Patent Application
20170266619
If an Application Data Sheet (ADS) has been filed on the filing date of this application, it is incorporated by reference herein. Any applications claimed on the ADS for priority under 35 U.S.C. §§119, 120, 121, or 365(c), and any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of such applications, are also incorporated by reference, including any priority claims made in those applications and any material incorporated by reference, to the extent such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith.
The present application claims the benefit of the earliest available effective filing date(s) from the following listed application(s) (the “Priority Applications”), if any, listed below (e.g., claims earliest available priority dates for other than provisional patent applications or claims benefits under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) for provisional patent applications, for any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of the Priority Application(s)). In addition, the present application is related to the “Related Applications,” if any, listed below.
None
If the listings of applications provided herein are inconsistent with the listings provided via an ADS, it is the intent of the Applicants to claim priority to each application that appears in the Priority Applications section of the ADS and to each application that appears in the Priority Applications section of this application.
All subject matter of the Priority Applications and the Related Applications and of any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of the Priority Applications and the Related Applications, including any priority claims, is incorporated herein by reference to the extent such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith.
The present disclosure relates generally to pressure processing systems, including systems configured to processes fluids while at an elevated pressure. The present disclosure further relates to systems which increase or otherwise alter the pressure within a fluid flow path through rotation of all or a portion of the fluid flow path.
The embodiments disclosed herein will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings depict exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Various features of these embodiments will be described with additional specificity and detail through reference to the drawings, in which:
Systems may be configured for pressure processing of fluids using rotating pressure paths. Fluid disposed radially outward from an axis of rotation may thus have a higher pressure relative to fluid disposed nearer the axis of rotation. Displacement of fluid away from an axis of rotation may thus increase the pressure, while displacement of the fluid back toward the axis of rotation may decrease the pressure and recover the work, or a portion of the work, initially expended to increase the fluid pressure.
Fluid systems which may process fluids at elevated pressures include filtration processes, including water filtration and reverse osmosis, chemical reactions, and so forth.
It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of various embodiments, as represented in the Figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but is merely representative of various embodiments. While the various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated.
The phrases “connected to,” “coupled to,” and “in communication with” refer to any form of interaction between two or more entities, including mechanical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, fluid, and thermal interaction. Two components may be coupled to each other even though they are not in direct contact with each other. For example, two components may be coupled to each other through an intermediate component.
As used herein the term “centrifugal force” refers to an apparent force acting to move a body away from the axis of rotation when the body is rotated about that axis, as viewed from a non-rotating reference frame. This apparent force may be understood as due to inertia of the body as it is accelerated or as a reaction force to a centripetal force which acts on the body toward the axis of rotation.
As used herein, steady-state operation of a system refers to an operational state wherein energy is only input into the system to overcome losses or maintain operation. For example, some systems may use more energy while initially starting the system, for example while initially accelerating a body to a constant velocity. Steady-state operation would thus entail maintaining that body at the constant velocity, only inputting energy to overcome losses such as drag.
A working fluid with the fluid flow path 110 may be subject to a pressure differential due to rotation of the fluid flow path 110 about the axis of rotation 50. In other words, centrifugal force acting on working fluid within a first segment, the pressure developing portion 122, and a second segment, the pressure recovery portion 126, of the fluid flow path 110 may result in increased pressure in a third segment, the pressure processing portion 124 of the fluid flow path 110.
Working fluid may be displaced or flow through the working fluid flow path 110 during operation of the system 100. In other words, the system 100 may be configured as a continuous processing system. Angular momentum may be transferred to working fluid flowing through the pressure developing portion 122 during operation of the system 100. Further, as working fluid leaves the pressure processing portion 124 and flows through the pressure recovery portion 126, angular momentum may be transferred from the working fluid to the fluid flow path 110. Thus, work used to initially accelerate a given portion of the working fluid may be at least partially recovered and used to accelerate additional fluid entering the system 100 while in steady-state operation.
In this way, working fluid pressure at the pressure inlet 112 and pressure outlet 114 may be near ambient pressure while pressure within the pressure processing portion 124 is much higher. The system 100 can thus facilitate recovery of work done on the working fluid to accelerate and compress the working fluid. This recovered work, transferred back into the system 100 as angular momentum, is thus utilized to accelerate working fluid entering the system 100, thus facilitating maintenance of steady-state operation of the system 100.
