Patent Application
20250216069
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The present disclosure relates generally to steam conditioning equipment, and more specifically relates to desuperheaters, such as those used in such steam conditioning equipment.
In both the process and power industries, steam is used to perform mechanical work and to serve as a heat transfer fluid. Unfortunately, both functions are accomplished best with steam properties at opposite ends of a spectrum; dry superheated steam is better for mechanical work, while desuperheated steam near its saturation point is better for heat transfer. Going from the high end of the spectrum to the low end involves steam conditioning.
A desuperheater is a device that injects a controlled amount of cooling liquid into a superheated steam flow in an effort to reduce or control steam temperature. Some desuperheater devices take the form of a venturi, which helps increase the steam velocity resulting in turbulent steam flow, which improves mixing of liquid and steam. However, in low flow steam lines, a single venturi may not speed the steam up enough as it is passing through the venturi to provide adequate mixing.
Applicant has created new and useful devices, systems and methods for desuperheaters, such as those used in steam conditioning equipment. In at least one embodiment, a multi-venturi plate for a desuperheater can include a body, a plurality of venturis disposed through the body, a peripheral flow path disposed in the body, a plurality of supply flow paths disposed in the body, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the body can be disposed at least partially within a steam flow path. In at least one embodiment, the multi-venturi plate can include an inlet end fluidically upstream of an outlet end. In at least one embodiment, the body can include a liquid inlet configured to receive liquid from a liquid supply. In at least one embodiment, the plurality of venturis can include a venturi inlet in fluid communication with the inlet end of the multi-venturi plate, a venturi outlet in fluid communication with the outlet end of the multi-venturi plate, a radially interior surface, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the peripheral flow path can be in fluid communication with the liquid inlet.
In at least one embodiment, each of the plurality of supply flow paths can include an inlet in fluid communication with the peripheral flow path and/or an outlet in fluid communication with the outlet end of the multi-venturi plate. In at least one embodiment, each of the plurality of supply flow paths can have a plurality of outlets in fluid communication with the outlet end of the multi-venturi plate. In at least one embodiment, the plurality of supply flow paths can include a plurality of supply flow paths in fluid communication with the radially interior surface of a corresponding one of the plurality of venturis. In at least one embodiment, the plurality of supply flow paths can include a first set of supply flow paths in fluid communication with the radially interior surface of a corresponding one of the plurality of venturis and a second set of supply flow paths in fluid communication with the radially interior surface of another corresponding one of the plurality of venturis.
In at least one embodiment, the peripheral flow path can be configured to route liquid about at least a portion of the periphery of the body. In at least one embodiment, the peripheral flow path can include a groove disposed in a peripheral exterior surface of the body. In at least one embodiment, the peripheral flow path can be disposed radially between a central longitudinal axis of the multi-venturi plate and a peripheral exterior surface of the body. In at least one embodiment, the body can be circular. In at least one embodiment, the peripheral exterior surface of the body can be a radially exterior surface of the body. In at least one embodiment, at least a portion of one or more of the plurality of supply flow paths can be transverse to the peripheral flow path. In at least one embodiment, the peripheral flow path can be annular.
In at least one embodiment, the body can include one or more surrounding flow paths having one or more outlets in fluid communication with the outlet end of the multi-venturi plate. In at least one embodiment, the surrounding flow path can be in fluid communication with one or more of the plurality of supply flow paths. In at least one embodiment, the surrounding flow path can be in fluid communication with all of the plurality of supply flow paths. In at least one embodiment, the surrounding flow path can be annular. In at least one embodiment, the peripheral flow path and the surrounding flow path can have a common central longitudinal axis. In at least one embodiment, any or all of the surrounding flow paths can surround one of the venturis. In at least one embodiment, the body can include a plurality of surrounding flow paths. In at least one embodiment, each surrounding flow path can have one or more outlets in fluid communication with the outlet end of the multi-venturi plate, such as through the interior surface of the venturis. In at least one embodiment, each surrounding flow path can surround one or more of the venturis.
