Anti-swirl Fluid Control System for Pump Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Known electric power generation plants experience decreased pump performance due to uneven water pressure and velocity distributions caused by swirling and vortex generation at the pump suction, leading to increased noise, vibration, and maintenance costs, with existing methods providing limited benefits and being expensive.
Innovation Solution
A fluid control system featuring a conical base with radially extending vanes and a subsurface plate with wedges, positioned to direct fluid flow and reduce tangential velocity components, thereby minimizing pre-swirl conditions and vortex formation, which includes a cruciform anti-swirl device and anti-swirl system to align fluid flow with the axial centerline of the pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If circulating water pumps induce swirling action and vortex generation at pump suction, then fluid transfer capability is enhanced, but pump performance decreases due to uneven pressure and velocity distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The pump suction area is segmented into multiple flow paths using guide vanes and baffles, dividing the single large vortex into multiple smaller controlled flow streams. This segmentation allows each path to have more uniform velocity distribution while maintaining overall fluid transfer capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the pump suction area are given different flow characteristics through localized guide vanes and adjustable baffles. The flow control structures create optimal velocity and pressure distributions in specific local zones, ensuring uniform conditions at the impeller inlet while maintaining high overall transfer capability.
2Productivity
If swirling and vortex generation occur at pump suction, then fluid motion is enhanced, but noise and vibration increase
Solution Approach 1:
Guide vanes and flow control baffles are installed upstream of the pump suction to pre-condition the water flow before it enters the pump. These structures eliminate swirling and vortex formation in advance, creating smooth axial flow that prevents the development of harmful vibrations and noise during pump operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potentially harmful swirling motion into beneficial controlled radial flow patterns using guide vanes. The swirl energy that would otherwise cause vibration is redirected into useful radial velocity components that improve fluid transfer while maintaining smooth flow into the impeller.
3Reliability
If known methods are used to reduce swirling and vortex generation, then pump performance is improved, but implementation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses simple, inexpensive flow control components such as adjustable baffles and guide vanes that can be easily manufactured and installed. These relatively simple structures provide effective swirl reduction without requiring complex expensive systems, making the solution cost-effective for retrofitting existing pumps.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces simple intermediary flow control structures (baffles and guide vanes) between the water source and pump inlet. These intermediate components mediate the flow conditions, transforming turbulent swirling flow into smooth axial flow without requiring modification of the pump itself, thereby reducing implementation costs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces the potential for pre-swirl and vortex formation, decreasing noise and vibration, lowering maintenance and replacement costs, and allowing for a more shallow pump pit design, thus reducing capital costs without the need for pump modifications.
Implementation Method 1
a conical base defining a top center portion and a plurality of vanes inserted within at least a portion of the conical base extending radially outward from the top center portion
Implementation Method 2
at least one partition extending from the plate between the wall and the at least one fluid transfer apparatus. The at least one partition cooperates with the plate to at least partially direct fluid flow into the at least one fluid transfer apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid transfer system includes a fluid supply source. The fluid supply source includes at least one wall extending from a floor. The fluid transfer system also includes at least one fluid transfer apparatus positioned within the fluid supply source. The fluid transfer system further includes a fluid control system. The fluid control system includes a plate coupled within the fluid supply source at least partially between the wall and the at least one fluid transfer apparatus. The fluid control system also includes at least one partition extending from the plate between the wall and the at least one fluid transfer apparatus. The at least one partition cooperates with the plate to at least partially direct fluid flow into the at least one fluid transfer apparatus.