As shown in
A drive system, such as a motor, may be configured to input angular momentum (i.e., apply torque) into the system 100. The drive system may be configured to provide the work needed to start the system 100 and bring it up to steady-state operation. Furthermore, the drive system may be configured to compensate for losses in the system 100 to maintain the system 100 at steady-state operation. In some embodiments, the drive system may also be configured to decelerate the system when the system is shut down. In some embodiments, the drive system may recover a portion of the energy stored in the rotating system during such a shutdown process.
Thus, in some embodiments, the angular momentum transferred to the working fluid by the fluid flow path 110 may be substantially equal to the angular momentum transferred from the working fluid back to the fluid flow path 110 when the system 100 is in steady-state operation. Due to potential losses in the system 100 (such as friction and/or drag) the angular momentum transferred to the working fluid may be less than the angular momentum transferred from the working fluid when the system 100 is in steady-state operation. Still further, the system 100 may be configured such that only a portion of the work input into the system 100 is recovered, due to factors other than losses (such as leakage or deliberate extraction of a portion of the fluid mass from the high-pressure section).
The pressure of the working fluid within the pressure processing portion 124 will be correlated with the rotational velocity of the fluid flow path 110. The higher the rotational velocity, the greater the working fluid pressure in the pressure processing portion 124. For a fixed geometry and fluid density, the working fluid pressure will be proportional to the square of the rotational velocity.
Notwithstanding high pressure in the pressure processing portion 124, working fluid pressure at the pressure inlet 112 and pressure outlet 114 may be at or near ambient pressure. To facilitate working fluid flow through the fluid flow path 110, working fluid pressure at the inlet 112 may be higher than working fluid pressure at the outlet 114. In some embodiments, for example, working fluid may be pumped to the working fluid flow path. Further, in some instances continuous working fluid flow through the fluid path 110 may be produced by a pressure differential (head) between the fluid inlet 112 and the fluid outlet 114. In some embodiments, this head may be provided by some combination of positive fluid pressure (e.g. from a pump or a gravity head) applied to the inlet and negative fluid pressure (suction) applied to the outlet. In other embodiments, the head may be provided at least in part by locating the outlet farther from the axis of rotation than the inlet, thus creating, in the rotating frame, a drop in potential energy (“height”) between the inlet and outlet. In yet other embodiments. the fluid density may be changed (decreased) between the inlet and outlet (e.g., by the separation and removal of a dense component such as a suspended solid, or by the formation of a gaseous component from a liquid) such that the pressure increase from the inlet to the maximum radius of the flow path is greater than the pressure decrease from the maximum radius to the outlet.
Rotating seals may be used at the inlet 112 and outlet 114 to control flow at these locations from secondary apparatuses such as fluid delivery lines, pumps, and so forth. As fluid pressure may be near ambient at the inlet 112 and outlet 114, any such seals may be configured for use with pressures much smaller than the fluid pressure in the pressure processing portion 124. Further, depending on the design of fluid delivery and recovery systems, seals at the inlet 112 and outlet 114 may not be needed.
In some embodiments, gravity may be utilized the induce flow through the fluid flow path 110 from the inlet 112 to the outlet 114. For example, the fluid flow path 110 may be oriented such that the inlet 112 is located above the outlet 114, with respect to gravity. For example, in the embodiment of
In some embodiments, the pressure developing portion 122 and/or pressure recovery portion 126 may be angled with respect to the pressure processing portion 124 and the axis of rotation 50. In the illustrated embodiment, these angles are shown as angles α. In other embodiments, only one of the pressure developing portion 122 and pressure recovery portion 126 may be angled, or each could form a different angle with respect to the pressure processing portion 124 and the axis of rotation 50. In the illustrated embodiment, when the axis of rotation 50 is parallel with the direction of gravity, these angled portions facilitate flow through the fluid flow path 110.
The fluid flow path 110 may comprise a generally U-shaped flow path, though the pressure developing 122 and pressure recovery 126 portions extending from the base of the U-shape may be angled in some instances. The pressure processing portion 124 may or may not be parallel to the axis of rotation 50, and one or more portions of the fluid flow path 110 may comprise curved segments.
The fluid flow path 110 may comprise a tube, pipe, or other enclosed passage for the working fluid. The fluid flow path 110 may comprise rigid walls to contain working fluid pressure and to interact with the working fluid to transfer momentum to and from the working fluid with minimal losses.
