Pistonless apparatus and system for gas compression and the method for compression of a gas

Abstract

A gas compression system includes a first hollow cylinder with a top and bottom, a gas source for relatively uncompressed gas entering through the top, and a gas collector tank connected by an outlet line. The gas compression system includes a liquid holding tank with liquid connected to the first cylinder bottom and a pump linking the liquid holding tank to the first cylinder bottom. An actuation system controls the liquid and gas input/output, and a controller manages the pump to move liquid at a higher pressure than the relatively uncompressed gas. This vertical movement of liquid compresses the gas, and the controller releases the compressed gas into the collector tank when it exceeds a predetermined pressure. A gas compression system with two hollow cylinders is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gas compression system comprising:
 a first hollow cylinder having a first cylinder bottom and a first cylinder top;   a gas source in fluid communication with the first cylinder top, the gas source providing a relatively uncompressed gas that enters the first hollow cylinder through the first cylinder top;   a gas collector tank in fluid connection with the first cylinder top by an outlet line;   a liquid holding tank that includes liquid in fluid communication with the first cylinder bottom;   a pump in fluid connection with the liquid holding tank and the first cylinder bottom;   an actuation system configured to control input of liquid and relatively uncompressed gas into the first hollow cylinder and output of compressed gas and liquid from the first hollow cylinder; and   a controller configured to control the actuation system, wherein the controller enables the pump to move liquid from the liquid holding tank into the first hollow cylinder through the first cylinder bottom at a higher pressure than the relatively uncompressed gas, thereby causing a liquid surface to move in a vertical direction within the first hollow cylinder, compressing the relatively uncompressed gas into compressed gas, and wherein the controller enables release of the compressed gas into the gas collector tank when its pressure is greater than a first predetermined high gas pressure.   
     
     
         2 . The gas compression system of  claim 1 , wherein the first predetermined high gas pressure is greater than 1000 psi. 
     
     
         3 . The gas compression system of  claim 1  further comprising a pressure sensor operatively associated with the outlet line to measure pressure of a compressed gas. 
     
     
         4 . The gas compression system of  claim 1  further comprising a temperature sensor operatively associated with the outlet line to measure temperature of a compressed gas. 
     
     
         5 . The gas compression system of  claim 1  operated by a method of filling the first hollow cylinder with the relatively uncompressed gas, filling the first hollow cylinder with liquid to compress the relatively uncompressed gas, and then collecting the compressed gas. 
     
     
         6 . The gas compression system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuation system includes a first gas inlet actuated valve and a first gas outlet actuated valve in electrical communication with the controller, the first gas inlet actuated valve being disposed between the first hollow cylinder and the gas source to control entry of the relatively uncompressed gas into the first hollow cylinder and the first gas outlet actuated valve being disposed between the first hollow cylinder and the gas collector tank to control exiting of the compressed gas from the first hollow cylinder. 
     
     
         7 . The gas compression system of  claim 6 , wherein the actuation system further includes a first liquid inlet actuated valve and a first liquid outlet actuated valve in electrical communication with the controller, the first liquid inlet actuated valve being disposed between the first hollow cylinder and the liquid holding tank to control entry of the liquid into the first hollow cylinder and the first liquid outlet actuated valve being disposed between the first hollow cylinder and the liquid holding tank to control exiting of the liquid from the first hollow cylinder. 
     
     
         8 . The gas compression system of  claim 7  operated by a method comprising:
 a) closing both the first liquid inlet actuated valve and the first liquid outlet actuated valve; and 
 b) opening a gas inlet actuated valve and filling the first hollow cylinder to a predetermined low pressure; 
 c) closing the gas inlet actuated valve when the pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined low pressure; 
 d) opening the first liquid inlet actuated valve to introduce liquid into the first hollow cylinder; 
 e) closing the first liquid inlet actuated valve when the first predetermined high gas pressure is achieved; 
 f) opening the first gas outlet actuated valve to allow gas to flow to a gas collector tank; 
 g) closing the first gas outlet actuated valve when the pressure in the first hollow cylinder falls below a predetermined cylinder pressure; 
 h) opening the first liquid outlet actuated valve, followed by opening the gas inlet actuated valve; 
 i) closing the gas inlet actuated valve when the pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined low pressure; and 
 j) cycling back to step d). 
 
     
     
         9 . The gas compression system of  claim 7  further comprising a first gas inlet pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of gas entering the first hollow cylinder and a first gas outlet pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of gas exiting the first hollow cylinder, the first gas inlet pressure sensor being disposed between the first hollow cylinder and the first gas inlet actuated valve and the first gas outlet pressure sensor being disposed between the first hollow cylinder and the first gas outlet actuated valve  48 . 
     