In at least one embodiment, a cross-sectional flow area of the surrounding flow path can differ from a cross-sectional flow area of at least one of the peripheral flow path, one or more of the plurality of supply flow paths, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, a cross-sectional flow area of the surrounding flow path can equal a cross-sectional flow area of one or more of the plurality of supply flow paths and/or the cross-sectional flow area of the surrounding flow path can differ from a cross-sectional flow area of another one of the plurality of supply flow paths.
In at least one embodiment, the plurality of venturis can include two or more venturis having flow paths of the same size. In at least one embodiment, the plurality of venturis can include two or more venturis having flow paths of different sizes. In at least one embodiment, the plurality of venturis can include a central venturi having a common central longitudinal axis with the multi-venturi plate and/or a plurality of peripheral venturis positioned radially outwardly of the central venturi and/or common central longitudinal axis. In at least one embodiment, the plurality of peripheral venturis can be positioned radially inwardly of the peripheral flow path. In at least one embodiment, the plurality of peripheral venturis can be positioned radially outwardly of the surrounding flow path and/or the peripheral flow path.
In at least one embodiment, a desuperheater can include a desuperheater body having a steam flow path from a steam inlet to a steam outlet, an injection chamber disposed in the steam flow path, a liquid supply conduit in fluid communication with the injection chamber, a multi-venturi plate disposed within the injection chamber, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the multi-venturi plate can include a body having a liquid inlet in fluid communication with the liquid supply conduit. In at least one embodiment, the multi-venturi plate can include an inlet end fluidically upstream of an outlet end. In at least one embodiment, the multi-venturi plate can include a plurality of venturis disposed through the body. In at least one embodiment, the multi-venturi plate can include a peripheral flow path disposed in the body. In at least one embodiment, the multi-venturi plate can include a plurality of supply flow paths disposed in the body. In at least one embodiment, each of the plurality of venturis can have a venturi inlet in fluid communication with the inlet end of the multi-venturi plate, a venturi outlet in fluid communication with the outlet end of the multi-venturi plate, a radially interior surface, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the peripheral flow path can be in fluid communication with the liquid inlet. In at least one embodiment, each of the plurality of supply flow paths can have an inlet in fluid communication with the peripheral flow path, an outlet in fluid communication with the outlet end of the multi-venturi plate, or any combination thereof.
In at least one embodiment, a multi-venturi plate for a desuperheater can be made using additive manufacturing or three-dimensional printing. In at least one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a multi-venturi plate for a desuperheater can include depositing material in a disk shape, defining a body having a plurality of venturis therethrough. In at least one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a multi-venturi plate for a desuperheater can include building up the body by continuing to deposit material defining an annular surrounding flow path in the body, an annular peripheral flow path in the body outwardly of the surrounding flow path, a plurality of supply flow paths in the body and connecting to the surrounding flow path and/or the peripheral flow path, or any combination thereof.
In at least one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a multi-venturi plate for a desuperheater can include completing the surrounding flow path, the peripheral flow path, and/or the supply flow paths by continuing to deposit material. In at least one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a multi-venturi plate for a desuperheater can include drilling a plurality of holes in one side of the body, wherein each of the holes intersects one of the supply flow paths.
In at least one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a multi-venturi plate for a desuperheater can include completing the surrounding flow path, the peripheral flow path, and/or the supply flow paths by continuing to deposit material while defining a plurality of output ports through one side of the body. In at least one embodiment, each of the output ports can intersect one of the supply flow paths. In at least one embodiment, completing the flow paths by continuing to deposit material while defining the output ports can be used in addition to, or in the alternative to, drilling the holes.
