Patent ID: 7909585
Filing Date: 2011-03-22
Classification: F04B,F17D

Abstract:
1. A natural gas compressor for optimizing the extraction of natural gas from a reservoir or associated gathering system, comprising in combination: (a) a natural gas and liquids flow under pressure supply from a source; (b) a separator, receiving the supply of gas and liquids flow under pressure by a first piping line and separating the natural gas and liquids flow into a gas flow and a liquids flow, the liquids flow directed to a drain and the gas flow directed to a second piping line; (c) a water pump receiving the liquids flow from the drain by a draining line and conveying the liquids to any desired location; (d) a compressor receiving the gas flow from the separator by the second piping line and compressing the gas; (e) a compressor relief piping line, connected to the compressor for relieving any excessive pressure; (f) an after-cooler receiving the compressed gas flow from the compressor by a third piping line, cooling the compressed gas flow and dividing the gas flow into a first cooled gas flow line, a second cooled gas flow line and a third cooled gas flow line; (g) an engine, receiving the first cooled gas flow line from the after-cooler by a sixth piping line and generating power; (h) an end-user connection receiving the second cooled gas flow line from the after-cooler by a fourth piping line; (i) a low-pressure recycle line receiving the third cooled gas flow from the after-cooler by a fifth piping line and conveying to the end-user connection; (j) an exhaust system exhausting the combustion gases from the engine; (k) a hydraulic liquids supply from a source; (l) a hydraulic pump, connected to the hydraulic liquids supply and to the engine, receiving power from the engine and transferring hydraulic pressure to a seventh piping line; (m) a hydraulic motor, connected to the hydraulic liquids supply, to the hydraulic pump, to the engine and controlled by an actuated valve, receiving hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic pump by the seventh piping line and power from the engine; transferring power to the compressor, to the after-cooler and to the water pump by a hydraulic pumping system; (n) a sensor and actuator assembly connected to predetermined and specific locations in the compressor; (o) a valve assembly linked to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh piping lines, to the separator, to the water pump, to the compressor, to the after-cooler, to the low-pressure line, to the engine, to the hydraulic motor and to the hydraulic pumping system; the valve assembly constructed and arranged to automatically controlling and operating the compressor within predetermined ranges of pressure, temperature and flow volume; (p) a hydraulic pilot pump, connected to the hydraulic liquids supply and to the engine, receiving power from the engine and actuating the valve assembly; (q) a computer readable system linked to the sensor and actuator and valve assemblies, to the hydraulic pump, to the hydraulic motor, to the engine, to the separator, to the compressor, to the after-cooler, to the low-pressure line, and to the hydraulic pumping system; the computer readable system constructed and arranged to allow for human-machine interface, and to simultaneously run and control the overall operation of the compressor system, and to allow for the operation of all components through the utilization of one power generating engine source, wherein the piping lines, the valve assembly, the hydraulic pump, the hydraulic motor, the engine, the separator, the compressor, the after-cooler and the low-pressure line are constructed and arranged to allow for a safe and easy removal and installation of any specific component and to allow for multiple functions to be undertaken at one time, accommodating a multitude of operational conditions.