Fluid flow paths 110 having uniform cross-sections or fluid flow paths 110 with different cross-sections in different segments, areas, or portions are within the scope of this disclosure. The fluid flow path 110 may comprise one, two, three, four, or any number of cross-sectional profiles along any length or portion thereof.
The fluid flow path 110 may be formed of a tube or other structure comprising a single material, or may be comprised of two, three, four, or more materials. For instance, in some embodiments, the pressure processing portion 124 may comprise a different material than the pressure developing portion 122 and/or the pressure recovery portion 126. In some embodiments, portions of the fluid flow path 110 closer to the axis of rotation may be configured for use with lower working fluid pressures than portions of the fluid flow path 110 closer to the pressure processing portion 124.
In the embodiment of
The relative positions of the inlet 112 and the outlet 114 may induce a pressure gradient, and therefore working fluid flow, across the fluid flow path 110. For example, in embodiments wherein the inlet 112 is disposed radially inward with respect to the outlet 114, working fluid pressure within the system 100 will promote working fluid flow through the fluid flow path 110. For instance, if the inlet 112 is disposed at the axis of rotation 50 and the outlet 114 is disposed radially outward from the axis of rotation 50, working fluid pressure at the inlet 112 may be near ambient, while working fluid pressure at the outlet 114 may exceed ambient, resulting in expulsion of working fluid from the fluid flow path 110 at the outlet 114.
In some embodiments, the system 100 may further comprise an auxiliary outlet 116. For instance, in some applications a portion of the working fluid may be removed from the system 100 at a point other than the outlet 114. In one example, the system 100 may be configured as a filtration system 100. Portions of the working fluid may be forced through a filter 130 at high pressure, while the remaining working fluid may continue to the outlet 114. Filtered working fluid could thus be collected at the auxiliary outlet 116.
One such application is water filtration. The filter 130 may comprise a semipermeable membrane for reverse osmosis water filtration. The filter 130 is schematically illustrated in the embodiment of
Other potential applications include processes wherein the working fluid undergoes a chemical or other reaction when at high pressures. In such embodiments, the working fluid may be fed into the inlet 112, processed in the pressure processing portion 124, and recovered from the outlet 114. No auxiliary outlet 116 may be needed in such embodiments.
Furthermore, systems comprising multiple auxiliary outputs 116 in differing radial positions are within the scope of this disclosure. Such systems may be configured to separate or isolate certain elements of the working fluid through filtration or other processing at differing pressures.
In some embodiments, two working fluids may be processed together at a high pressure. In such instances, it may be desirable to introduce the fluids at different radial positions of the system 100. Accordingly, the working fluids may be introduced to the system 100 at different pressures. In some instances, working fluids with different specific gravities or densities may be introduced at different radial positions (and therefore different pressures) to reduce stratification of the working fluids while processing.
In some instances the system 100 may also comprise an auxiliary inlet 118. Systems may have neither an auxiliary output 116 nor an auxiliary inlet 118, have both, or have only one of the two. In some embodiments, one or more inputs or outputs may be configured to terminate in concentric fittings around a primary on-axis inlet or outlet. Such a concentric input or output may employ any suitable concentric rotary fluid coupling, either with simple spatially-separated flows or with, e.g., sliding seals, serpentine seals, ferrofluid seals, etc.). In other embodiments additional inputs or outputs may be located away from the rotation axis and use either cylindrical fluid couplings or open “spigot and trough” configurations.
The embodiment of
It will be appreciated by one of skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that the system 200 of
In some embodiments, pressure processing systems within the scope of this disclosure may have multiple flow paths. For example, in the embodiment of
In some embodiments, each fluid flow path 210 may comprise a separate and discrete inlet or outlet. Each discrete inlet and/or outlet may also be in fluid communication with a system inlet 212 and a system outlet 214. The system inlet 212 and system outlet 214 may comprise a manifold or other structure configured to distribute working fluid throughout the system 200. In the illustrated embodiment, a single system inlet 212 and outlet 214 are designated by reference numerals.
Fluid flow paths 210 may be distributed circumferentially around the axis of rotation, in a rotationally symmetric manner. Opposing flow paths may balance each other and the system 200. For example, the flow path designated as 210a and the flow path designated as 210b are disposed on opposite sides of the axis of rotation, such that these flow paths would balance each other during rotation of the system 200.