The figures described above and the written description of specific structures and functions below are not presented to limit the scope of what Applicant has invented or the scope of the appended claims. Rather, the figures and written description are provided to teach any person skilled in the art to make and use the inventions for which patent protection is sought. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that not all features of a commercial embodiment of the inventions are described or shown for the sake of clarity and understanding. Persons of skill in this art will also appreciate that the development of an actual commercial embodiment incorporating aspects of the present inventions will require numerous implementation-specific decisions to achieve the developer's ultimate goal for the commercial embodiment. Such implementation-specific decisions may include, and likely are not limited to, compliance with system-related, business-related, government-related and other constraints, which may vary by specific implementation, location and from time to time. While a developer's efforts might be complex and time-consuming in an absolute sense, such efforts would be, nevertheless, a routine undertaking for those of skill in this art having benefit of this disclosure. It must be understood that the inventions disclosed and taught herein are susceptible to numerous and various modifications and alternative forms.
The use of a singular term, such as, but not limited to, “a,” is not intended as limiting of the number of items. Also, the use of relational terms, such as, but not limited to, “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” “down,” “up,” “side,” and the like are used in the written description for clarity in specific reference to the figures and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions or the appended claims. The terms “including” and “such as” are illustrative and not limitative. The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “coupling,” “coupler,” and like terms are used broadly herein and can include any method or device for securing, binding, bonding, fastening, attaching, joining, inserting therein, forming thereon or therein, communicating, or otherwise associating, for example, mechanically, magnetically, electrically, chemically, operably, directly or indirectly with intermediate elements, one or more pieces of members together and can further include without limitation integrally forming one functional member with another in a unity fashion. The coupling can occur in any direction, including rotationally. Further, all parts and components of the disclosure that are capable of being physically embodied inherently include imaginary and real characteristics regardless of whether such characteristics are expressly described herein, including but not limited to characteristics such as axes, ends, inner and outer surfaces, interior spaces, tops, bottoms, sides, boundaries, dimensions (e.g., height, length, width, thickness), mass, weight, volume and density, among others.
Applicant has created new and useful devices, systems and methods for desuperheaters, such as those used in steam conditioning equipment. In at least one embodiment, a multi-venturi plate for a desuperheater according to the disclosure can include a body, a plurality of venturis disposed through the body, a peripheral flow path disposed in the body, a plurality of supply flow paths disposed in the body, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the body can be disposed at least partially within a steam flow path, such that steam flows through the venturis where it can be accelerated and mixed with cooling water. In at least one embodiment, the plurality of venturis can be disposed across the steam flow path, thereby accelerating the steam across the steam flow path and providing adequate mixing of the cooling water and the steam across the steam flow path. In at least one embodiment, the plurality of venturis can provide adequate mixing of cooling water and steam at relatively low steam flow rates and/or other steam flow rates.
In at least one embodiment, a multi-venturi plate 100, such as for a desuperheater 200, according to the disclosure can include one or more bodies 110, a plurality of venturis 120 disposed through the body 110, one or more peripheral flow paths 130 disposed in the body 110, a plurality of supply flow paths 140 disposed in the body 110, one or more liquid inlets 150 to receive liquid from one or more liquid supplies, such as a conduit 250, one or more body roughings or outer rings 160 (to which the body 110 can be integral, welded, press fit, or otherwise secured), or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the body 110 can be disposed at least partially within one or more vapor flow paths 202. In at least one embodiment, the plate 100 can include an inlet end 102 fluidically upstream of an outlet end 104. In at least one embodiment, one or more venturis 120 can include a venturi inlet 122 in fluid communication with the inlet end 102 of the plate 100, a venturi outlet 124 in fluid communication with the outlet end 104 of the plate 100, a radially interior surface 126, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the peripheral flow path 130 can be in fluid communication with the liquid inlet 150 for receiving liquid into plate 100.
In at least one embodiment, any or all of the vapor flow path(s) 202 can include a steam flow path. In at least one embodiment, the plate 100 according to the disclosure can be used with superheated steam or in any other implementation involving liquid-to-gas injection. For example, in at least one embodiment, any or all of the vapor flow path(s) 202 can include a natural or other gas flow path. In at least one embodiment, the liquid can be water, such as where a vapor flow path 202 is a steam flow path.