     
         10 . The gas compression system of  claim 9  further comprising a first liquid inlet pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of liquid entering the first hollow cylinder and a first liquid outlet pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of liquid exiting the first hollow cylinder, the first liquid inlet pressure sensor being disposed between the first hollow cylinder and the first liquid inlet actuated valve and the first liquid outlet pressure sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The gas compression system of  claim 1 , further comprising a radiator in fluid connection with the first cylinder bottom and the liquid holding tank, wherein the radiator cools liquid before it enters the liquid holding tank. 
     
     
         12 . The gas compression system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a second hollow cylinder in fluid connection with the gas source, the liquid holding tank, and the pump, the second hollow cylinder having a second cylinder bottom and a second cylinder top, wherein the controller is further configured to enables the pump to move liquid from the liquid holding tank into the second hollow cylinder at a higher pressure than the relatively uncompressed gas, thereby causing a liquid surface to move in a vertical direction within the second hollow cylinder, compressing the relatively uncompressed gas into compressed gas, and wherein the controller enables release of the compressed gas into the gas collector tank when its pressure is greater than the first predetermined high gas pressure in the second hollow cylinder. 
 
     
     
         13 . A gas compression system comprising:
 a first hollow cylinder having a first cylinder bottom and a first cylinder top;   a second hollow cylinder having a second cylinder bottom and a second cylinder top;   a gas source including a relatively uncompressed gas in fluid communication with the first cylinder top and the second cylinder top such that relatively uncompressed gas enters the first hollow cylinder through the first cylinder top and/or the second hollow cylinder through the second cylinder top;   a gas collector tank in fluid connection with the first cylinder top and the second cylinder top by an outlet line;   a liquid holding tank that includes liquid in fluid communication with the first cylinder bottom and the second cylinder bottom; and   a pump in fluid connection with the liquid holding tank, the first cylinder bottom, and the second cylinder bottom;   an actuation system configured to control input of liquid and relatively uncompressed gas into the first hollow cylinder and second hollow cylinder and output of compressed gas and liquid from the first hollow cylinder and the second hollow cylinder; and   a controller configured to control the actuation system, wherein the controller enables the pump to move liquid from the liquid holding tank into the first hollow cylinder and/or the second hollow cylinder at a higher pressure than the relatively uncompressed gas, thereby causing a liquid surface to move in a vertical direction within the first hollow cylinder and/or the second hollow cylinder, compressing the relatively uncompressed gas into compressed gas, and wherein the controller enables release of the compressed gas into the gas collector tank when its pressure is greater than a first predetermined high gas pressure in either the first hollow cylinder or the second hollow cylinder.   
     
     
         14 . The gas compression system of  claim 13 , wherein the first predetermined high gas pressure is greater than 1000 psi. 
     
     
         15 . The gas compression system of  claim 13  further comprising a pressure sensor operatively associated with the outlet line to measure pressure of a compressed gas. 
     
     
         16 . The gas compression system of  claim 13  further comprising a temperature sensor operatively associated with the outlet line to measure temperature of a compressed gas. 
     
     
         17 . The gas compression system of  claim 13  operated by a method of filling the first hollow cylinder with the relatively uncompressed gas, filling the first hollow cylinder with liquid to compress the relatively uncompressed gas, and then collecting the compressed gas. 
     
     
         18 . The gas compression system of  claim 13 , wherein the actuation system includes a first gas inlet actuated valve, a first gas outlet actuated valve, a second gas inlet actuated valve, and a second gas outlet actuated valve in electrical communication with the controller, the first gas inlet actuated valve being disposed between the first hollow cylinder and the gas source to control entry of the relatively uncompressed gas into the first hollow cylinder, the first gas outlet actuated valve being disposed between the first hollow cylinder and the gas collector tank to control exiting of the compressed gas from the first hollow cylinder, the second gas inlet actuated valve being disposed between the second hollow cylinder and the gas source to control entry of the relatively uncompressed gas into the second hollow cylinder, and the second gas outlet actuated valve being disposed between the second hollow cylinder and the gas collector tank to control exiting of the compressed gas from the second hollow cylinder. 
     
     
         19 . The gas compression system of  claim 18 , wherein the actuation system further includes a first liquid inlet actuated valve and a first liquid outlet actuated valve, a second liquid inlet actuated valve, and a second liquid outlet actuated valve all in electrical communication with the controller, the first liquid inlet actuated valve being disposed between the first hollow cylinder and the liquid holding tank to control entry of the liquid into the first hollow cylinder and the first liquid outlet actuated valve being disposed between the first hollow cylinder and the liquid holding tank to control exiting of the liquid from the first hollow cylinder, the second liquid inlet actuated valve being disposed between the second hollow cylinder and the liquid holding tank to control entry of the liquid into the second hollow cylinder and the second liquid outlet actuated valve being disposed between the second hollow cylinder and the liquid holding tank to control exiting of the liquid from the second hollow cylinder. 
     
     
         20 . The gas compression system of  claim 19  further comprising a first gas inlet pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of gas entering the first hollow cylinder and a first gas outlet pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of gas exiting the first hollow cylinder, the first gas inlet pressure sensor being disposed between the first hollow cylinder and the first gas inlet actuated valve and the first gas outlet pressure sensor being disposed between the first hollow cylinder and the first gas outlet actuated valve. 
     