Each of the flow paths 210 of the system of
As with the disclosure recited in connection with the system 100 of
Manifold systems within the scope of this disclosure, whether associated with the inlet 212 or outlet 214, may or may not distribute or collect working fluid uniformly between the flow paths 210 of the system 200. Further, the manifolds may passively distribute fluid, or comprise an active system, such as actively controlled valves or gates. A computer system may be configured to control an active manifold system. An active manifold system may further comprise sensors, such as mass, force or flow sensors, configured to provide input to a computer or other (e.g., analog) control system.
In some embodiments the system 200 may further comprise a circumferential restraint 240. For example, in an embodiment wherein the flow paths 210 of system 200 have the same profile and shape as the flow path 110 of system 100 (
In some embodiments, the system 200 may comprise a plurality of flow paths 210 disposed generally adjacent each other around the circumference of the system 200. In such embodiments the system 200 may resemble a disc or cylinder comprised of multiple flow paths 210. Flow paths 210 with varied cross-sections (such as narrower but taller near the center of the system, while wider but shorter near the circumference) may be designed to facilitate a constant flow through each fluid flow path 210 while disposing flow paths 210 directly adjacent each other. Such systems may or may not comprise circumferential restraints 240.
In some embodiments the system 200 may further comprise heat exchangers disposed between flow paths 210 or disposed between portions of a single flow path 210. Further, heating elements and or cooling elements (for example, resistance heaters or cooling fins) may be in thermal communication with portions of any flow path 210.
Some systems may also comprise a stirring mechanism in communication with the working fluid. Stirring mechanisms may be active or passive and may be disposed upstream of the system inlet 212 or may be disposed within the fluid flow paths 210. Such systems may be configured to reduce stratification of the working fluid, or may be configured as part of the pressure processing procedure of the system.
The system 300 of
The design of
The embodiment of
In the embodiment of
The loops of the helical pressure processing portion 424 may be somewhat separated, as shown in
The system may further comprise a dividing disc, such as a pressure developing disc 522 configured to rotate with the processing chamber 510. The pressure developing disc 522 may or may not comprise vanes configured to facilitate transfer of angular momentum to the working fluid. Further, and as shown in the embodiment of
Working fluid entering the system 500 through the inlet 512 may thus flow to the pressure developing disc 522 where it is accelerated and flows toward the circumference of the system 500. The working fluid may then flow past a pressure processing portion 524 between a rim of the pressure developing disc 522 and the wall of the processing chamber 510. This may be the highest pressure portion of the system 500.
From the pressure processing portion 524, the working fluid may flow to a pressure recovery disc 526 near the base of the processing chamber 510. In some embodiments, the pressure recovery disc 526 may be an integral portion of the base of the processing chamber 510. The pressure recovery disc 526 may have an outlet 514 at its center. Further, the pressure recovery disc 526 may comprise vanes to facilitate transfer of angular momentum from the working fluid back to the system 500. The pressure recovery disc 526 may also be sloped toward the outlet 514 to further promote working fluid flow through the system 500.
In some embodiments the outlet 514 opening may be larger than the inlet 512 opening to promote working fluid flow through the system 500. Auxiliary outlets, for example disposed in communication with the pressure processing portion 524, are also within the scope of this embodiment. Auxiliary inlets are also within the scope of this embodiment. Similarly, circumferential restraints, heat exchanges, stirring mechanisms, and so forth may be utilized with this embodiment.
In some embodiments, the pressure processing portion 524 may include components which substantially reduce the pressure of a portion of the fluid. For example, a reverse-osmosis filter membrane may pass a portion of the fluid, but with a large pressure drop. Such reduced-pressure fluid may flow out from the pressure processing portion via an auxiliary outlet. In some embodiments, fluid released via auxiliary outlets may be at low pressure, but may retain significant tangential velocity and kinetic energy. Part or all of this kinetic energy may be recovered by any suitable external mechanism. In some embodiments, such an energy recovery mechanism may take the form of an impulse turbine, such as a Pelton wheel, co-axial with the pressure processing system and configured to be driven by the fluid released via auxiliary outlets. In some embodiments, the recovered energy may be returned to the pressure processing system in the form of torque, via a mechanical drive or an electrical drive system (i.e., a generator and motor).