In at least one embodiment, the multi-venturi plate 100 according to the disclosure can reduce a flow area of the flow path 202 to a greater extent than a more traditional desuperheater, which may present a single venturi, and may therefore speed the steam up enough as it is passing through the plate 100 to provide adequate mixing. In at least one embodiment, the plate 100 according to the disclosure can distribute, rather than concentrate, the steam acceleration across the flow path 202, thereby improving mixing of the vapor and the cooling liquid.
In at least one embodiment, any or all of the supply flow paths 140 can include an inlet 142 in fluid communication with the peripheral flow path 130 and/or an outlet 144 in fluid communication with the outlet end 104 of the plate 100. In at least one embodiment, any or all of the supply flow paths 140 can have a plurality of outlets 144 in fluid communication with the outlet end 104 of the plate 100. In at least one embodiment, the plurality of supply flow paths 140 can include a plurality of supply flow paths 140 at an angle, such as perpendicular, to the radially interior surface 126 of a corresponding one of the plurality of venturis 120. In at least one embodiment, the plurality of supply flow paths 140 can include a plurality of supply flow paths 140 at an angle, such as perpendicular, to an angled portion of the radially interior surface 126 of a corresponding one of the plurality of venturis 120. In at least one embodiment, the plurality of supply flow paths 140 can include a plurality of supply flow paths 140 in fluid communication with the radially interior surface 126 of a corresponding one of the plurality of venturis 120. In at least one embodiment, the plurality of supply flow paths 140 can include a first set of supply flow paths 140 in fluid communication with the radially interior surface 126 of a corresponding one of the plurality of venturis 129 and a second set of supply flow paths 140 in fluid communication with the radially interior surface 126 of another corresponding one of the plurality of venturis 120.
In at least one embodiment, any or all of the outlets 144 can be in fluid communication with the radially interior surface 126 of a corresponding one of the plurality of venturis 120. In at least one embodiment, any or all of the outlets 144 can be in fluid communication with a rear portion of the radially interior surface 126 of a corresponding one of the plurality of venturis 120. In at least one embodiment, any or all of the outlets 144 can be in fluid communication with a curved or angled rear portion of the radially interior surface 126 of a corresponding one of the plurality of venturis 120. In at least one embodiment, the outlets 144 can include a first set of outlets 144 in fluid communication with the radially interior surface 126 of a corresponding one of the plurality of venturis 129 and a second set of outlets 144 in fluid communication with the radially interior surface 126 of another corresponding one of the plurality of venturis 120. In at least one embodiment, any or all of the outlets 144 can be in fluid communication with the outlet end 104 of the plate 100. In at least one embodiment, any or all of the outlets 144 can include nozzles to shape or control a stream of the liquid exiting therethrough.
In at least one embodiment, the peripheral flow path 130 can be configured to route liquid about at least a portion of the periphery of the body 110. In at least one embodiment, the peripheral flow path 130 can include a groove disposed in a peripheral exterior surface 112 of the body, such as between the body 100 and the outer ring 160. In at least one embodiment, the peripheral flow path 130 can be disposed radially between a central longitudinal axis 106 of the plate 100 and a peripheral exterior surface 112 of the body 110. In at least one embodiment, the body 110 can be circular. In at least one embodiment, the peripheral exterior surface 112 of the body 110 can be a radially exterior surface 112 of the body 110. In at least one embodiment, at least a portion of one or more of the plurality of supply flow paths 140 can be transverse to the peripheral flow path 130. In at least one embodiment, the peripheral flow path can be annular 130.