     
         21 . The gas compression system of  claim 20  further comprising a first liquid inlet pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of liquid entering the first hollow cylinder and a first liquid outlet pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of liquid exiting the first hollow cylinder, the first liquid inlet pressure sensor being disposed between the first hollow cylinder and the first liquid inlet actuated valve and the first liquid outlet pressure sensor. 
     
     
         22 . The gas compression system of  claim 19  further comprising a second gas inlet pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of gas entering the second hollow cylinder and a second gas outlet pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of gas exiting the second hollow cylinder, the second gas inlet pressure sensor being disposed between the second hollow cylinder and the second gas inlet actuated valve and the second gas outlet pressure sensor being disposed between the second hollow cylinder and the second gas outlet actuated valve. 
     
     
         23 . The gas compression system of  claim 20  further comprising a second liquid inlet pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of liquid entering the second hollow cylinder and a second liquid outlet pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of liquid exiting the second hollow cylinder, the second liquid inlet pressure sensor being disposed between the second hollow cylinder and the second liquid inlet actuated valve and the second liquid outlet pressure sensor. 
     
     
         24 . The gas compression system of  claim 23  operated by a method comprising:
 a) closing the first liquid inlet actuated valve and the first liquid outlet actuated valve and/or the second liquid inlet actuated valve and the second liquid outlet actuated valve; 
 b) opening the first gas inlet actuated valve and filling the first hollow cylinder to a predetermined low pressure and/or opening the second gas inlet actuated valve and filling the second hollow cylinder to the predetermined low pressure; 
 c) closing the first gas inlet actuated valve when the pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined low pressure and/or closing the second gas inlet actuated valve when the pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined low pressure; 
 d) opening the first liquid inlet actuated valve to introduce liquid into the first hollow cylinder and/or opening the second liquid inlet actuated valve to introduce liquid into the second hollow cylinder; 
 e) closing the first liquid inlet actuated valve when the first predetermined high gas pressure is achieved and/or closing the second liquid inlet actuated valve when the first predetermined high gas pressure is achieved; 
 f) opening the first gas outlet actuated valve to allow gas to flow to the gas collector tank and/or opening the second gas outlet actuated valve to allow gas to flow to the gas collector tank; 
 g) closing the first gas outlet actuated valve when the pressure in the first hollow cylinder falls below a predetermined cylinder pressure and/or closing the second gas outlet actuated valve when the pressure in the first hollow cylinder falls below a predetermined cylinder pressure; 
 h) opening the first liquid outlet actuated valve, followed by opening the first gas inlet actuated valve and/or opening the second liquid outlet actuated valve, followed by opening the second gas inlet actuated valve and/or; 
 i) closing the first gas inlet actuated valve when the pressure in the first hollow cylinder is equal to or greater than the predetermined low pressure and/or closing the second gas inlet actuated valve when the pressure in the second hollow cylinder is equal to or greater than the predetermined low pressure; and 
 j) cycling back to step d). 
 
     
     
         25 . The gas compression system of  claim 13 , further comprising a radiator in fluid connection with the first cylinder bottom and the liquid holding tank, wherein the radiator cools liquid before it enters the liquid holding tank. 
     
     
         26 . The gas compression system of  claim 13 , wherein the gas compression system is configured to compress the relatively uncompressed gas in the first hollow cylinder and the second hollow cylinder for a plurality of cycles. 
     
     
         27 . The gas compression system of  claim 13 , wherein the gas compression system is configured to sequentially compress the relatively uncompressed gas in the first hollow cylinder and the second hollow cylinder for a plurality of cycles. 
     
     
         28 . The gas compression system of  claim 13 , wherein the gas compression system is configured to compress the relatively uncompressed gas in the first hollow cylinder and the second hollow cylinder for a plurality of cycles in parallel. 
     
     
         29 . A reaction assembly comprising:
 a reactor system that oxidizes a hydrocarbon-containing gas, and the gas compression system of  claim 13  in fluid communication with the reactor system.   
     
     
         30 . A gas compression system comprising:
 a first hollow cylinder;   a gas source in fluid communication with the first hollow cylinder, the gas source providing a gas that enters the first hollow cylinder;   a gas collector tank in fluid connection with the first hollow cylinder by an outlet line;   a liquid holding tank that includes liquid in fluid communication with the first hollow cylinder;   a pump in fluid connection with the liquid holding tank and the first hollow cylinder;   an actuation system configured to control input of liquid and gas into the first hollow cylinder and output of gas and liquid from the first hollow cylinder; and   a controller configured to control the actuation system, wherein the controller enables the pump to move liquid from the liquid holding tank into the first hollow cylinder at a higher pressure than the gas, thereby causing a liquid surface to move within the first hollow cylinder, compressing the gas, and wherein the controller enables release of compressed gas into the gas collector tank when its pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure.