmitting device in informational communication with a float.
12. The gas/liquid phase separator of claim 11 , wherein the float is slidably translatable on a vertically positioned stem.
13. The gas/liquid phase separator of claim 11 , wherein the first drainage valve is controllable over a first range of flow rates, and wherein the second drainage valve is controllable over a second range of flow rates and wherein the first range is different from the second range.
14. The method of claim 9 , wherein each of said at least two drainage valves is controllable over a different flow rate range.
15. The gas/liquid phase separator of claim 11 , wherein the stem further comprises a low level transmitting device.
16. The gas/liquid phase separator of claim 11 , further comprising a filter disposed at the liquid outlet.
17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the drainage valves are disposed in a parallel flow configuration.
18. The method of claim 7 , wherein the drainage valves are disposed in a parallel flow configuration.
19. A gas/liquid phase separator, comprising:
a fluid inlet;
a vapor outlet;
a liquid outlet;
a first drainage valve for receiving liquid from said liquid outlet; and
a second drainage valve for receiving liquid from said liquid outlet, said second drainage valve being disposed in a parallel flow configuration with said first drainage valve.