In at least one embodiment, the body 110 can include one or more surrounding flow paths 170 having one or more outlets 144 in fluid communication with the outlet end 104 of the plate 100. In at least one embodiment, the surrounding flow path 170 can be in fluid communication any or all of the supply flow paths 140. In at least one embodiment, the surrounding flow path 170 can be annular. In at least one embodiment, the peripheral flow path 130 and the surrounding flow path 170 can have a common central longitudinal axis, such as the central longitudinal axis 106 of the plate 100. In at least one embodiment, the surrounding flow path 170 can have a common central longitudinal axis with the plate 100. In at least one embodiment, the surrounding flow path 170 can be disposed at a center of the plate 100. In at least one embodiment, a surrounding flow path 170 can surround a central venturi 120a having a common central longitudinal axis with the plate 100. In at least one embodiment, a surrounding flow path 170 can surround any or all of a plurality of peripheral venturis 120b. In at least one embodiment, the body 110 can include a plurality of surrounding flow paths 170. In at least one embodiment, each surrounding flow path 170 can have one or more outlets 144 in fluid communication with the outlet end 104 of the plate 100, such as through the interior surface 126 of the venturis 120. In at least one embodiment, each surrounding flow path 170 can surround one or more of the venturis 120. In at least one embodiment, the body 110 can include one or more interconnecting flow paths 180 fluidly connecting any or all of the peripheral flow path 130, the supply flow paths 140, the liquid inlet 150, the surrounding flow path(s) 170, or any combination thereof.
In at least one embodiment, a cross-sectional flow area of the surrounding flow path 170 can differ from a cross-sectional flow area of at least one of the peripheral flow path 130, one or more of the supply flow paths 140, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, a cross-sectional flow area of the surrounding flow path 170 can equal any or all of a cross-sectional flow area of the peripheral flow path 130, a cross-sectional flow area of any or all of the supply flow paths 140. In at least one embodiment, a cross-sectional flow area of the surrounding flow path 170 can a cross-sectional flow area of one or more of the supply flow paths 140 and differ from a cross-sectional flow area of another one of the supply flow paths.
In at least one embodiment, the plurality of venturis 120 can include two or more venturis 120 having flow paths of the same size. In at least one embodiment, the plurality of venturis 120 can include two or more venturis having flow paths of different sizes. In at least one embodiment, the plurality of venturis 120 can include a central venturi 120a having a common central longitudinal axis with the plate 100 and/or a plurality of peripheral venturis 120b positioned radially outwardly of the central venturi 120a and/or common central longitudinal axis 106. In at least one embodiment, any or all of the peripheral venturis 120b can be positioned radially inwardly of the peripheral flow path 130. In at least one embodiment, any or all of the peripheral venturis 120b can be positioned radially outwardly of the surrounding flow path 170 and/or the peripheral flow path 130.
In at least one embodiment, any or all of the venturis 120, the peripheral flow path 130, the supply flow paths 140, the outlets 144, the surrounding flow path 170, or any combination thereof, can have a rounded or circular cross section. In at least one embodiment, any or all of the venturis 120, the peripheral flow path 130, the supply flow paths 140, the outlets 144, the surrounding flow path 170, or any combination thereof, can have a squared or diamond shaped cross section. In at least one embodiment, any or all of the venturis 120, the peripheral flow path 130, the supply flow paths 140, the outlets 144, the surrounding flow path 170, or any combination thereof, can have a rectangular or triangular cross section.
In at least one embodiment, the corners and/or edges of any or all of the venturi inlets 122 and/or the venturi outlets 124 can be rounded, angled, slanted, squared, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the interior surface 126 of any or all of the venturis 120 can be rounded, angled, slanted, conical, squared, or any combination thereof. While the openings or flow paths for steam or gas flow through plate 100 are generally described and shown herein as being venturis for illustrative purposes, in at least one embodiment, any or all of the venturis 120 can be absent and such openings can instead be simple orifices or thru holes. While venturis 120 generally can be expected to better serve the purposes of embodiments of the disclosure versus thru holes, it is completed that one or more thru holes can be utilized in at least one implementation of the disclosure, where separately or in combination with one or more venturis 120.
