Barrel Pump Venting Structure for In-Place Pressure Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional centrifugal pumps require disassembly and separation of pressure casings for hydrostatic pressure testing, making the process time-consuming and costly, especially in applications like power plants and refineries where multiple pumps are used in parallel.
Innovation Solution
A centrifugal pump design with a venting device that allows for automatic venting of the stage housing in a fully assembled state, enabling air to escape from the inner pressure chamber and preventing medium backflow through a disk-shaped element guided by a receptacle with a sealing surface, allowing for pressure testing without disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional centrifugal pumps are designed with metallically sealed parting lines between stage casings, then structural integrity and pressure containment are improved, but the ability to perform pressure testing in assembled state deteriorates (requiring disassembly)
Solution Approach 1:
The parting line between stage casings is segmented into two functional zones: a metallically sealed region for pressure containment and a non-metallically sealed venting region for air evacuation. This segmentation allows the pump to maintain structural integrity while enabling pressure testing in the assembled state through the venting opening.
Solution Approach 2:
A venting device with a venting opening and closure element acts as an intermediary mechanism. The closure element selectively opens or closes the venting opening to allow air evacuation during filling or prevent medium leakage during operation, enabling pressure testing without disassembly while maintaining pressure containment.
2Reliability
If stage casings are metallically sealed to prevent medium leakage, then reliability is improved, but the complexity of assembly and disassembly for pressure testing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The parting line is segmented into a metallically sealed portion for reliable medium containment and a non-metallically sealed venting portion. This allows the pump to maintain high reliability for medium containment while simplifying assembly and disassembly operations for pressure testing through the venting opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The venting device with closure element serves as an intermediary that enables controlled access for pressure testing without compromising the metallically sealed regions. The closure element can be operated to allow testing procedures while the metallic seals maintain medium containment reliability.
3Productivity
If pumps are designed for hydrostatic pressure testing in assembled state, then productivity is improved (reduced downtime), but the complexity of the pump structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The parting line is divided into sealed and venting regions, allowing pressure testing in assembled state without requiring complete disassembly. This segmentation improves productivity by eliminating downtime for dismantling and reassembly while adding only minimal structural complexity through the venting opening and closure element.
Solution Approach 2:
The venting device enables the pump to perform its own pressure testing in the assembled state without requiring external disassembly or special tools. The closure element can be operated to allow air evacuation and medium filling, making the system self-sufficient for testing procedures and improving productivity.
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
This design significantly reduces the time and cost associated with pressure testing, enhances operational reliability, and extends the service life of the pump by eliminating the need for frequent disassembly and reassembly, while ensuring a cost-effective and low-risk testing process.
Implementation Method 1
The pump is filled when fully assembled and air can escape from the internal pressure chamber via the venting device via the opening in the stage housing
Implementation Method 2
If the shell pump is filled with the operating medium, for example water, this element closes the opening and thus blocks the exchange of media between the inner and outer pressure chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a centrifugal pump with a barrel casing (1). A plug-in unit (2) is arranged in the barrel casing (1). The plug-in unit (2) has a shaft (3). At least one impeller (4) is arranged on the shaft (3). The impeller is enclosed by a stage casing (5). The stage casing (5) separates an inner pressure space (9) from an outer pressure space (10). According to the invention, at least one venting device (8) is arranged in the stage casing (5).