In some embodiments, both the pressure developing disc 522 and the pressure recovery disc 526 may comprise vanes, while in other embodiments, only one or neither of these elements may comprise vanes. In some instances the vanes may extend radially from the center of the disc, while in others they may be spirally oriented, including embodiments wherein vanes on the pressure recovery disc 526 spiral in an opposite direction from vanes on the pressure developing disc 522. Still further, systems having more than one pressure developing disc 522 and/or more than one pressure recovery disc 526 are within the scope of this disclosure.
Any of the disclosure recited in connection with the embodiment of
In addition to the elements recited in connection with the system 100 of
Fluid separating members, analogous to the pressure promoting members 650 are also within the scope of this disclosure. In some instances, fluid separating members may be disposed within the flow paths in the same manner as the pressure promoting members 650, though the fluid separating members may or may not be configured to increase pressure along the flow path. Disclosure herein relating to separation of fluid segments, discussed in connection with pressure promoting members 650, may thus be analogously applied to fluid separating members.
The pressure promoting members 650 may be sized such that they can travel along the fluid flow path 610 while minimizing the degree to which working fluid can flow past the pressure promoting members 650. In some instances, the pressure promoting members 650 may seal against the inside of the fluid flow path 610, due to their size, material attributes, or auxiliary elements such as piston rings or o-rings.
The pressure promoting members 650 may be configured to decrease stratification of the working fluid, by dividing the working fluid into discrete segments.
The pressure promoting members 650 may be more or less dense than the working fluid. In embodiments wherein the pressure promoting members 650 are denser than the working fluid, the pressure promoting members 650 may function to increase pressure in the system 600 by exerting force on the working fluid as the system 600 rotates.
The system 600 may further comprise a pressure promoting member 650 drive mechanism configured to advance the pressure promoting members 650 along the fluid flow path 610. The pressure promoting member 650 drive mechanism may comprise a chain, cable, or other element coupled to the pressure promoting members 650. In some embodiments the pressure promoting member 650 drive mechanism may be configured to maintain a substantially constant quantity of working fluid between adjacent pressure promoting members 650.
Embodiments wherein the pressure promoting members 650 are driven by magnetic fields or field gradients, and wherein the pressure promoting members 650 comprise magnets, magnetizable (i.e. ferromagnetic) materials, or electrically conductive materials are within the scope of this disclosure. Embodiments where the pressure promoting members 650 comprise a magnetizable fluid or ferrofluid are also within the scope of this disclosure. Still further, magnetic drive mechanisms comprising a time-varying distribution of magnetic fields produced by sources external to the flow path, such that the time-varying fields apply axial (along the flow path) forces to the pressure promoting members are within the scope of this disclosure.
In some embodiments the pressure promoting members 650 may not be coupled to a pressure promoting member 650 drive mechanism. In some embodiments the pressure promoting members 650 may be collected at the outlet 614 and returned to the inlet 612 during use. For example, spherical pressure promoting members 650 could be recovered by straining working fluid at the outlet 614 and then returned to the inlet 612. Automated systems, including a conveyor configured to introduce pressure promoting members 650 into the inlet 612 in consistent intervals, are within the scope of this disclosure.
Various methods of using the systems described herein are within the scope of this disclosure, including methods of processing a working fluid while rotating a working fluid flow path to alter the pressure within the flow path. Filtration and various chemical processes are examples of processes within the scope of this disclosure.
Methods of recovering work energy through transfer of angular momentum from a working fluid are also within the scope of this disclosure. Similarly, methods of recovering and utilizing energy used to increase fluid pressure are within the scope of this disclosure.
In some embodiments, methods within the scope of this disclosure include inputting energy to bring a system to steady-state operation and methods of inputting energy to overcome losses in the system during steady-state operation. Working fluid may be pumped or gravity fed into the system. Further, the working fluid may be actively or passively distributed into the system and actively or passively stirred within the system.
In some embodiments, multiple working fluids may be introduced into a system. In some such embodiments multiple working fluids may be pressure processed together, including embodiments wherein the fluids enter the system at different radial positions or at different pressures.
Methods of bringing a system up to steady-state operation, including methods utilizing inert fluids during start-up, are within the scope of this disclosure.
Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can use the preceding description to utilize the present disclosure to its fullest extent. The examples and embodiments disclosed herein are to be construed as merely illustrative and exemplary and not a limitation of the scope of the present disclosure in any way. It will be apparent to those having skill in the art, having the benefit of this disclosure, that changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the disclosure herein.