In at least one embodiment, a desuperheater 200 according to the disclosure can include one or more desuperheater bodies 210 having one or more steam flow paths 202 from a steam inlet 212 to a steam outlet 214, one or more injection chambers 220 disposed in the steam flow path 202, one or more liquid supply conduits 250 in fluid communication with the injection chamber 220, one or more multi-venturi plates 100 disposed within the injection chamber 220, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the plate 100 can include a body 110 having a liquid inlet 150 in fluid communication with the liquid supply conduit 250. In at least one embodiment, the plate 100 can include an inlet end 102 fluidically upstream of an outlet end 104. In at least one embodiment, the plate 100 can include a plurality of venturis 120 disposed through the body 110. In at least one embodiment, the plate 100 can include one or more peripheral flow paths 130 disposed in the body 110. In at least one embodiment, the plate 100 can include a plurality of supply flow paths 140 disposed in the body 110. In at least one embodiment, the venturis 120 can have a venturi inlet 122 in fluid communication with the inlet end 102 of the plate 100, a venturi outlet 124 in fluid communication with the outlet end 104 of the plate 100, a radially interior surface 126, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the peripheral flow path 130 can be in fluid communication with the liquid inlet 170. In at least one embodiment, each of the plurality of supply flow paths 140 can have an inlet 142 in fluid communication with the peripheral flow path 130, one or more outlets 144 in fluid communication with the outlet end 104 of the plate 100, or any combination thereof.
In at least one embodiment, a plate 100, such as for a desuperheater 200, according to the disclosure can be made using additive manufacturing or three-dimensional printing. In at least one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a plate 100, such as for a desuperheater, can include depositing material in a disk shape, defining a body 110 having a plurality of venturis 120 therethrough. In at least one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a plate 100, such as for a desuperheater 200, can include building up the body 110 by continuing to deposit material defining an annular surrounding flow path 170 in the body 110, an annular peripheral flow path 130 in the body 110 outwardly of the surrounding flow path 170, a plurality of supply flow paths 140 in the body 110 and connecting to the surrounding flow path 170 and/or the peripheral flow path 130, or any combination thereof.
In at least one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a multi-venturi plate 100, such as for a desuperheater 200, can include completing the surrounding flow path 170, the peripheral flow path 130, and/or the supply flow paths 140 by continuing to deposit material. In at least one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a multi-venturi plate 100, such as for a desuperheater 200, can include drilling a plurality of holes 144 in one side of the body 110, wherein each of the holes 144 intersects any one or more of the peripheral flow path 130, the supply flow paths 140, the surrounding flow path 170, or any combination thereof, and act as outlets 144 providing fluid communication between the flow paths 130, 140, 170 and the outlet end 104 of the plate 100.
In at least one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a multi-venturi plate 100, such as for a desuperheater 200, can include completing the surrounding flow path 170, the peripheral flow path 130, and/or the supply flow paths 140 by continuing to deposit material while defining a plurality of output holes or ports 144 through one side of the body 110. In at least one embodiment, each of the output ports 144 can intersect one of the peripheral flow path 130, the supply flow paths 140, the surrounding flow path 170, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, completing the flow paths 130, 140, 170 by continuing to deposit material while defining the output ports 144 can be used in addition, or in the alternative, to drilling the holes 144.
In at least one embodiment, the outlets 144 can provide fluid communication between the outlet end 104 of the plate 100 and the peripheral flow path 130, the supply flow paths 140, the surrounding flow path 170, or any combination thereof. For example, the outlets 144 can intersect any or all of the peripheral flow path 130, the supply flow paths 140, the surrounding flow path 170, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the outlets 144 can be in fluid communication with the outlet end 104 of the plate 100 directly or indirectly. For example, the outlets 144 can intersect the outlet end 104 of the plate 100, the venturi outlets 124, the interior surface of the venturis 120, or any combination thereof.
In at least one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a multi-venturi plate 100, such as for a desuperheater 200, can include welding or otherwise securing the body 110 to the outer ring 160, which in some embodiments can create the injection chamber 260. In at least one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a desuperheater 200 can include welding or otherwise securing the liquid conduit 250 to the body 110 or the outer ring. In at least one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a desuperheater 200 can include welding or otherwise securing a flange to the liquid conduit 250. In at least one embodiment, a desuperheater 200 according to the disclosure can be bolted, welded, or otherwise be secured within the steam flow path 202.
In at least one embodiment, a multi-venturi plate for a desuperheater can include a body, a plurality of venturis disposed through the body, a peripheral flow path disposed in the body, a plurality of supply flow paths disposed in the body, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the body can be disposed at least partially within a steam flow path. In at least one embodiment, the multi-venturi plate can include an inlet end fluidically upstream of an outlet end. In at least one embodiment, the body can include a liquid inlet configured to receive liquid from a liquid supply. In at least one embodiment, the plurality of venturis can include a venturi inlet in fluid communication with the inlet end of the multi-venturi plate, a venturi outlet in fluid communication with the outlet end of the multi-venturi plate, a radially interior surface, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the peripheral flow path can be in fluid communication with the liquid inlet.
In at least one embodiment, each of the plurality of supply flow paths can include an inlet in fluid communication with the peripheral flow path and/or an outlet in fluid communication with the outlet end of the multi-venturi plate. In at least one embodiment, each of the plurality of supply flow paths can have a plurality of outlets in fluid communication with the outlet end of the multi-venturi plate. In at least one embodiment, the plurality of supply flow paths can include a plurality of supply flow paths in fluid communication with the radially interior surface of a corresponding one of the plurality of venturis. In at least one embodiment, the plurality of supply flow paths can include a first set of supply flow paths in fluid communication with the radially interior surface of a corresponding one of the plurality of venturis and a second set of supply flow paths in fluid communication with the radially interior surface of another corresponding one of the plurality of venturis.
In at least one embodiment, the peripheral flow path can be configured to route liquid about at least a portion of the periphery of the body. In at least one embodiment, the peripheral flow path can include a groove disposed in a peripheral exterior surface of the body. In at least one embodiment, the peripheral flow path can be disposed radially between a central longitudinal axis of the multi-venturi plate and a peripheral exterior surface of the body. In at least one embodiment, the body can be circular. In at least one embodiment, the peripheral exterior surface of the body can be a radially exterior surface of the body. In at least one embodiment, at least a portion of one or more of the plurality of supply flow paths can be transverse to the peripheral flow path. In at least one embodiment, the peripheral flow path can be annular.
In at least one embodiment, the body can include one or more surrounding flow paths having one or more outlets in fluid communication with the outlet end of the multi-venturi plate. In at least one embodiment, the surrounding flow path can be in fluid communication with one or more of the plurality of supply flow paths. In at least one embodiment, the surrounding flow path can be in fluid communication with all of the plurality of supply flow paths. In at least one embodiment, the surrounding flow path can be annular. In at least one embodiment, the peripheral flow path and the surrounding flow path can have a common central longitudinal axis. In at least one embodiment, any or all of the surrounding flow paths can surround one of the venturis. In at least one embodiment, the body can include a plurality of surrounding flow paths. In at least one embodiment, each surrounding flow path can have one or more outlets in fluid communication with the outlet end of the multi-venturi plate, such as through the interior surface of the venturis. In at least one embodiment, each surrounding flow path can surround one or more of the venturis.
In at least one embodiment, a cross-sectional flow area of the surrounding flow path can differ from a cross-sectional flow area of at least one of the peripheral flow path, one or more of the plurality of supply flow paths, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, a cross-sectional flow area of the surrounding flow path can equal a cross-sectional flow area of one or more of the plurality of supply flow paths and/or the cross-sectional flow area of the surrounding flow path can differ from a cross-sectional flow area of another one of the plurality of supply flow paths.
In at least one embodiment, the plurality of venturis can include two or more venturis having flow paths of the same size. In at least one embodiment, the plurality of venturis can include two or more venturis having flow paths of different sizes. In at least one embodiment, the plurality of venturis can include a central venturi having a common central longitudinal axis with the multi-venturi plate and/or a plurality of peripheral venturis positioned radially outwardly of the central venturi and/or common central longitudinal axis. In at least one embodiment, the plurality of peripheral venturis can be positioned radially inwardly of the peripheral flow path. In at least one embodiment, the plurality of peripheral venturis can be positioned radially outwardly of the surrounding flow path and/or the peripheral flow path.
In at least one embodiment, a desuperheater can include a desuperheater body having a steam flow path from a steam inlet to a steam outlet, an injection chamber disposed in the steam flow path, a liquid supply conduit in fluid communication with the injection chamber, a multi-venturi plate disposed within the injection chamber, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the multi-venturi plate can include a body having a liquid inlet in fluid communication with the liquid supply conduit. In at least one embodiment, the multi-venturi plate can include an inlet end fluidically upstream of an outlet end. In at least one embodiment, the multi-venturi plate can include a plurality of venturis disposed through the body. In at least one embodiment, the multi-venturi plate can include a peripheral flow path disposed in the body. In at least one embodiment, the multi-venturi plate can include a plurality of supply flow paths disposed in the body. In at least one embodiment, each of the plurality of venturis can have a venturi inlet in fluid communication with the inlet end of the multi-venturi plate, a venturi outlet in fluid communication with the outlet end of the multi-venturi plate, a radially interior surface, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the peripheral flow path can be in fluid communication with the liquid inlet. In at least one embodiment, each of the plurality of supply flow paths can have an inlet in fluid communication with the peripheral flow path, an outlet in fluid communication with the outlet end of the multi-venturi plate, or any combination thereof.
In at least one embodiment, a multi-venturi plate for a desuperheater can be made using additive manufacturing or three-dimensional printing. In at least one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a multi-venturi plate for a desuperheater can include depositing material in a disk shape, defining a body having a plurality of venturis therethrough. In at least one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a multi-venturi plate for a desuperheater can include building up the body by continuing to deposit material defining an annular surrounding flow path in the body, an annular peripheral flow path in the body outwardly of the surrounding flow path, a plurality of supply flow paths in the body and connecting to the surrounding flow path and/or the peripheral flow path, or any combination thereof.
In at least one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a multi-venturi plate for a desuperheater can include completing the surrounding flow path, the peripheral flow path, and/or the supply flow paths by continuing to deposit material. In at least one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a multi-venturi plate for a desuperheater can include drilling a plurality of holes in one side of the body, wherein each of the holes intersects one of the supply flow paths.
In at least one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a multi-venturi plate for a desuperheater can include completing the surrounding flow path, the peripheral flow path, and/or the supply flow paths by continuing to deposit material while defining a plurality of output ports through one side of the body. In at least one embodiment, each of the output ports can intersect one of the supply flow paths. In at least one embodiment, completing the flow paths by continuing to deposit material while defining the output ports can be used in addition to, or in the alternative to, drilling the holes.
Other and further embodiments utilizing one or more aspects of the disclosure can be devised without departing from the spirit of Applicant's disclosure. For example, the devices, systems and methods can be implemented for numerous different types and sizes in numerous different industries. Further, the various methods and embodiments of the devices, systems and methods can be included in combination with each other to produce variations of the disclosed methods and embodiments. Discussion of singular elements can include plural elements and vice versa. The order of steps can occur in a variety of sequences unless otherwise specifically limited. The various steps described herein can be combined with other steps, interlineated with the stated steps, and/or split into multiple steps. Similarly, elements have been described functionally and can be embodied as separate components or can be combined into components having multiple functions.
The inventions have been described in the context of preferred and other embodiments and not every embodiment of the inventions has been described. Obvious modifications and alterations to the described embodiments are available to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefits of the present disclosure. The disclosed and undisclosed embodiments are not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the inventions conceived of by the Applicant, but rather, in conformity with the patent laws, Applicant intends to fully protect all such modifications and improvements that come within the scope or range of equivalents of the following claims.
